It is difficult to think of a sentence that identifies Hinduism 's attitude toward the world more precisely. The world's offerings are not bad. By large they are good. Some of them are good enough to command our enthusiasm for many lifetimes. Eventually, however, every human being comes to realize with Simon Weil that " there is no true good here below, that everything appears to be good in this world is finite, limited, wears out, leaves necessity exposed in all its nakedness". When this point is reached, one finds oneself asking even of the best this world can offer, "Is this all?"
This is the moment Hinduism has been waiting for. As long as people are content with the prospect of pleasure, success, or service, the Hindu sage will not be likely to disturb them beyond offering some suggestion as to how to proceed more effectively. The critical point in life comes when these things losses their original charm and one finds oneself wishing that life had something mote to offer. Whether life does or does not hold more is probably the questions that divides people more sharply than any other.
The Hindu answer to the question is unequivocal. Life holds other possibilities. To see what these are we must return to what people want. Thus far Hinduism would say, we have been answering these question too superficially. Pleasure, success, and duty are never humanity's ultimate goals. At best they are meant that we assume will take us in the direction of what we really want. What we really are things that lie at a deeper level.
Hutson Smith
The World's Religion
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