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True renunciation

CHENNAI : A dilemma that every spiritual aspirant faces when he becomes serious about undertaking scriptural study is losing interest in doing the prescribed duties (Karma). There is no doubt that it is through spiritual knowledge (Jnana) that liberation is possible but to reach this level of maturity one has to undergo the rigour of Karma yoga for disciplining the mind. By shirking one's duties it is not possible to evolve spiritually. Renunciation thus comes in for discussion at this point.

While some understand renunciation as the giving up of all actions motivated by desire, others are of the considered view that it is relinquishing the fruit of all actions. Some declare that all actions contain a measure of evil and hence must be given up. Lord Krishna while recapitulating His teachings finally in the Bhagavad Gita says categorically, "Acts of sacrifice, charity and penance are not worth giving up; they must be performed for they are purifiers of wise men."

In his discourse, Swami Omkarananda said the Gita had clearly stated that acts of sacrifice, penance and charity must be performed without attachment and hope of reward. These acts have been classified into three types: Sattvika, Rajasika and Tamasika. To abandon a prescribed duty through ignorance has been declared as Tamasika. If one gives up his duties for fear of physical strain assuming that all actions cause discomfort, such form of renunciation is Rajasika. Besides, he will not enjoy the fruit of renunciation. Hence doing one's prescribed duties because they have to be performed without attachment to the result and also surrendering the fruit of action is the Sattvika type of renunciation.

As it is not possible for human beings to give up action entirely it is essential to know what true renunciation entails. Lord Krishna hails him who renounces the fruit of his actions as the man of renunciation. The fruit of action that accrues after this life in the case of those who engage in action with desire is described as threefold: welcome, unwelcome and mixed. It is apparent that in the case of those who have renounced nothing is gained. They will be blessed with spiritual knowledge, which alone will lead to liberation from bondage.

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