Narayanasramam

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bhoge roga-bhayam kule chyuti-bhayam vitte nripaalaad-bhayam

maane dainya-bhayam bale ripu-bhayam roope jarrayaa bhayam |

saastre vaadi-bhayam gune khala-bhayam kaaye kritaantaad-bhayam

sarvam vastu bhayaamvitam bhuvi nrinaam vairaagyam-evaabhayam ||

Vairaagyasatakam 31

 

Translation:

In enjoyment, there is fear of disease; in family reputation, there is fear of

falling; in wealth,there is fear of kings; in prestige/ pride, there is fear of

misery; in power, there is fear of enemy or adversary; in beauty, there is fear

of old age; in scriptural erudition, there is fear of learned opponents; in

virtue, there is fear of wicked vilifying person; in body, there is fear of

death. For human beings, everything in this world is coupled/associated with

fear. Vair & #257;gya (dispassion towards worldly enjoyments) alone bestows

fearlessness.

 

Points for Introspection:

Everybody wants to be joyful and happy in this world. However, such a state is

rarely had as life is full of anxiety, tension and fear. If we look into

ourselves we find how the mind is fearful every moment regarding even small and

insignificant matters. A student is fearful of getting scolded by the parents or

teachers on not being able to secure good marks. A housewife is fearful whether

the children will be brought up well or even whether others will appreciate the

food she has cooked. A professional is fearful of interaction with colleagues,

boss or subordinates.

 

Our life is full of a number of desires and expectations. We want to possess the

things we desire. Not only wealth or property, but fame, position, importance,

and so on. As we acquire possessions we become attached to them. For fear of

losing these possessions, life becomes

more and more full of anxiety every moment.

 

This shloka points out how everything in life is laden with fear. If we have

things to enjoy, may be plenty of whatever we desire, still we are not happy.

Because associated is the fear whether we will have the health to enjoy. May be

very good food is prepared everyday but

one who has a weak stomach cannot enjoy any of that.

 

If we are proud of our lineage, then there is fear of losing that reputation.

Family members may misbehave or become immoral to spoil the reputation. Suppose

one has acquired a lot of property, the fear will be that the King (or the

Administration) may confiscate the property. If it is not the fear of the King

or Administration, it will be the fear of being robbed by thieves and dacoits.

 

If one has prestige or fame, there is always the fear of being humiliated. If we

are powerful, then we will be scared of the enemy who might be even more

powerful. If we are proud of our beauty, then we are afraid of old age debility.

How much time and energy people spend in protecting their beauty and youth!

 

In scriptural erudition, there is fear of getting defeated by another scholar.

In having merits and qualities, we have the fear that some wicked person may

vilify us. Above everything, as long as we have the body, we are afraid of

death.

 

So, what is there in this world that is not associated with fear? Where lie

peace and joy then?

 

How to get rid of this fear? Is there any state where we will be free of fear?

 

This shloka tells us where lies that abode of fearlessness. It says fear arises

only when we have a sense of possessiveness, when we hold on to things as mine.

All fear is about losing the possessions. So, to be fearless one must have

Vair & #257;gya – dispassion. What does dispassion mean in essence? Dispassion

means desirelessness. Know that nothing belongs to us. Know that every

possession is fleeting, transitory. Know that the sense of possession causes

fear and anxiety. So, the redemption from fear (Abhaya) lies in getting rid of

possessiveness.

 

This is a very powerful shloka. When chanted repeatedly concentrating on the

meaning of the words, it generates intense dispassion towards the ordinary

worldly desires, revealing the transitoriness and perishability of all worldly

gains. It lifts us up to the realm of fearlessness and freedom.