The world has many attractions and we are taken in by the superficial charms of the things we see. There are many objects that are pleasing to the senses and are a constant source of temptation to us. But to be obsessed with them is to choose a path that will only lead us to misery, for none of these pleasures is long lasting.
We might think that our relatives will be attached to us for life, but they too will be with us only so long as we do not expect any help with them.
When we are frail and in need of help, none will come to our rescue. Wise men know that life on earth has many sorrows and disappointments in store for us. So they do their duty without undue attachment to the result or to the people. And they keep their minds focused on moving away from worldly life. They know that to lead the life of a renunciate will ultimately bring them peace, said Malayaman, in a discourse. They know that to seek the feet of God is to cross the ocean of samsara, a point emphasised by Tiruvalluvar in his Tirukkural.
Conquering one’s senses requires great effort on one’s part, and that is why saints command respect.
There is a Tamil work called Innisai, which says we should praise those who take to sanyasa because they guide the world in the right path, they are sagacious, they reveal to us eternal truths and finally impart to us knowledge about God.
Manickavachagar, a minister in the court of the Pandya king, became a saint through his bhakti for Lord Siva, and was praised in many works. Sevvandi Puranam compared Manickavachagar’s greatness to that of the river Ganga.
The author of Thiruarutpa says that even birds were captivated by Manickavachagar’s verses. That being the case, bhaktas are naturally drawn to his verses.
