Miscellaneous - Religion   

Cultivate detachment

CHENNAI: Vairagya (detachment) is the quality of shunning worldly attractions and the more one suffers, the more one learns to be detached from them. Only by cultivating this quality can one hope to seek the path to liberation. But the irony of human existence is such that worldly attractions, in spite of their fleeting and unstable nature, far outweigh the sufferings people undergo and consequently many continue to long for material gains rather than strive towards liberation.

The epic Mahabharata, authored by Sage Vyasa, while unfolding the four goals of life, Dharma (righteousness), Artha (material wealth), Kama (desire) and Moksha (liberation), is a pointer to mankind to strive for the ultimate goal, liberation, said Sri N. V. Devi Prasad in a lecture. In this is available the code of life and a philosophy of social and ethical relations manifesting the whole gamut of human problems. It has detailed references to kingship, political sciences, military techniques, etc., and it has captured the essence of human nature and emotions (anger, jealousy, greed, etc.,) as well. When humankind is bound by attachment, it is sure to lead to unrest and war. Wealth, fame or proficiency in others is the cause of jealousy and enmity among people. Duryodhana was unable to accept Arjuna’s skill in archery and Bhima’s expertise with his mace. He allowed this jealous spark to grow into such proportions that he was unable to control it. Bhishma accepts that his choice to remain with Duryodhana was prompted by material welfare rather than the cause of dharma, and this highlights the truth that mankind is slave to money and power.

The ultimate lesson is that none of these worldly possessions is worthwhile. The anguish of Yudhishtira after the war makes it clear that no kingdom won with so much agony is worthwhile.

Lord Krishna echoes this truth in the Bhagavad Gita when He tells Arjuna that out of many thousands of people, only one may yearn for liberation and out of those who seek freedom, perhaps only one may know the truth of God. The restless mind can be brought under control by constant practice and exercise of dispassion.

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