The Oath of The Vayuputras (Shiva Trilogy #3)

by Amish Tripathi

‘Often, our immediate reaction to a sudden crisis helps us save ourselves. Our response to gradual crises that creep up upon us, on the other hand, may be so adaptive as to ultimately lead to self-destruction.’

weak people never admit that they are responsible for their own state. They always blame either circumstances or others.

Ati sarvatra varjayet. Excess should be avoided; excess of anything is bad.

if the universe is trying to maintain balance, we must aid this by ensuring that Good is not enjoyed excessively. Or else the universe will re-balance itself by creating Evil to counteract Good. That is the purpose of Evil: it balances the Good.’

It is attachment that makes people forget not only their moral duties but even who they really are.’

The purpose is not the destination but the journey itself. Only those who understand this simple truth can experience true happiness.’

‘Rather than the destination it is the journey that lends meaning to our lives,

we should be under no illusion that we are in control of our own breathing. We should realise the simple truth that we are “being breathed”; we are being kept alive because our journey serves a purpose. When our purpose is served, our breathing will stop and the universe will change our form to something else, so that we may serve another purpose.’

‘People have a tendency to do what they want to do rather than what they should be doing.’

Anger is your enemy. Control it. Control it.