The Hindu : Detachment leads to true devotion

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 19, 2003

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Detachment leads to true devotion

CHENNAI JUNE 19 . Man is a complex, multi-dimensional being possessing in equal measure desire, acquisitiveness, consciousness, intelligence and divine spark. The problems he encounters are a result of internal conflict between divine principles and baser feelings warring for mastery over ascendancy. Typically in today's world man oscillates between a state of being dominated by materialistic desires on the one hand and dejected denial on the other. Often the latter is as much an aberration as the former.

Such a state of affairs is as a result of improper understanding of the term, renunciation. Man is a creature endowed with optimum freedom. Every man has the right to choose the path he wants to follow; however it is the wisdom with which he exercises the choice that it is relevant to man's spiritual progress and everlasting bliss. Such clarity of thought, which alone can negate spiritual blindness is not an external force to be acquired. Rather it is already latent in man; it only needs to be brought to the fore.

One may argue that it is against human nature to live in the midst of his kith and kin and still be disinterested in them. Undue emotional attachment to anything or person will mutilate the very perspective of the life of a person and will not be helpful either for his material and moral progress or spiritual satisfaction. Detachment refers to realising the transitoriness of all objects, which in turn will help one renounce any sense of possessiveness.

The Bhagavad Gita refers to the absence of attachment and the feeling of "mineness" in respect of son, wife and constant equanimity of mind both during favourable and unfavourable circumstances. Even when one has gained supremacy over sensory objects, familial attachment lurks within one. It is a human trait to identify closely with the joys and sorrows of one's immediate family, driven by the feeling of "mineness".

The option is not to choose between interest and disinterest but between blind passion and value added interest. It is a matter of perspective and making the right choice, said Sri Vidya Sagara Maadhava Tirth in a discourse. Detachment, often achieved by stages, also leads to the subordination of material craving and emotional turbulence culminating in true devotion to God, who guides all those who repose faith in Him.

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