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Attachment is bondage, detach ment liberation
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loss, ups and downs, none of these will tear him apart. He will always remain detached. Neither can sorrow break such a man nor happiness overwhelm him.
A well known aquaintance of mine, Ratanlalji of Agra had to face a terrible tragedy. One day his son went for a swim in the Yamuna. Despite being a good swimmer he was unable to battle the strong currents and began to drown in the river. Somehow he was rescued and brought home, but his pulse was extremely feeble. Despite the best of medical care, he could not be saved. Ratanlalji was neither very old then nor a great philosopher. But when people went to pay their homage, they returned astounded. They had never seen a person who did not shed a tear on the demise of a son for whose future he had so many grand plans! He told them with equanimity, “All who take birth in this world have to pass away from it too. In this life, we meet only to part. One of us had to depart first and my son was the chosen one. After all, these matters are not in our hands!"
We are mortal beings, made up of the elements, belonging to the earth, dependent on our steadily ticking heartbeats. So, what sense does it make to feel attachment to the material objects of this world when our very lives are so fragile that they can be snuffed out without a moment's notice? What are these desires that we nurture for objects that are so transient? He who will smile at their arrival will weep at their departure. Therefore, he who does not welcome them eagerly nor let go of them sorrowfully is the one who has truly mastered the art of living. Such a person has no attachment and no greed. Impartiality is his armour; he is unaffected by any circumstance.
On the other hand, he who is controlled by desire and attachment can never find peace and straightforwardness. Such a person is consumed by petty misgivings. Moreover, he becomes bereft of any discrimination in matters of justice and injustice. Without any hesitation, he will use unlawful means to suit his end.
Listen to this incident from days gone by. A prince embraced monkhood and renounced all his luxuries and powers. When
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