“Another truth I have realized is that the altruistic service only is religion, the rest, such as ceremonial observances, are madness – even it is wrong to hanker after one’s own salvation. Liberation is only for him who gives up everything for others, whereas others who tax their brains day and night harping on “my salvation”, “my salvation”, wander about with their true well-being ruined, both present and prospective; and this I have seen many a time with my own eyes.”
(p.395, V-6, Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Swamiji’s letter to Pramadadas Mitra dated 30th May1897)