Vairagya

The common foundation across all spiritual traditions

Every spiritual tradition emphasizes the need to control the mind through some form of practice.

In Advaita Vedanta, the practice of ‘neti neti (not this, not this)’ is suggested to reject every experience as Brahma cannot be experienced.

In Dvaita Vedanta, the teaching is that everything is Vishnu, and the liberation is through reaching his abode.

Some Shaivites proclaim that Shiva is the ultimate goal of life, while those who follow the Mother Goddess attribute everything to her.

Yoga presents a structured approach, starting with the ashtanga yoga (eight limbs of yoga), progressing through samprajnata yoga and asamprajnata yoga, eventually leading to liberation.

Buddhism and Jainism, though not accepting the authority of the Vedas, each offer their own practices aimed at reaching the ultimate goal of human life - moksha.

Though these paths vary greatly in their methods and philosophies, they share a common foundation: vairagya (detachment). The practices in each tradition aim to redirect the mind from worldly distractions toward a higher goal. You can follow any path based on your inclination, but without vairagya, success is not possible. This is clearly expressed by Krishna in the following verse from the Bhagavad Gita, where he acknowledges the restless nature of the mind and explains that it can only be controlled through abhyasa (spiritual practices) and vairagya (detachment).

asamsayam mahabaho mano durnigraham calam

abhyasena tu kaunteya vairagyena ca grhyate - Bhagavad Gita 6.35

Without a noticeable sense of detachment, one cannot go beyond physical practices to understand the teachings of the great Rishis in the scriptures. Once you begin studying the scriptures and adhere to the guidelines and principles outlined, your spiritual practices (abhyasa) will naturally become more intense. This intensified practice further deepens vairagya, creating a virtuous cycle where abhyasa and vairagya reinforce each other, propelling you forward on the spiritual journey until you reach the ultimate goal.

Forget about liberation, vairagya (detachment) is helpful even for finding peace in everyday life

Many believe that detachment is only necessary for those on a spiritual path, and that it is a hindrance for people living a worldly life. However, this is not true. Even a small amount of detachment can benefit those seeking a healthy, happy, and peaceful life. In the Vairagya Shatakam (verse 31), Bhartrihari reveals the inherent fear in the worldly possessions we often desire. Reflecting on this helps us better understand the true nature of these possessions.

Bhoge roga bhayam – In enjoyment, there is fear of disease. While we may love indulging in life’s pleasures, there’s always the underlying fear that overindulgence could lead to illness. For example, overeating your favorite dish might bring temporary happiness, but it could later result in metabolic disorders. Most lifestyle-related diseases stem from a lack of restraint in consumption.

Kule chyuti bhayam – Those born into privileged families fear losing their status. Some are born into highly privileged families, while others work hard to earn such status. Though people often envy those born into privilege, such individuals live with constant insecurity, wondering what would happen if they were no longer part of that family.

Vitte nripalad bhayam – The wealthy fear the kings (tax collector). The more wealth one has, the greater the fear of losing it, which is why many wealthy individuals seek loopholes to avoid taxes.

Mane dainya bhayam – In honor, there is fear of humiliation. People who are used to receiving respect or admiration often live in constant fear of negative attention, such as public criticism or being belittled.

Bale ripu bhayam – The strong fear their enemies. The stronger one becomes, the more they have to lose, increasing the fear of enemies. In the Mahabharata, Duryodhana, the eldest of the Kauravas, constantly feared the Pandavas, which ultimately led to his and his family’s destruction.

Rupe jaraya bhayam – In beauty, there is fear of aging. Beauty inevitably fades with age, but our attachment to physical appearance is so strong that we go to great lengths to preserve a youthful look.

Sastre vadi bhayam – Scholars fear being challenged. Even the most knowledgeable scholars fear being confronted by someone with a superior argument or theory.

Gune kala bhayam – The virtuous fear being corrupted by the wicked. Those on the path of virtue are always wary of being led astray by others.

Kaye kritanta bhayam – The ultimate fear of death when you have a body. Our deep desire to live drives much of what we do. Some people even strive to leave behind a legacy, hoping to be remembered long after death.

Sarvam vastu bhayanvitam bhuvinrnam – Every aspect of human life is touched by fear in some form or another.

Vairagyam eva abhayam – Only in detachment (vairagya) is there freedom from fear. When you are not attached to anything, there is nothing to fear.

When there is no fear, how can there be anything but peace? And when you are peaceful, how can you not be happy?

What is Vairagya (Detachment)?

Vairagya does not mean abandoning all your possessions and going to the Himalayas to practice yoga in a cave.

What good is physical renunciation without mental detachment? It's better to live in the world and fulfill your desires in a dharmic way than to put yourself through unnecessary torture. This idea is reflected in the Bhagavad Gita: The one who restrains his senses physically but continues to dwell on sensual pleasures in his mind is deluded and called a hypocrite.

karmendriyani samyamya ya aste manasa smaran

indriyarthan vimudhatma mithyacarah sa ucyate - Bhagavad Gita 3.6

True detachment comes from understanding the reality and limitations of the world and its objects of desire. Without this realization, you can't even begin to think about separation from them, let alone practice detachment.

Detachment is not an extraordinary occurrence; we all experience it to some degree in our daily lives. Consider the many possessions in your home—there are likely hundreds of things, but you probably don’t care about most of them anymore. That souvenir from a long-forgotten vacation may sit in a cupboard, once cherished but now irrelevant. If it were to disappear, you might not even notice. The only difference between us and a yogi is that a yogi maintains this level of detachment not only toward material possessions (if any) but also toward relationships and even spiritual accomplishments.

You don’t need extreme detachment to experience peace. Even a small amount of detachment can bring calmness to your life. Once you taste that peace, you'll resist going back. This is why you enjoy meditating at least for a few minutes each day, visiting a temple to experience a sense of serenity, or helping others without expecting anything in return. These actions cultivate a healthy mind, which is essential not only for spiritual growth but also for enjoying worldly pleasures.

Durlabham trayam eva etad daivanugraha hetukam

manushyatvam mumukshutvam mahapurusha samsrayah - Vivekacudamani 3

In Vivekachudamani, Adi Shankaracharya describes three rare gifts:

1. Manushyatvam: A human birth with a healthy mind.

2. Mumukshutvam: A strong desire for spiritual practices aimed at liberation.

3. Mahapurusha Samsrayah: The opportunity to be in the company of spiritual people who can lead you on the path.

These three blessings can be attained only through the grace of Iswara.