35.1 Renunciation

 35.1 Renunciation 

Question:

Should one become an Ascetic? 

Answer:

If you want to pursue the goal of salvation, renounce worldly pleasures.

Once you renounce worldly pleasures, many things need to

happen before attaining your goal.                                                         (Couplet – 342) 

வேண்டின் உண் டாகத் துறக்க துறந்தபின்

ஈண்டுஇயற் பால பல.                                                                                        (குறள் – 342) 

Explanation:

The Aryan's Vedic religion, the forerunner of modern-day Hinduism, advocated the social doctrine of four stages of life known as varnashrama dharma. It maintained that one should first be a celibate student, then become a married householder discharging his duties to his ancestors by begetting sons and to the gods by sacrificing; then retire with or without his wife to the forest to devote himself to spiritual contemplation; and finally, become a homeless wandering ascetic and devote himself to the pursuit of liberation (salvation). There is no evidence that the Tamil people ever took these stages of life as a serious concept to be followed. During Vallulvar's days and prior to that, very few people were ascetics, and most others were householders who were leading their family life. Valluvar considers becoming an ascetic an option instead of a required stage in life. Therefore, he says someone wants to be ascetic, let him become one.