Divine grace

=== Hinduism ===
{{main|Kripa (philosophy)}}
[[Hindu]] devotional or [[bhakti]] literature available throughout India and Nepal is replete with references to grace ([[Kripa (philosophy)|kripa]]) as the ultimate key required for spiritual self-realization.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060512000536/http://www.hindu.com/2005/06/30/stories/2005063000400900.htm Descent of divine grace] ''[[The Hindu]]'', June 30, 2005.</ref>{{Additional citation needed|date=September 2011}} Some, such as the ancient sage [[Vasistha]], in his classical work [[Yoga Vasistha]], considered it to be the only way to transcend the bondage of lifetimes of [[karma]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.venkatesaya.com/241_vasistha01_months_tags/index.vasistha01_months_tags.php?m=12&d=27|title=Yoga Vasistha - Daily Readings - Swami Venkatesananda|last=venkatesananda|website=www.venkatesaya.com|access-date=2011-10-28|archive-date=2013-04-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402210124/http://www.venkatesaya.com/241_vasistha01_months_tags/index.vasistha01_months_tags.php?m=12&d=27|url-status=dead}}</ref>
One [[Hindu philosophy|Hindu philosopher]], [[Madhvacharya]],  held that grace was not a gift from God, but rather must be earned.<ref>''Great Thinkers of the Eastern World'', Ian McGreal.</ref>