142
" When we stop loving, we embrace adharma. We judge, condemn and reject people. Invalidate them in hatred. We stop being generous. Like the Kauravas, we become mean-minded, petty, stingy, clingy and possessive. Or like the Pandavas, we become clueless, confused, in search of direction and wisdom. We forget the path to Madhuvan. We entrap ourselves in Kurukshetra. "
― Devdutt Pattanaik , Krishna's Secret
146
" On hearing this story, Yuvanashva told his mother, ‘That was a clever answer. But was it a correct answer? Who is really more beautiful? Lakshmi or Alakshmi?’
Shilavati replied, ‘There are no correct answers. There are only appropriate answers. And it all depends on one’s point of view. If I was Shiva, it would not matter who walked towards me and who walked away from me. Shiva is a hermit, indifferent to peace, prosperity, strife and poverty. Vishnu, however, is a guardian of society. A householder’s god. For him Lakshmi matters. She makes the world bountiful and joyful. Alakshmi, he shuns. "
― Devdutt Pattanaik , The Pregnant King
152
" Arjuna, to expand your mind, use intelligence to draw your mind away from sensuality, so that there is no self-obsession, aggression, arrogance, desire, anger, possessiveness, attraction or repulsion. You are content in solitude, consuming little, expressing little, connected with the world and aware.—Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 18, verses 51 to 53 (paraphrased). "
― Devdutt Pattanaik , My Gita
155
" Mandavya replied, ‘Long ago, Janaka, a forefather of your mother, organized a gathering of Rishis to find out the nature of truth. They discussed and debated the topic for years. Finally, Yagnavalkya concluded, “There is one truth which depends on the point of view, changes with history and geography. It is contextual, impermanent, incomplete. Then there is the opposite kind of truth, independent of all viewpoints, responding neither to history nor to geography. It is permanent and complete and known only to Prajapati, who sees all with his four heads. You and I are not Prajapati. We have only access to incomplete truths. "
― Devdutt Pattanaik , The Pregnant King