Hindu Article-Overcome attachment

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CHENNAI, JUNE 17. Devotion to God (Bhakti) is the

foundation of Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism), which is

based on the authority of the Vedas. The philosophical

systems established by the preceptors also emphasise

the importance of Bhakti because these are not just

speculative abstract metaphysics and they find their

fulfilment in the experience of the Absolute. Hence

the Vedanta philosophies are inextricably intertwined

with the practice of religion. This truth is validated

by a perusal of the works of the preceptors. Adi

Sankara in his brief lifetime of 32 years wrote

commentaries on the Brahma Sutra, Bhagavad-Gita and

the Upanishads, and also many independent treatises

and hymns which give practical guidelines for

spiritual progress.

In his discourse, Sri Jayarama Sarma said Sankara had

in his hymn the Bhaja Govindam highlighted the

evanescence of worldly pleasures and how no one except

the Lord would come to one's rescue during the last

moments. In a verse he points out that in a person's

life childhood is spent in frolics and youth in

pursuit of sensual pleasures and in old age life

becomes miserable. He questions why even at this stage

when life becomes an ocean of misery the mind does not

turn to God. An important truth which is easily

forgotten even by those who are spiritually inclined,

which is emphasised in this hymn, is that time does

not wait for anyone. Every passing day and the change

of seasons only reiterate that the end is drawing

nearer. It becomes all the more necessary to develop

devotion to God without wasting any time and also

detachment towards the world.

In life undue importance is given to amassing riches,

as there is a general notion that only wealth will be

useful in old age. It is not true. Sankara says there

will be strain in relationships because of money. In

fact, he emphasises that wealth will give more trouble

than comfort as those who are rich constantly live in

fear of losing it and also find it difficult to trust

anyone including their kith and kin. They will even

suspect the intention of those who are well disposed

towards them. Only man's relationship with God is

eternal and all worldly relations are ephemeral. One

should not become blind to this fact and develop

attachment because this will prove to be one's undoing

eventually. By constantly remembering God and engaging

in devotion to Him it is possible to accept the

vagaries of worldly life with equanimity of mind.

 

copy right: the hindu-daily

 

 

 

 

 

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