austerity / renunciation

Therefore the Vedic civilization is voluntary giving up. Voluntary giving up. Big, big king, Maharaja Bharata, the emperor of the whole world, Bharata-varsa-therefore it is called Bharata-varsa-at the age of twenty-four years, he gave up his kingdom, his young wife. There are many, many instances. So to become voluntarily akincana, "I have nothing. I don't possess anything." Here in this material world, everyone is trying to possess more-more wealth, more education, more beauty, more family prestige, aristocracy. This is materialism. And spiritualism means just the opposite. Therefore people are not attracted to spiritualism. I have told you that I was thinking when I was dreaming that "Guru Maharaja is asking me to come out," and I was going... Did I say this story? Yes. So I was afraid: "Oh, I have to give up my family. And I become... I have to become sannyasi? And I have to go behind my Guru Maharaja? No, no, it is horrible." I was thinking. But he forced me to it. He is so kind that he forced me, somehow or other. That is mercy. I can understand now that how much merciful was my Guru Maharaja that he forced me to take this life.    (More...)