“Serving others selflessly leads to liberation.”
This isn't one of Bhartrihari's verses. It is an idea from commentary on them. For his own words, see the verses we've referenced.
About the poet: Bhartrihari
Bhartrihari is the Sanskrit poet to whom the Shatakatraya is attributed: three collections of about 100 verses each, usually dated to around the 5th century CE. They cover worldly conduct (Niti), love (Shringara) and renunciation (Vairagya), often in a wry, sceptical voice.
More from Bhartrihari
- “Compassion and humility align the soul with the divine.”
- “Humility opens the path to divine wisdom.”
- “Detachment from sensory pleasures strengthens the spirit.”
- “Even kings must submit to the passage of time.”
- “The wise are content with nature’s provisions.”
- “Those who meditate on the divine find true joy.”