Vairagya
This article needs additional citations for verification. (September 2019) |
Vairāgya (वैराग्य) is a Sanskrit term used in Hindu as well as Eastern philosophy that roughly translates as dispassion, detachment, or renunciation, in particular renunciation from the pains and pleasures in the temporary material world. The Hindu philosophers who advocated vairāgya told their followers that it is a means to achieve moksha.
True vairāgya refers to an internal state of mind rather than to external lifestyle and can be practiced equally well by one engaged in family life and career as it can be by a renunciate. Vairāgya does not mean suppression of or developing repulsion for material objects. By the application of vivek (spiritual discrimination or discernment) to life experience, the aspirant gradually develops a strong attraction for the inner spiritual source of fulfillment and happiness and limited attachments fall away naturally. Balance is maintained between the inner spiritual state and one's external life through the practice of seeing all limited entities as expressions of the one Cosmic Consciousness or Brahman.
Etymology
Vairāgya is an abstract noun derived from the word virāga (joining vi meaning "without" + rāga meaning "passion, feeling, emotion, interest"). This gives vairāgya a general meaning of "ascetic disinterest" in things that would cause attachment in most people. It is a "dis-passionate" stance on life. An ascetic who has subdued all passions and desires is called a vairāgika.[1] Further etymological definition indicates the root rańj, referring to colour: Vi – rańj + ghaiṋ = virága. The state of virága is vaerágya. Virága means "to go beyond colour" or "to be uncoloured". To remain completely engaged in the world yet uncoloured by the world is called vaerágya.
A practitioner of vairagya is called a vairagi.
Hinduism
The concept of Vairāgya is found in the
Another important text on renunciation is Vairāgya śataka or "100 verses of Renunciation", a part of the Śatakatraya collection by Bhartṛhari.
Jainism
Vairāgya (वैराग्य, “detachment”) according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 7.12.—What is meant by detachment (vairāgya)? To develop disinterest towards the subjects of the sensual and physical pleasures is detachment.[8]
Aversion leading to renunciation; The non-attachment to sense pleasures[9]
See also
Sources
References
- ^ Apte, A Practical Sanskrit Dictionary, p. 891.
- ^ "Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 6, Verse 35". holy-bhagavad-gita. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ "Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13, Verse 8-12". holy-bhagavad-gita. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ "Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 8, Verse 13". holy-bhagavad-gita. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ "Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 18, Verse 51-53". holy-bhagavad-gita. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ "Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 2, Verse 37". holy-bhagavad-gita. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ "Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 2, Verse 38". holy-bhagavad-gita. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ www.wisdomlib.org (6 January 2015). "Vairagya, Vairāgya: 7 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
- ^ "Vairagya - ENCYCLOPEDIA OF JAINISM". en.encyclopediaofjainism.com. Archived from the original on 5 September 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2019.