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Attachment is bondage, detachment liberation
individuals who had suffered the same loss. One was so attached to his possessions and the other so completely detached.
At another time during our sojourn at Mahendragadh, we came in contact with a renowned Vedāntist from that village. Although he was not in the habit of visiting monks, over time he began to enjoy discussing Jaina and Vedānta philosophies with us. This Vedāntist who also happened to be the village headman, had just one son. Once when his son fell very ill, he took him to big cities like Bombay and Calcutta and spared no expense in the hope of finding a cure for his son. The villagers asked, “Is this what is taught in the Vedānta?" I replied as gently as I could, "As long as one is in this world, responsibilities have to be fulfilled. How can a father be expected to allow his son to simply die? This is the way of the world."
Well, as fate had it, the boy did not survive his illness. On hearing the news of his demise the villagers thronged before the headman to offer their condolences. They cried saying, "Oh Panditji! What a tragedy! You had just one son and how unfairly fate has snatched him away from you!" And do you know what the wise one's reaction to their wailing was? With utmost dignity and tranquility he said to them, "What can anyone do my brothers? As long as God willed my son to be a part of my life, he remained in that relationship. Now it was time for him to move on and so he has left. Therefore, dear people, I urge you not to cry for me. For what else can man do but try his best and leave the rest to the Almighty?"
And, people were astounded to see that not a tear fell from his eyes. This is detachment of the highest order.
First and foremost, and most difficult of all, is arriving at a feeling of detachment to one's possessions. As attachment diminishes, so also does possessiveness. Detachment to one's possessions is an art to be mastered. Such an art has no prerequisite of philosophical knowledge or religious rituals. It only requires willingness to modify one's mindset and lifestyle. One who has mastered this art will have a firm grip on his emotions even in the most trying of situations. Birth and death, gain and
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