We believe this little effort on our side of bringing you these lectures has been of some use and interest to you. Today we share with you the article on Uttam Tyaga based on pravachans of Munishri Kshamasagarji as captured in the text titled Guruvaani.
You may listen the audio clip of the orignial pravachan at youtube.
"Uttam Tyaga" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zKT90_u4Do
UTTAMA TYAGA (SUPREME RENUNCIATION)
· To give up on wicked/ iniquitous qualities and practices, to resolve not to embrace them is known as Tyaga (renunciation/ sacrifice).
· Limiting and regulating one’s possessions is known as Daan (charity). If the donor considers the recipient superior to himself then only Tyaga Dharma is fulfilled.
Any festival, any occasion or for that matter our life is worthwhile only when we keep adding virtues and in the process also get rid of our wickedness/ iniquities. Our qualities, our experience shall gradually grow with our life. To resolve on giving up wicked qualities is called as Tyaga (renunciation).
Renouncing what you have achieved/ acquired is generally what we understand by Tyaga. But Acharyas say that “giving up” may lead to a feeling of arrogance/ pride. Because it leaves one with a feeling “I have renounced this.” Supreme renunciation is in not acquiring at all. But till the time we become perfect in Tyaga dharma, it is prudent and wise to renounce what we have and what we receive as the starting point.
If we are not able to renounce our possessions then we can at least control them (regularize them). Charity done with humbleness is true Renunciation (Tyaga)
When we give to others we can give with an altruistic feeling or to humiliate the other person –in the latter case it is called Tamasik daan. If we give to others with a feeling of getting something in return then it is an investment not Daan (donation). Such a donation would not be renunciation (tyaga). If we do it to further our fame or out in arrogance then it is called Rajasik Daan and it would not be make any registry under under Tyaga Dharma.
When we give with humbleness and have the feeling that I am thankful you accepted something I could offer then we can say we are following the path of renunciation (Tyaga). Vinoba Bhave wrote – “If nobody got hungry then we couldn’t host/ serve anyone. Thankfully you felt hungry & we got a chance to host you, serve you.” The way we give aahar daan to Munis with all respect & humility, is the tradition we must follow. Actually real Tyaga is one in which we feel delighted after giving.
It appears as if the one who never gives shall remain full and would retain while the one who keeps on giving would be emptied. But in reality we see that one who only receives & doesn’t give, ends up being a victim of his receivables. Just like a river that keeps giving (off loading) its water to Seas is hardly ever emptied, but a pond that only receives water & tries to restrict it to itself dries down as soon as summers come.
A Balance between Receiving & Renunciation
First thing to remember is - For best charity/ donation Acharyas tell that we should spend fifty percent of our income on ourselves, twenty five percent for donations & save the rest twenty five percent for our future. Next best is twenty percent for charity & third is ten percent for charity.
We must spend only as much for our consumption/ enjoyment that ample is being saved as Punya (virtue). Punya does not accrue due to consumption, it accrues due to renunciation.
Receive, don’t infringe/ encroach other’s Right
Secondly - Enjoy or receive a thing so that you don’t infringe other’s rights. Acharya Gunabhadra said – if a river is deluged (flooded) in rainy season then it’s always muddy water only. Similarly is someone has amassed too much of wealth then it must be due to corrupt means only.
We should make sure our consumption doesn’t infringe other’s right. For example if there are four members in a house. Let’s assume we bring 250 gm of peas for lunch. After pealing & cleaning let’s say we are left with 200 gm of peas. How much would be the share per person – fifty gm each. The real test is whether we keep this in mind while eating. Otherwise many times we forget about the mother or think that the person who cooks is supposed to give only. Make sure this doesn’t happen. All we have to do is to remember that there are four people and peas are for all four. Don’t let mother feel as if we are leaving your share to you, as if we are doing a favor.
Third point to remember – Till when should we receive? Receive or consume till you can renounce. It is okay to receiving one or two new things if we can resolve to donate an old possession.
Fourth is – Think, Whether to receive or not? We must ask ourselves – is it going to be beneficial for me? Will it cause any good to others also? If we remember this while receiving then we can say that our renunciation is worthwhile. If you have something that is no longer of use to you but can be useful to someone else then give it, donate it – this will make our renunciation worthwhile.
Donate – With Gratefulness
If someone donates with gratefulness then it immediately sends a message – see he is so down to earth even after giving. He keeps on giving all his possessions. What does it convey to us? This conveys that whatever you have in excess and can be useful to others then donate it – that’s the message the donor wants to convey.
Renunciation with Detachment
What did I give? I simply got rid of my load. The excess of burden, which I was not comfortable carrying. I had so much that it was putting me in trouble. By accepting a part of it the receiver has helped me reduce my load – if we develop such a feeling while donating then it is Tyaga Dharma (true renunciation). If we become detached then contentment comes automatically. Not only that but you generally get genuine appreciations and fame, without saying anything. However this, by any chance, shouldn’t be our motive behind Renunciation.
If after renunciation we bear any attachment or longing for the thing we have renounced then it simply nullifies our renunciation. People who take vrat-niyam are felicitated many times, but have you seen someone being felicitated for having grossed a lakh Rupees.
If we develop feelings of gratitude after renunciation then our mind becomes pure and pristine, our life shines with satisfaction and rises to a new level. Let’s pray that we raise our life to a new level by following this process.
Guruvar Kshamasagarji Maharaj Ki Jai!
Our sincere thanks to Yogendra for compiling such a nice article.
Jai Jinendra,
Maitree Samooh
