What is Renunciation
What is Renunciation
The king asked his minister, "what is renunciation?" and further asked "are there any renunciates in our kingdom?"
The minister, eager to please the king, replied that a renunciate is one who has no desires or attachments.
The king, intrigued, asked the minister to take him to such a person.
The minister, realizing his mistake that he did not know any one who was a renunciate.
After a lot of research he found a poor laborer named Ramu and offered him a bag of gold coins to play the role of a renunciate.
Ramu was afraid but decided to do the act since he liked the reward.
Ramu, dressed in ochre robes, sat under a banyan tree, and the king's entourage arrived with gold, silver, food and many more lavishes.
Ramu wanted to have everything but could not because he was only acting like a renunciate!
Despite initial fear, Ramu played his part well, refusing the king's offerings!
However, after the show, when the minister offered him the bag of gold coins, Ramu surprisingly refused, saying, "I don't desire it, I have no need for it."
The Minister told, "cut the crap," the show is over.
Ramu refused.
Ramu said, "just by acting as a renunciate I get so much respect, just think for a moment, how much more respect I would get if I really become a renunciate?"
This transformation in Ramu's behavior left the minister speechless.
The story raises questions about the nature of renunciation. Is it just about shunning material possessions or wearing certain attire?
The Bhagavad Gita suggests that renunciation is not about abstaining from action but about performing actions selflessly, without attachment to the fruits of one's labor.
Key Takeaways:
- Renunciation is not just about external actions but about internal detachment.
- One can be a renunciate while still being engaged in worldly activities.
- True renunciation involves letting go of attachments and desires, not just material possessions.
- King Janaka, a raja-rishi, exemplifies renunciation, living in opulence yet detached from material possessions.
Lessons from the Story:
- Renunciation is a natural progression, not a sudden change.
- Action is better than inaction, and selfless action is nobler than mere renunciation.
- Wealth, prosperity, and luxury are not incompatible with renunciation; attachment is the key issue.
- Non-attachment is a crucial aspect of renunciation, as emphasized in the Bhagavad Gita.
The story of Ramu and the minister serves as a reminder that true renunciation requires a deep understanding of oneself and the world.
It's not just about external appearances but about cultivating inner detachment and selflessness.
#Renunciation #Detachment