These days, many religious leaders / preachers talks about Vairagya i.e reuniciation but do they themselves follow? Recently, one of such leaders were in news, who was seen spending million in international trips and owning and wearing expensive items. They go out in public and give many philosophical speeches. But they always live a luxurious life in person. They have huge mansions, luxury gifts, expensive cars etc. But even then they preach about benefit of vairagya. Highlighting this evil mindset Sanskrit have some beautiful lines to counter ;
निष्णातोपि च वेदान्तो वैराग्य नेति दुर्जनः |
चिरं जलनिधौ मग्नो मैनाक इव मार्दवम्||
Nishnatopi cha Vedanto Vairagya Neti Durjanah Chiran Jalanidhau Magno Mainak Eva Mardavam
Nishnaatopi = nishnaat + api.
Nishnaat = well versed, expert.
Api = even.
Cha = and.
Vedaanto = Upanishadas i.e treatises
on philosiophy in Hindu Religion.
Vairagya = indifference towards worldly objects and life, asceticism.
Neti = never.
Durjanah = wicked and mean person.
Chiram = long time.
Jalanidhau = the Ocean.
Magno = sunken.
Minaak = name of a mountain said to be sunken in the Ocean mentioned in Scriptures of Hindu Religion.
Iva = like
Maardavam = leniency towards.
i.e. Even after being well versed in Vedanta, evil people have no attraction towards renunciation just like the Mainak mountain submerged inside the ocean is not affected by the ocean.
Desires for material things and pleasant experiences are often deeply ingrained, making it difficult for individuals to transcend them. People are afraid of renunciation because the "worldly mind" interprets it as a loss of pleasure, possessions, and identity, leading to a fear of deprivation and insecurity. Citing the examples of Mainaka mountain a mountain deity, which has a mythological reference in epic Ramayana submerged in ocean. The author talks about the rigidness of people who are afraid of reuniciation. People can master in different philosophy but when it comes to detachment, they simply ward off.
This Sanskrit proverb, reminded me the generic phrases - "Easy to say but hard to implement”. The saying states that it is easy to say or explain an idea or plan, but actually converting it into reality or implementing it can be quite challenging.