Hari OM
Application - that is what
'Workings-days' are about!
For as long as it takes to complete
it, we are going to be using today as well as Text-days to fulfil study of the
SadaachaaraH. If you have not been following that text, then use the relevant
label to go back to the beginning. It is, as might be surmised from its title,
about how to go about saadhana, but also explores more of the Sanskrit
philosophy; it is therefore both a 'working' as well as a 'thinking' text.
We saw, last Textday, the discussion on brahmacharya and gRhastha.
Now for verses 52 and 53 in which we explore a little on retirement and old age
ashramas.
Vaanaprastha; these days, when
we think of retirement, we are inclined to plan out all sorts of activities and
have an expectation of an easier life than when we were working. A great deal of
consumerism is geared towards retirees.
This was not the purpose of the twilight years in Sanatana dharma,
however. Rather, it is meant for refocusing on practices which would further
spiritual development. Taking where it is quite likely we left off after
brahmacharya ashrama. Life is to be kept simple, food to be kept simple, and
all energy to go into achieving a higher level of being. Austerities (tapas)
are often taken up. These might include regular fasting (vrata), periods of
silence (mauna), setting disciplined times for meditation (nididdhyaasana) and
so forth. In Indian tradition, there are some retirees who go to extremes with
this, such as standing only on one leg for the entire day, or making yatra
(pilgrimage) by taking a step, prostrating, rising and taking another step,
prostrating, rising…
None of these outward expressions of dedication, though, will
actually bring about enlightenment. That can only come about by proper
Self-enquiry and working on the mental blocks created by the ego. If at all we
feel pleasure, anger, fear, restlessness or any other reaction to the world, we
are still in our ego. All our penance must go towards vanquishing that and
gaining Self Knowledge.
Sannyaasa; total surrender of
material life and commitment to the final goal of Realisation. In the old age,
if still around, our only purpose in life is to align our spirit with the
Higher. Sanatana Dharma is unequivocal about this.
Many will seek to study at this level when they are younger and so
become sadhus (monks or nuns), but all members of society are expected to take
on sannyaasa when they attain the age of 75 years. Traditionally, the
yellow/orange cloth was worn and all other colours dropped. In India, this is
still widely practiced. It serves as a 'badge' so that society knows the
intention of the wearer.
However, it must be understood, donning the ochre robes does not
mean the wearer has Realised the Truth. There are many who have Realised who do
not wear ochre. To them, it does not matter. They have renounced
identification with the physical and this includes the clothes and merged with
the Self of All. They are all colour and no colour. They are aged and ageless.
