Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha

How Sanyasa originated

[This is an extract from an article titled ‘Sanyasa, Ageless And Ever-New’
that appeared in October 1983 issue of the monthly journal ‘Vicharasetu – The Path of Introspection’]

Wherefrom did the idea of sanyasa emerge? Sages, given to contemplation, derive power to probe into the very core of existence. This develops because of absorption into their very source during meditation. Without waiting to judge or measure, they merge. In that merger, all boundaries stand dissolved, extinct. The inward merger is struck. That from which all measurements proceed, creation commences, time originates. They come face to face with the Creator and His magic which creates. The ability is subjective. It depends upon personal worth and excellence.

Sanyasa is the ultimate design and purpose of human life. Maybe, the last object of pursuit for many. But it is verily so. Creator does his 'work' because of the spirit of sanyasa he is able to preserve in the process. In every form of life, living is meant to outlive. Every time, one lives, he is outliving. Ultimately, your body, which enables living, leaves! In fact, you should outlive your body, before its fall. Does it happen?

Sanyasa asks you: "Will you learn to leave, outlive, before your body leaves? Can you forestall death, realizing your immortality? If not, it is a tragedy. Culture me. That is the answer, remedy."

The ancient Vedic Sages discovered this secret, by inner communion. They divulged it with fervour to their intimate disciples. They sang and danced, filled with the freedom and joy it gave. It was evolved into an ideal, practiced as a culture, disseminated as a staunch pursuit, to be adopted and tried by every one, soon or late. Being the ultimate truth of our life, of the Creator's way, it derived eternal status, power and fame.

Ever since, sanyasa and Sanyasins have adorned our country in each generation. Entry into it is an assortment. As a cherished goal, beloved pursuit, a distress measure, to gain strength for serving people, to instill dharma and impart wisdom into the masses, to glorify the Creator, to exemplify His mercy, to save oneself and others, thus numerous are the inspirations and persuasions of seekers. But all do converge.

Kings who ruled and got disgusted in the end, found solace and answer in sanyasa. Emperors who loved to conquer have laid their weapons down and surrendered at the feet of recluses, accepting them as Teachers and Saviours. Householders leave home and relations to find fulfillment in sanyasa. Sanyasa tops every human endeavor and attainment. That alone can answer the ultimate human needs, making man full at heart and free.

The eternal culture has stood itself, from then till today. It made no organization or creed for support. No institution was meant to be born of it. Spirit of sanyasa institutes itself in individual hearts and minds. By its own beauty, compulsion and worth, it appeals to one and all, faster or slower.

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What Does Gita say to the Seekers

 [This is an extract from the article that appeared in March 1970 issue of the monthly journal
‘Vicharasetu – The Path of Introspection’]

To get the mind to cultivate ‘equalness’ is no easy task. For the mind to become equal is nearly to die, because the mind’s nature and habit are to be ‘unequal always’, to live constantly in unequalness. It is habitually thinking that desire is the motive force for all activity in the world. Pursuit of desire involves the mind in various kinds of efforts. When the effort succeeds, a mood of elation grips it; when it fails, a mood of depression too. Thus grief becomes a chronic symptom or suffering for the mind. A grief-stricken mind will be far from seeing all the things as the same, with equalness.

 Thus to go beyond grief or to avoid it is to go beyond desire as well. Both grief and desire can be avoided only when you are able to reach at an all-contented state. You must, in other words, be able to preserve a state of absolute contentment within you always. How can such a state be had?

It is here that Vedanta, its study and practice come to your help. Nay, they become imperative. For Vedanta’s teaching is that your nature is really blissful. You are not the body, says Vedanta, but the soul, which is unconditioned in all respects. The chance to become grief-stricken, to be dominated by desire, is there only because you remain ignorant of your real nature, of the Soul in you. The cure, therefore, for all griefs and desires is to constantly reflect upon the Soul, its blissful nature and transcendence. In other words, you should introspect constantly with a view to realize Brahman, the substratum of your being. Constant introspection coupled with Jnaana-nishtha will lead you to the realization of Brahman.

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QUOTE FROM POOJYA SWAMIJI

Well, when you understand the need for certain activity and also are conscious of your merits and potential for the activity, then it is the conjunction of your ability and the world’s need that results in the timely activity. No desire is called for. Thus, your understanding has to be updated and the desire replaced by a higher spiritual vision. 

- Swamiji

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