In the previous episode, we witnessed an associated discussion on who can become a “Sanyaasin”. This comes from an accomplished Sage, and along with this, we’ve had an offshoot discussion on how this terminology is grossly getting misused. In today’s scenario, several “Ashrams” have popped up in several places. In every “Ashram”, there are several “Sanyaasins” who reside there. The moment one becomes a “Sanyaasin”, he / she should not get anything royally in hand. However, these “Ashrams” take a lot of donations from others, maintain a lot of wealth and feed these “Sanyaasins”. While outwardly this might sound right, the primary aim of being a “Sanyaasin” gets defeated, isn’t it? As per the Vedas, a “Sanyaasin” should obtain food through “Bhiksha” from a “Grihasta’s” house. The “Sanyaasin” has to wander here and there for food, and whatever the person gets as a “Bhiksha”, he / she has to consume only that much food for the day for survival. A “Sanyaasin” should never get food ready made without any effort. However, this is not happening in several “Ashrams”. On the contrary, some “Ashrams” even serve five-star food to “Sanyaasins”. This entirely defeats the purpose! At the same time, “Ashrams” are supposed to be simple places with minimal facilities. No wealth of any sorts should be transacted at “Ashrams”. In today’s world, even this is gone for a toss in many places!
Hence, the point here is that, “Sanyaasam” is not an easy thing to accomplish. One has to strive and struggle for anything and everything, with a sole focus on Bhagawan and attaining “Moksha”. As Sage Devasthaanam explains this to Yudishtra, Sage Vyaasa is giving his accord. He grossly agrees to what all of them have spoken till now. Even Bhagawan Krishna has a say here, and He too adds similar points, in a bid to convince Yudishtra to go back to Hastinapura. Sage Vyaasa says here thus, “Oh Yudishtra! I have a doubt here – Is laziness preventing you from ruling the kingdom?” This blunt statement from Sage Vyaasa surprises Yudishtra. He is clearly taken aback! As Yudishtra has a surprised look on his face, Sage Vyaasa continues further thus, “Oh Yudishtra! Perhaps, after the Kurukshetra battle, you’ve slightly become complacent, because there are not many enemies for you any more! You should not get into the trap of such lazy attitudes! For a king to be successful, several important qualities are required. If you are lazy, you will not be able to administer the kingdom properly. You will end up taking wrong decisions at the wrong time. If you have laziness in you, it will lead you to disaster straightaway! As a king, you should be rich with wealth. You should earn a lot of wealth. You should be ready to donate your wealth to the needy. You should possess the desire to give more and more to those who deserve it. You should have the “Dhairyam” (Courage) to face and overcome any kind of challenge. You should be an embodiment of “Keerti” (Fame). Your name and fame should spread everywhere around the world, for all the “Dharma-Kaaryam” you are performing! Finally, you should have the smartness to run the kingdom the way you want to! Oh Yudishtra! Only if you have these qualities, will you be able to succeed as a righteous king in this world! Moreover, a king is termed to be a righteous administrator only if he has a proven ability to punish wrongdoers! You’ve done it to those people who have gone down the path of “Adharma”. Hence, rather than feeling happy and proud about it, you are trying to demean yourself! This is not expected from a great king like you!”
Saying thus, Sage Vyaasa continues further – “Oh Yudishtra! I’ve been listening to you for a while now. You’ve been talking so much about “Vairaagya”. This is something which I should be talking about as a Sage. I do not understand why you are talking about it. By going to the forest with “Vairaagyam”, you are not going to accomplish anything in life. Going to the forest with “Vairaagyam” is something that I should be doing. This is not for you. Your statement on “Vairaagyam” will be true for you only if you are in the kingdom and discharge your duties correctly as per “Dharma”! Hence, refrain from going into these kinds of thoughts and plans!” Saying thus, Sage Vyaasa too asserts his stance to Yudishtra that he has to rule the kingdom and should think of nothing else other than that. So for today, let us understand up to this point, and in the next episode, we shall continue this discussion further! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 