Vairãgya (dispassion)

There is vast difference between one who has no food to eat and thus goes hungry and one who takes up 'vrat' (observance of fast). The former, unable to get any food, remains without eating; whereas, the latter has all kinds of food available at his table, yet, remains without eating. Such a person is said to be on 'vrat' (observing fast)!

Likewise, nobody mistakes the beggars who live on platforms or under a tree or outside Temples and do not worry about a roof over their heads or food or possessions for Mahatmãs or one with lot of 'vairãgya'. We deem those who possess good physique but beg, as indolent. Compassion is born towards those who are physically handicapped or diseased. One does not become Mahatma or dispassionate by mere external appearance.

A wealthy man offering a few lacks in charity is not something highly laudable. The charity performed by a poor man who struggles to run his day-to-day life is highly commendable! Likewise, is not the thought of the Lord by a householder, though for a little while, amidst various trials and tribulations of the householder's life highly laudable than the dhyana performed for several hours by those who have offered their whole life for the Lord? In the same way, one need not be amazed by the 'vairãgya' of a person who has walked out of his family (leaving them to fend for themselves)! Being a man he finds some place below a tree or on the pyol (of a house) to lay his head down in rest. Whatever food he may lay his hands on is only to feed himself. He has no responsibility to feed or take care of any one! He need not worry about anyone. His needs are not much as he is single and a man! He can somehow manage to run his life. However, the Bhakti done by one who is married with children and running a householder's life and is not in the least worried about anything is verily great, indeed!

Innumerable Mahatmas like Tukkaram, Thiagaraja Swami, Purandaradãs, Sadguru Swami who performed Bhakti amidst their duty to protect their wife and children, arrange for food and place of stay for them have led a life of total 'vairãgya'.

An action should be viewed in its depth and not lightly. In Ramayana, what is the greatness of the help that the squirrel had rendered? While a bridge was being constructed across the sea, huge boulders were being thrown into the sea by the strong monkey army. The sea waves were splashing against the shore. Amidst all these the squirrel that was so tiny was rendering its mite in building the bridge. It would have been smashed to death if it were caught in the huge army of monkey who were throwing huge boulders into the sea. If it had been caught in the sea waves none would have known its fate. The service rendered by the squirrel amidst such dangers in verily great. Just wonderful! In the same way, to live with bhakti, 'vairãgya' and Jnana and face life courageously without running away from anything is indeed wonderful. This is verily the philosophy of Rama Avatar.

Let us say that there is a Mahatma who has attained Brahma Sãkshãtkãra (Self-Realisation) and is living under a tree or in a forest or in a cave. Another Mahatma, though a Jnãni, like Sri Krishna, is ceaselessly carrying on some work. As per Vedanta, a Jnãni is a non-doer though he acts. His 'experience'/Bliss is not affected by his involvement in external activities. In such a case the Jnãni who holds himself away in hiding is akin to a pond in a forest. He is of no use to anyone. But, the Jnãni who ceaselessly works is akin to the lake in a City. He benefits many. If all those who have 'Realised' were to run away from the world in hiding it is only 'dry' Bhakti and 'dry' Vedanta without 'anubhooti' (experience) that would be available to us; or the Truth would be misconstrued with wrong and foolish interpretation of great religious Texts.

Let us, therefore, pray for the blessing of Sri Krishna Paramãtma to be like Him - a Jnãni who works ceaselessly!

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