They are free, they are great, who have turned their back upon the world, who have renounced everything, who have controlled their passion, and who thirst for peace. We may gain political and social independence, but if we are slaves to our passions and desires, we cannot feel the pure joy of real freedom.
Swami Vivekananda was talking to his disciples about the importance of renunciation in spiritual life.
Disciple: If it is so, Swamiji, how is it then that the texts on Bhakti say that too much of renunciation kills the feelings that make for tenderness?
Swamiji : Throw away, I say, texts which teach things like that! Without renunciation, without burning dispassion for sense-objects, without turning away from wealth and lust as from filthy abomination, ” never can one attain salvation even in hundreds of Brahma’s cycles”. Repeating the names of the Lord, meditation, worship, offering libations in sacred fire, penance — all these are for bringing forth renunciation. One who has not gained renunciation, know his efforts to be like unto those of the man who is pulling at the oars all the while that the boat is at anchor. ” — Neither by progeny nor by wealth, but by renunciation alone some (rare ones) attained immortality” (Kaivalya Upanishad, 3).
- Swami Vivekananda
Without renunciation, without burning dispassion for sense-objects, without turning away from wealth and lust as from filthy abomination, na siddhyati brahma-śatāntare’pi, “never can one attain salvation even in hundreds of Brahma’s cycles.
