Vairagya is dispassion
for the pleasures of this world and of heaven. The Vairagya that is born of
Viveka is enduring and lasting. It will not fail the aspirant. But the Vairagya
that comes temporarily to a woman when she gives birth to a child or when one
attends a funeral at a crematorium, is of no use. The view that everything in
the world is unreal causes indifference to the enjoyments of this world and the
heaven-world also. One has to return from heaven to this plane of existence
when the fruits of good works are all exhausted. Hence they are not worth
striving for.
Vairagya does not mean
abandoning one's social duties and responsibilities of life. It does not mean
abandoning the world, for life in a solitary cave of the Himalayas. Vairagya is
mental detachment from all worldly objects. One may remain in the world and
discharge all duties with detachment. He may be a householder with a large
family, yet at the same time he may have perfect mental detachment from
everything. He can do spiritual Sadhana amidst his worldly activities. He who
has perfect mental detachment in the world is a hero indeed. He is better than
a Sadhu living in a Himalayan cave, for the former has to face innumerable
temptations every moment of his life.
Excerpts from:
Jnana Yoga by Swami
Sivananda
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