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The Duties of Vanaprasthis and Sannyasins
Possessed of fortitude, he should not grow despondent, if he does not get food at any time or anywhere nor rejoice if he is likely to get much; for both these are in the hands of Providence (My hands) and they are controlled by destiny.
He should try to get his food. He should not leave this also to destiny, because it is proper to support life. By supporting life he is able to investigate into the Truth and by knowing it he gets emancipation. He should eat the food rich or poor, good or bad which by chance he gets; so also, he may accept clothes or a bed as chance may bring him. [A Paramahamsa, need not avoid comforts if they come by chance. Attachment to Vairagya is as much an evil as attachment to Raga itself. A Paramahamsa should be above Raga and Vairagya. This is the real test. Some are attached to Vairagya till the end of life.
Vairagya only is their goal. Such people have not attained the real state of equanimity of a Jivanmukta. A Paramahamsa should keep the same state of mind when he gets comforts or when he is under privation. Attachment to Vairagya alone is one-sided development. It is imperfection. Some Sannyasins who have no Vairagya, who do not practise Vairagya, whose minds are full of Vasanas say, “We have got mental non-attachment. We need not practise any Vairagya. We are above the pairs of opposites. We are Advaitins who have got Jnana Nishta.” These are deluded souls.]
The sage may, as I, the Supreme Ruler, sportfully do observe cleanliness, wash his mouth and bathe and go through all other observances, not with a sense of compulsion under rules.
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