‘Renunciation of all possessions is Ahimsa, and appropriation of all possessions is Himsa’
The word renunciation means to cast aside, to give up, to get rid of, to discard and to leave. Some wise men have said:
‘In this world, it is not what we take up but what we give up, that makes us rich.'
Renunciation has been assigned a great significance in the path of salvation propounded by the omniscient Lord Jinendra.
Uttam Tyag means abstention from the greed of worldly possessions and the virtue of freedom from attachments.
When tasty fruits ripen on trees, they drop them on the ground below without greed or a sense of possessions. How great is the debt of trees on us! Likewise, a person wins glory and dignity only when he distributes among the needy the huge wealth accumulated by him. So long as the clouds hold water, they look dark in appearance; but as soon as they start raining i.e., renounce water drop by drop, they begin to look snow white. Similarly, till a person accumulates worldly possessions his inner soul blackened with anger like passions seems a burden to him. But no sooner had the same person starts giving in charity his vast wealth accumulated by fair means or foul than his inner feels relieved of a burden; for it results in the purification of his thoughts.
Renunciation affords peace. It is a psychological truth. Only a large-hearted and liberal-minded person can donate. The more a donor
renounces worldly possessions, the greater is the number of ripples of happiness that arise in his heart. Therefore, it is essential
for the lucky affluent persons to constantly follow the practice of giving charities forever in life. If rainwater in a river goes on
accumulating and there is no outlet i.e., the river does not supply water to the fields and oceans; it will be flooded. Water overflowing
both its banks will create havoc all around resulting in the ruin of crops and vast costly properties and many innocent lives will meet
an untimely death. The sun has been illuminating the whole world ever since the earth came into existence by casting in numerous dazzling
rays which give both light and warmth to one and all. If the sun does not shed its luminous rays, no living creature, no vegetation, and
no plant will survive on earth. Likewise, if out of a feeling of selfishness a man adopts the tendency of accumulating wealth, the
financial disparities in the world will go on increasing and create an economic crisis, which may result in bloodshed. Hence, such a
worshiper of mammon will be called a traitor and a bloodsucker of the poor.
The great poet Reidhu describes the supreme virtue of renunciation as:
- Renunciation is a part and parcel of religion. The two are inseparable. A perfectly purified soul dedicated to the virtue
of penance should practice with full devotion the supreme virtue of renunciation within his capacity. That paves the way
to the attainment of a superior state of existence in the next birth.
- A horde of vices is driven away by renunciation; it spreads the shining glory and fame of a person; consequently,
an enemy surrenders and falls at his feet. One gets the bliss of the happy land of Eldorado through renunciation.
- A man devoted to renunciation should regularly give charity humbly and affectionately using auspicious words. First of all,
he should give ‘Abhay Daan’ i.e., save the lives of all living beings in danger; doing so vanquishes the miseries related to the
other world.
- Besides, one should give ‘Shastra Dana’ as well i.e., he should distribute among the people sacred books and scriptures, which
impart and spread religious knowledge. He should make free distribution of medicines also which cure living beings of all bodily
diseases and destroy all physical ailments root and branch.
- Giving food to the hungry and the poor i.e., ‘Ahar Daan’ brings peace and prosperity in its return. These are four types of
charities (four-fold renunciation) practiced from times immemorial. In other words, putting an end to vicious thoughts practices
renunciation. In short, the virtue of renunciation consists in doing all these.
- We should give alms to the miserable and show reverence to the talented and virtuous persons. We should cherish the sole feeling of
mercy and meditate in our mind for the attainment of Perfect Faith.
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Today is the eighth day of Das Lakshana Parva. Many of you will start fasting from today with a desire to do Atham (3 days of fasting).
I wish you sukh sata. Let us learn about the eighth Dharma, Uttam Tyag.
