The ancient seers of India realized the highest non-dual Truth and thus attained to unity in the religious field; they succeeded in bringing religion to the rank of a perfect and complete science. The methods adopted by them to come to this result were the same as those followed by all the sciences of the present day. This book discusses how the philosophers of India applied these rational methods in coming to their respective discoveries, thus establishing the scientific character of Indian philosophy and religion. The book chiefly makes a comparative study of Samkhya, Vedanta and other systems of thought.
After every happiness comes misery; they may be far apart or near. The more advanced the soul, the more quickly does one follow the other. What we want is neither happiness nor misery. Both make us forget our true nature; both are chains--one iron, one gold; behind both is the Atman, who knows neither happiness nor misery. These are states, and states must ever change; but the nature of the Atman is bliss, peace, unchanging. We have not to get it, we have it; only wash away the dross and see it.
-Swami Vivekananda