Dispassion

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Dear Advaitins,

My humble Namaskarams to all.

 

Being given to understand that the topic for this month

is 'Vairagaya' I beg to submit a few of the quotations I have read

over the years for you persual.

Vairagya or renunciation is the desire to give up all transitory

enjoyments ranging from those of an animate body to those of

Brahmahood (having already known their defects) from direct

observation, instructions from scriptures, revered Guru and so forth.

When Vairagya gains firm ground the ability to rest the mind

steadfastly and firmly on the Goal (viz. Brahman) arises

automatically. However, the mind can rest in the Goal only after

having detached itself from manifold sense-objects by continually

observing their defects. Will a person who is desirous of drinking

sweet porridge (Payasam) do so when he comes to know that it is mixed

with poison? So too the aspirant who relentlessly discriminates (who

sees defects in sense objects) would automatically withdraw his

senses from 'seemingly good'sense objects.

However, one desires for anything external only because he has

assumed himself to be the body to which he is embodied.So he feels he

is happy only when the body's needs are met. So if only detachemnt

to the body arises firmly can detachment to things external arise in

one. Let us see the nature of the body. The scriptures come to our

aid by making us see for ourselves the nature of our body.

1) Bodies with nine holes bored in them continue to leak like earthen

pots. No amount of external washing would cleanse them. As for

internal washing it is simply naught.

2) To the deluded fool who loves his body (or that of others) which

is after all made up of bones,blood,urine feacus etc. he will love

hell itself. To him who is not disgusted with the nasty smell that

emanates from his own body what other argument can be adduced for

detachment.

3) The body is all impurity and the One within is all purity.

Knowing that these are poles apart to which of them should be purity

be ascribed.

4) Shunning from a safe distance the body which has come from

impurities of the parents and itself consists of flesh and impurities-

be thou Brahman and realise the consummation of thy life.

5) Says Saint Thyagaraja-Do not oh! Mind get deluded at the personal

appearance of a woman (Man). If you will only see their inside you

will realise that it is only a cloak over filth.

 

I shall stop for now and continue later.

 

Lord Vishnu alone dwells in you and me.

 

Namaste.

 

At His Holy Feet,

ksrinivasan.