As a Vedanta monk Shivananda was strong and uncompromising; he always reminded the monks of the ideal: “Renunciation of lust and gold! If you can renounce lust of the flesh and the greed for wealth, everything will be all right… . Above everything, a monk should observe the vow of chastity and poverty… . Purity and guilelessness should be your watchwords. The Master forgives all failings except hypocrisy and selfdeception. Those who play false and take to hypocritical ways do not belong here. The Master does not allow them to remain in the Order; he removes them. Only those who are genuine can stay.” (Source: God Lived with Them)