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The flame of avarice
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the hearts of those whom they taught. In this present corrupt age, the kaliyuga, words of renunciation and sacrifice from those who are entangled in desires seem ludicrous. One Ācārya of Vedānta has said:
In this kaliyuga, vedantins stand out conspicuously like cranes in the month of phalguna.
In phâlguna, the white crane stands out conspicuously against the backdrop of dark clouds. In this month, the festival of holī is also a strange sight where children and adults alike, in their frenzy of enjoyment, do absurd things like riding a donkey and wearing bizarre clothes. Talks of renunciation sound as absurd in today's world.
What the Ācārya meant is that one who does not practice what he preaches cannot reach out and touch the heart of the masses. As a learned scholar, he can make a detailed analysis, he may render others speechless with his powerful arguments, but he cannot bring about a transformation if he does not have the wisdom and compassion to support his knowledge. It is not knowledge alone that can bring about a spiritual revolution. Such transformation can be initiated only by wisdom.
Lord Mahāvīra placed his own example before the masses. He who lived in palaces, who was praised lavishly by the thousands who received bountiful arms from him every morning, decided to embrace renunciation. As he arrived at the decision, he gave away all his riches as charity, and thus weightless, appeared before the people. When this prince, now a mendicant, appeared amidst the crowds, thousands of people followed him in one single voice of faith.
What this means is that one who believes he can solve the problems of the world without giving up the desire for possessions is deluding himself. In truth, he will meet only defeat and pessimism, for life without sacrifice is sūnya, a void.
In saying so, I refer to both the ascetic and the householder. The ascetic who wishes to be true to himself will adopt the vow 4 kalau vedāntino bhānti phalgune balakā iva.
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