The human being is a bird and its fight is life. It is through the fight of life, oh human being, that you can soar above the fearsome mountain range of death. Surrender yourself to Shiva and Shakti. They will bless you with self-confidence and fill you with immeasurable strength. Neither will you be tired by life nor will you be defeated by death. You will roam unfettered through the limitless expanse of creation and play for eternity in the embrace of ambrosial bliss. Come, let me gently whisper the magical mantra of life into your ears – that mantra is ‘renunciation’.
Making the independent choice of surrendering yourself completely is the true meaning of renunciation. This is the most sacred and highest ideal, the best emotion. This is the ultimate duty and responsibility. Then where is the question of which one is greater, emotion or duty? We can completely transform life with supreme renunciation which is a duty infused with feeling as well as a feeling of responsibility at the same time. We have to lovingly offer our whole life at the altar of renunciation. Love is inherent in renunciation and renunciation is the luminous embodiment of love.
Renunciation should be full of discrimination. Is blind renunciation really renunciation? Pride in renunciation darkens the heart of the renunciate. ‘I am renouncing my all’ – having a fleeting sentiment like this even in a dream indicates a petty mind. Steadfast unwavering adherence to the principles one has committed oneself to, devoting oneself totally to that ideal till one’s last breath and remaining faithful over as many lifetimes as may be needed, protecting the pure resolve from being sullied by negative qualities – this is real renunciation.
The heart should overflow with joy and elation with the glory of renunciation, without a trace of doubt, restlessness or sorrow.
The renunciate should live life like a sharp sword. Holding the sword as an ideal, the whole life should be surrendered to renunciation. Once a sword is firmly grasped, it never opposes the person who wields it. There is full faith that its respect and honour will be upheld by the master and so once it belongs to the master, it serves with total fidelity. Even if it is broken into pieces, the sword does not even as much as let out a sigh. When offered with unstinting will, surrender can be enjoyed in its full glory, however, the fruit of enjoyment is sorrow whereas surrender and renunciation yield the fruit of joy and happiness. The former has arrogance while the latter has true pride and glory. It is said:
Neither be disenchanted with life, Nor be attached to life.
This is how we should live our lives. While living amidst the happiness and enjoyment of life, we should remain detached. We do not have to run away from life but keep away from mundane worldliness. We do not have to fee from temptations, rather we have to rise above them.
Shunning life or reviling worldly people is not renunciation. The middle path between disenchantment and attraction is renunciation. Not limiting one’s desires or attachments to specific objects or people but having an equal and expansive concern for everyone and everything is the real meaning of renunciation.
We have to rend asunder the ties of family, society and the world through renunciation. Breaking free from the cage of the world with its iron bars of happiness and prestige, to sing the songs of immortality, to taste the myriad favours of freedom, to travel far, far, far into the vast forest where everything is eternal : ‘Fly away from death, oh free bird’, chanting this sacred pure mantra, keep on and persevere till we arrive at that holy eternal place.