You Are Substantial – In Gita Verse 18.8 Anyone who gives up prescribed duties as troublesome or out of fear of bodily discomfort is said to have renounced in the mode of passion. Such action never leads to the elevation of renunciation.
Bhagavad Gita Verse 18.8 states that anyone who relinquishes their prescribed duties due to the perception of them being troublesome or out of fear of physical discomfort is said to have renounced, in the mode of passion. Such actions do not lead to the elevation of true renunciation. The fundamental purpose of renunciation is to turn towards oneself and achieve self-realisation, not to escape from the responsibilities and challenges of the objective world.
If a person abandons their duties because they fear physical suffering or consider all actions to be forms of sorrow, they do not attain the true fruits of renunciation. This form of renunciation, driven by fear or discomfort, is classified as rajasic renunciation. It is not a conscious or enlightened decision but rather a reaction to external pressures and internal fears.
It is important to distinguish between renunciation born out of fear and that which arises from a deep understanding of life’s nature. For instance, the Buddha realised that life is inherently filled with suffering and chose to renounce the world. However, this was not an act of fear but one of awakening and profound insight. Emulating such renunciation without the same level of understanding and consciousness will not lead to true spiritual growth. The Buddha’s renunciation was unique to his path and should not be taken as a general rule applicable to everyone.
A parable effectively illustrates this concept: a man was so perturbed by his shadow and the sound of his footsteps that he resolved to eliminate both. This individual epitomises the common human inclination to be troubled by intrinsic aspects of oneself that are both natural and unavoidable. Shadows and footsteps are integral to our existence and cannot be eradicated. Similarly, our emotions and desires – such as anger, greed, and lust – are akin to shadows of our being. They are insubstantial and non-substantial, yet they exist because we exist.
The shadow itself is not substantial; you are substantial. It is your substance that creates the shadow. Were you to be like a ghost, there would be no shadow. Angels in heaven are essentially ghosts, entities dreamed up by ideologists and individuals who create ideals. This man was disturbed because he had heard that one becomes a god only when the shadow disappears.
The essence of renunciation is not to escape from these shadows but to understand and accept them. Running away from oneself, whether through physical renunciation or other means, does not lead to true liberation. Acceptance of oneself, including one’s flaws and shadows, is crucial. This acceptance leads to a profound transformation where one stops running away from oneself and begins to grow in consciousness.
Everyone has a unique and individual destiny, much like a thumbprint that is distinct and unparalleled. Embracing this individuality and celebrating it is essential. Condemning oneself or striving to be someone else is futile and counterproductive. The whole of existence has endowed each person with a unique gift, and recognising and cherishing this uniqueness is vital for spiritual growth.
True renunciation involves turning towards oneself and embracing one’s true nature. It is about growing in consciousness and letting go of non-essential and non-substantial aspects of life. This form of renunciation is not driven by fear or discomfort but by a deep understanding and acceptance of oneself and one’s place in the universe.
Krishna calls renunciation should not be an escape from responsibilities or discomfort but a conscious turning towards oneself. It involves accepting and understanding one’s nature, growing in consciousness, and letting go of non-essential aspects of life. This path leads to true spiritual elevation and self-realisation.
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