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Renunciation Is Essential For Happiness
Hindustan Times
“Action
is basic instinct of human nature. Action is at the root of
human progress and prosperity. Action is implicit in the law
of life. None can really remain inactive even for a moment.
Inaction leads to decay and putrefaction. Not to speak of
culmination of human evolution process, even the very
survival and maintenance of human body is dependent upon
some form of action. Hence, action reins supreme in the
struggle for existence. While the bad karmas necessarily
bind a person, the good karmas too generate ego and pride
resulting in karmic bondage.
The
question arises if the exigency of some form of action is
undeniably true, why should it lead to sorrow and misery?
Just as the actions are essential for human existence so are
they the root cause of all human misery and sorrow. What is
that art of performing action to which Lord Krishna says in
Gita, "just as the blazing fire turns the fuel to ashes,
even so the fire of knowledge turn all actions to ashes?"
Vedanta
preaches the gospel of action(Karma) and exhorts man to work
incessantly. The performance of action is ordained by our
material and spiritual needs. Majority of us undertake
action for deriving sensual pleasures knowing well that the
effect is only transient and such indulgence carry with it
the seeds of sorrow and agony. Even the path of spiritual
fulfillment is fraught with dangers if we fail to get over
the ego-centric desires. The false sense of doership and
attachment is at the bottom of all human malaise. Anything
done with the spirit of attachment, craving for fruit and
under the impulse of ego compulsorily gives rise to
frustration, mental depression and moral degradation.
This does
not mean that inaction is a better option. Any room for such
a thought would be disastrous and catastrophic. The art of
action is best explained by lord Krishna in the Bhagavad
Gita in these words, "Your right is to work only, but never
to the fruit thereof. Be not instrumental in making your
actions bear fruit, nor let your attachment be to inaction."
The
remedy lies in practising renunciation. Renunciation is a
spirit of self-abnegation in everything. It drives away the
last tinge of selfishness in oneself. Self-intrusion gets
replaced by self-extrusion. What seems to be a paradoxical
statement is in fact the quintessence of Vedanta. All talk
of renunciation would be futile so long as one has not seen
and realised one's real self which is same as the Supreme
Soul. Upon this divine experience, a true inner awakening
dawns that one is not this body, mind or intellect. These
three are inert minus Atman which energizes them to perform
their functions. In the process one sheds the pseudo idea of
little self. Egoistic feelings and the spirit of self-aggrandisement
is replaced by self-refinement and the spirit of resignation
and dedication to the Supreme Reality.
Vedanta
declares that it is Brahm-Jnana which helps one inculcate
the spirit of renunciation. It is not giving up of desires
or abstinence from consumption of worldly objects but one's
attitude which reflects and determines the level of
renunciation one has attained. Renunciation is not
renouncing of normal life and retiring to the forest.
Leading normal life of a householder and officegoer, one can
practice it. Renunciation is the pivotal point around which
the wheel of life should revolve. Knowledge of the ultimate
reality and regular meditation on His eternal name will
provide the necessary lubrication. All actions are
sanctified when done with disinterestedness and dedication
to the Lord. Such a person sees inaction in action and
action in inaction and all his actions are burnt/neutralized
in the fire of knowledge and no longer bear any fruit to
torment him in current or future life.
One
cannot learn this art of living by merely undergoing
spiritual courses and listening to theoretical narration of
sermons. It calls for manifestation of inherent divinity. It
is revelation of the sovereign secret. It is only on
initiation into brahm-vidya that the seed of renunciation
will germinate in you. With constant practice, you will feel
happy, peaceful and even attain state of Supreme Bliss in
course of time.”
RENUNCIATION IS ESSENTIAL FOR HAPPINESS
Hindustan Times
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