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detachment for the worldly pleasure, thinning of ego and such other attributes. Those attributes take firmer roots when one attains self-realization, because they get the root in the form of realization. While conceiving of having gained realization, there blazes at your internal level the fire in the form of availing the worldly pleasure, there repeatedly arises the longing for being worshipped or respected and the mind gets perturbed with the slightest discomfort. How does it not come to your notice that these are not the characteristics of having gained realization? Why don't you make out that your claim for gaining realization emanates out of the desire to get reverence? First cultivate the detachment and other means at the internal level so that you can get closer to realization."
Tyäg Viräg Na Chittamän, Thäy Na Tene Inän; Atake Tyäg Viragamän, To Bhoole Nij Bhän.
Enlightenment is unattainable without having renouncement and detachment at heart; if, however, one gets stuck with them, he would miss the Self. (7)
Explanation & Discussion:
The term 'renouncement' is generally understood in the sense of giving up of worldly life. Such external renouncement is useful, but it does not necessarily indicate the true sense of internal renouncement. The internal renouncement consists of giving up of the internal impurities. That can happen only with the radical change in approach. If one understands the true nature of soul, his inclination for worldly objects will begin to go down. He would realize that the external objects cannot give him the lasting happiness. In that case the external renouncement would be in harmony with the detachment at heart. As such, it can help in attainment of enlightenment.
Enlightenment abides within the soul. But that inherent capability remains obscured as long as the worldly soul stays under the impact of Karma. It is therefore necessary to eradicate the bondage of Karma. Such eradication process is called Nirjarä. In this connection Tattvärtha Sutra states (IX-3): "Tapasä Nirjarä Cha". It means that the eradication of Karma can be achieved by austerities. Many people therefore resort to austerities and restraints in order to shake off the bondage of Karma. Most of them, however, overlook the fact that enlightenment cannot arise so long as there stays any inclination for the worldly pleasure. Nirjarë thus takes place, only if austerities and restraints are accompanied by the absence of desire for worldly objects. It is therefore necessary that the spiritual aspirant develops the true sense of renouncement and detachment.
It should also be remembered that renouncement and detachment are the means, not the ends of spiritual pursuit. They are the prerequisites for treading on the spiritual path. After getting equipped with those requisites one needs to go ahead in spiritual pursuit. Some people resort to external renouncement, develop detachment, and then stop at that level. This stanza warns that if they do not go ahead, they would not gain enlightenment and miss the real objective of spiritual pursuit.
