Suppose we visit the house of a wealthy friend. During our stay, we get attached to the luxuries there. When we leave that house, suppose we proudly announce to the world, “I am renouncing all these luxuries.” Even if the world believes us, our friend will know the reality – and will find our proclamation ignorant, if not arrogant.

Similar will be our situation if we become proud while renouncing worldly possessions. Those possessions belong not to us, but to that supreme being to whom belongs everything in this world: Krishna (Bhagavad-gita 05.29). He has kindly provided us with those possessions for our use during our present lifetime.

When we realize the finiteness of our lifespan, we feel prompted to raise our life’s purpose from material acquisition to spiritual realization. Accordingly, we may renounce some of the worldly things that we were having earlier. Renunciation is often lauded in spiritually oriented cultures because not many people can muster the willpower to tangibly pursue life’s higher purpose by turning away from lower indulgences. Even if we are praised for our renunciation, we need to avoid the pitfall of pride, specifically pride in our renunciation. Otherwise, we will start seeking pleasure in how we are better than others and end up distracted from pursuing spiritual growth.

How can we protect ourselves from such pride? By trying to see things from Krishna’s perspective. Even if the world believes that we have renounced many things, he knows that none of those things were actually ours. By contemplating that truth, we can progress to a higher spiritual realization, whereby we renounce the very idea that we have renounced anything, for we recognize that idea itself to be an illusion. Being thus freed from that subtle illusion, we can offer our heart fully to Krishna, thereby delighting in endless love with him.

One-sentence summary:

The only thing that we can really renounce is the illusion that we have something to renounce.

Think it over:

  • Why is renunciation lauded in spiritually oriented cultures?
  • Why do we need to avoid pride in our renunciation?
  • How can we protect ourselves from such pride?

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05.29: A person in full consciousness of Me, knowing Me to be the ultimate beneficiary of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods, and the benefactor and well-wisher of all living entities, attains peace from the pangs of material miseries.

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