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by Jayaram V
Attachment is the bond of desire we form with the things of the
outside
world. The gunas are responsible for the attachment (3.27).
Those who are deluded remain attached to these modes and actions
(3.29).
Sattva, which is pure, without impurities, illuminating and free
from sickness, binds the soul through attachment with happiness and
knowledge (14.6).
Rajas which is full of passion (ragatmakam) and born out of "thrishna"
(thirst or intense desire) and "sanga" (attachment), binds
the soul through attachment with action (14.7).
Tamas is the darkness and the crudeness in man. It is "ajnanajam"
(born of ignorance) and "mohanam"), cause of delusion. It
binds the soul through recklessness, indolence and sleep(14.8).
The senses play a very important role in the development of
attachment. The individual, thinking of senses objects, develops
attachment with them. From attachment are born various desires. From
desires arises anger. From anger comes delusion, and from delusion
arises confusion of memory. From confusion of memory comes loss of
intelligence and when intelligence is lost the breath of life is also
lost (2.60-63).
Desire for the fruit of ones actions is responsible for man's
bondage to the cycle of birth and death. Man's right is to work only,
not to the fruit of his actions (2.47). Therefore abandoning all
attachment, he should perform his work (2.48). As the ignorant act
with attachment so do the wise without attachment (3.25). Attachment
and aversion to the sense objects are situated in the senses. A man
should therefore not come under their influence (3.34).
Thus he who works, offering his actions to God, giving up all
attachment, is not touched by sin as the lotus leaf by water. (5.10).
The true karmayogi shakes off all attachment while performing his
actions (5.11) and rests happily in the city of nine gates (5.13).
Unattached to external contacts he finds happiness in his Self. He
finds eternal bliss (5.21).
Detachment and Hinduism
Hinduism puts heavy emphasis on the need to turn inwards, to
withdraw oneself from the sense objects and look into ones own inner
world, where alone one can find true solace. In order to become
attached with God and merge into Him, it is essential for an aspirant
to detach himself from the external world and all its trappings, whose
attractions are always tempting and alluring to the mind and the
senses.
The shift in emphasis from the body consciousness to soul
consciousness becomes possible only when one develops and ingratiates
into his thoughts and deeds the attitude that the apparent physical
self is not the true self, but just an outer covering of it.
Detachment from ones own outer self is the first step, detachment
from all external relationships either with the people, kith and kin
and things of the world is the next step. Detachment from the very
concept of God and the idea and desire of attaining salvation, is in
fact the final step. When one becomes completely free from all manners
and modes of attachment, even attachment with God, one becomes truly
qualified to enter the world of eternal freedom.
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