It is so many times mentioned in Bhagavadgeeta in different chapters: Naiva kincit karomeeti yukto manyeta tattvavit. The tattvajnaani (Knower of Truth) will always have a feeling – "Naiva kincit karomeeti, I do not do anything." If I do not do anything, where is the question of my renouncing anything? So, is it renouncing the activities that is called for or the feeling of doership about activity? Sri Krishna makes it very clear that it is the dissolution of the doership, enjoyership and sufferership – the renunciation of the kartr-bhoktr-bhaava.
How will you be able to abandon it? The renunciation is to be attained in the mind. By understanding that one is the Self, the Self is all-pervading and as such it does not move. If it does not move, then where is the question of any activity in the Self? Is not the space nishcala? The Self is more nishcala. So you contemplate upon the Self in its own manner and thereafter as a result of the contemplation, you realize it, have your identity and focus in it. When this becomes true, automatically all doership and enjoyership will disappear.
Sri Krishna further emphasizes (3.5 &6) that none can renounce activity even for an instant, because prakrti through its gunas makes everyone active. Then, is there no place for sannyaasa at all? Yes, there is!
The point is, you might not have realized the Self, but you want to. To realize the Self, is the home atmosphere suitable or something else? Does your involvement in secular activities help the saadhana or a different type of activity will be more conducive to realization?
The answer is: Get into a situation where you will be in the company of a Knower, or at least of seekers and like-minded people, and whatever activity you do will be related to the saadhana of Self-realization. That is how an Ashram is born. That is why the inmates are here in the Ashram.
The professional interactional life in the world is always object-based. Maybe many corruptions also have to be courted. Generally you will have no time to devote for the enrichment and sublimation of your own mind and intelligence. So Vaanaprastha life or pre-sannyaasa life in an Ashram is conceived of. It is not actually a life of retirement. It is retirement only from professional life. It is actually the inauguration of the inner personality refinemental programme.
...to be continued
Harih Om Tat Sat. Jai Guru
