Messages of Vairagya

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There is not even an iota of bliss in this world. Every thing is

illusory in this universe. All worldly things are generative of pain

only and fraught with all dangers. This life is ephemeral. There is

nothing so baneful as this life which is perishable in its nature.

What beauty is there to be enjoyed in this body which is composed of

blood and flesh and which has a tendency to rot? Even the most

virulent poison is no poison but the sensual object is truly so. The

former kills only one body, whereas, the latter destroys many bodies

in successive births.

 

Fie on this uneven life which is attended with pains, sorrows,

diseases and death. You cannot find one object in this universe which

is sweet and beneficial for one twinkling of the eye at least. Even

the greatest of persons will, in course of time, become dust-the

lowest of the low. Emperors, poets, scientists, orators and

intellectual giants have come and gone.

 

It is very difficult to get a human birth. This precious life is

meant for attaining Self-realisation. Ignorant persons, like innocent

children that do taste again and again sweetmeats which give

sweetness for the time being, indulge themselves in illusory,

transient, sensual pleasures and are caught, again and again, in the

wheel of births and deaths. They are not ashamed to repeat the same

sensual act. What a miserable life they lead! How pitiable is their

lot. !

 

You are elated when you get a son, when you get married, when you get

some sudden fortune or increase in salary; but you feel sorry when

your wife dies, when you lose your money, when you are thrown out of

employment, when you suffer from some acute pain.

 

Now tell me, friend, what do you really find in this illusory world-

happiness or pain? Have you now understood the illusory nature of

this world? This world is a mere show. The mind and the senses are

deceiving you at every moment. You have mistaken pain for pleasure.

There is not even an iota of happiness in this universe.

 

Will your son, or daughter, or friend, or relative, help you when you

are about to die? Have you got one, sincere, unselfish friend in this

world? All are selfish. There is no pure love. But that Lord, your

real immortal friend and father who dwells in your heart, will never

forsake you though you may forget Him. Adore Him in silence, that God

of gods, that Divinity of divinities, Highest of the most high. May

He bless you with His love, wisdom, power and peace!

 

By indiscriminate clinging to wife, children, house, wealth and

property, you have forgotten all about your essential divine nature.

In youth you are enveloped in ignorance; in adult age you are

entangled in the meshes of women; in old age you are groaning under

the burden of Samsara. When you will find time, friend, to do

virtuous actions and worship God?

 

Sensual pleasure is momentary, deceptive, illusory and imaginary. A

grain of pleasure is mixed with a mountain of pain. Enjoyment cannot

bring satisfaction of desires. On the contrary, it makes the mind

more restless through intense craving. Sensual pleasure is the cause

of births and deaths. It is an enemy of peace and knowledge.

 

Abandon these selfish struggles and schemes for amassing wealth. Do

all actions with Nishkama Bhava. March directly to that wire-puller

(God), who is moving these toys of fleshy human bodies, who is

keeping up this big show, who is behind this pageant. In Him only you

will find everlasting happiness and perennial joy. Merge in Him by

practising daily Japa and Meditation.

 

Give up clinging to this illusory life. Take refuge in God. Develop

lasting, sustained dispassion (Vairagya) or indifference to sensual

enjoyments herein and hereafter. You have had countless fathers,

mothers, wives and children in the past. You came alone. You will go

alone. No one will follow you save your own actions. Worship God.

Realise Him. All miseries will come to an end.

 

O Ram! Do you not wish to attain the illimitable kingdom of eternal

bliss and perennial joy? Do you not long to attain everlasting peace

and immortality? Do you not desire to dwell in that sweet abode of

Brahman where there is neither pain nor sorrow, neither hunger nor

thirst, neither fear nor grief, neither doubt nor delusion?

 

Then come, my beloved Ram! Develop, real, lasting Vairagya

(dispassion or mental non-attachment) by looking into the defects of

sensual life (Dosha Drishti) and through association with Sages,

Sadhus and Sannyasins (Satsanga). Serve. Love. Give. Be kind. Be

good. Do good. Practise vigorous Japa and meditation and attain God-

consciousness or Self-realisation (Brahma jnana) in this very birth.

 

May you all possess that master-key, Vairagya to open the realms of

Brahmic bliss!

 

May you all attain Kaivalya or Atma-Svarajya or independence! May you

all dwell in the immaculate Brahmic seat of ineffable splendour and

glory!

 

(Source: Essence of Yoga by Sri Swami Sivananda)