Datta Maata 209: Dispassion is the only thing that makes you fearless

Vairāgyamēva abhayam! Every man wishes for happiness and does not wish for sorrows. Hence, he tries very hard to attain the objects that give him happiness and keeps the objects that give him sorrows at bay. This is quite common in the world. Few people wish to earn comforts and treasures whereas few others wish that their generation should be pure and sacred. Some others wish to lead a life of independence without the dependency on anyone. They also wish to have a good appearence and beauty. They always strive to reach high levels in education and wish to earn name as scholars. For all this, the body is very important. Hence, they feed the body all the time to protect it. This is good. But, there are some problems associated with the comforts and pleasures. Let us look at this aspect.

Bhōgē rōga bhayam - If a person who is enjoying pleasures gets some disease, then he has no happiness at all with those pleasures. They give him the fear of disease.

Kulē chyuti bhayam - Few people believe that they are born in a very noble caste with good name and fame. They consider their caste to be very sacred. Even if a single person with heinous character takes birth, the entire community will get a bad image and loses its sacredness. Hence, there is always a fear of losing the sanctity and greatness of a community just because of heinous behaviour.

Vittē nrupālāt bhayam - People earn a lot of money. But, they have the fear of thieves. If they do not have heir, they fear that the entire money will go to the government. There is also a fear of paying taxes.

Mānē dainya bhayam - No one knows when a man, who is leading a respectful life, will suffer losses with respect to money. Because of the situations, he might come down from his position in the society. Then, he will have to leave his self respect and seek help from others. This is the fear that such people have. We see such people not only in the history but also at the present times. Hence, they pray "Vinā dainyēna jīvanam" - to lead a life of independence without seeking any help from others.

Balē ripu bhayam - Many consider themselves to be extremely strong. They feel they are like Duryodhana. But, even they also have the fear of unexpected enemies' attack.

Rūpē jarāyah bhayam - Everyone wishes for beauty. But, how long will the beauty remain? Even if one takes extreme care by going to beauty parlours, old age will not go away. It will certainly eat away the beauty. Hence it is said that there is fear even if one has a beautiful form

Shāstre vādi bhayam - Let us now look into the scholars. They have the fear of those who debate with them. They have the fear that they might lose in the debate. Hence, there is fear even behind the knowledge of scriptures.

Gunē khala bhayam - Even those who possess good character have the fear of the torture of worst persons. Because, the worst persons humiliate the good people without any reason and benefit. Hence, the virtuous always have the fear of them.

Kāyē krutāntāt bhayam - The body which is the basis of everything has to end up in death. There is a fear of death. This is known as "Marana bhayam".

In this manner, when there is fear in everything, what should we believe in? What is the answer? It is Vairāgya (Dispassion). Vairāgyamēva abhayam! It is the only one that gives the feeling of fearlessness in anything that man sees in the world. Except Vairāgya, rest all are temporary. God alone is permanent. Hence, the one who does not attach oneself to the worldly matters and behaves accordingly, has no fear at all.