Is detachment the exact opposite of attachment?
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The Bhagavad Gita has time and again stressed upon the need for detachment from material possessions and worldly concerns. In chapter six, Verse 35, Lord Krishna says the mind is indeed very difficult to restrain, but by practice and detachment it can be controlled. The key words here are practice and detachment. Detachment is stated to be the means through which one can gain true knowledge, peace of mind and longlasting satisfaction. In short, through detachment one can learn to be comfortable with oneself
But I'm curious if you know specifically what was the poly or Sanskrit word in the Bhagavagita that was translated as detachment. And I'm wondering if that word is any different than apari graha, which is what is used in the Ashtonga tradition and the Yoga Sutras. So I've always wondered this because my I mean, I know that these are different Vedic texts that were written at different periods of time, but, yeah, I've always been curious about this question
Arya Sunyata
@theheartdrive · 3:28
Hi, Vandana. I love this post. And I feel like there is a little bit of a confusion, maybe in English, because the framework that we have doesn't exist linguistically quite like it does in other parts of Asia where maybe or India or even where either the Dharma or Hinduism may be more more of the mainstream system of a social matrix. So there's a little bit of confusion in the word, as Stevie was noting, detachment. Right?
Aditi Singh
@Adititalks · 2:23
Thank you so much, ma'am, for telling us the true meaning of detachment in context with Bhagavad Gita. And I truly, truly agree with this point of yours that there are a lot, a lot of misconceptions in this world regarding this word detachment. Whereas I think detachment, detachment is one of the purest thing a person can have and can adapt in his or her life. And you have very nicely explained the concept with an example
Sreeja V
@Wordsmith · 2:21
So I think that itself tells us and this is, I think, from the Mahabharata, the story, so it definitely doesn't mean we run away. Of course, I think there are people who I think I always believe that the path to spiritual, the entire spiritual journey is different for different people. And I think the minute we realize the detachment is about doing whatever it is right
It's not being not attached. But it is to be in a state of to be in the middle of things, and yet to know that this could be transitory or that it's transient, that it's transactional, and that this moment will pass and there will be other moments. So, yeah, thank you so much for your response, and let's continue to have these conversations. Bye
So first of all, yes, to put the record straight, I am not a Sanskrit scholar technically, but since there is a lot of affinity between Sanskrit and Hindi, which is the language which is my mother tongue, so, yes, certain ideas and concepts are easier to understand and easier to translate. So to answer your question about what is the word for detachment, the word is veragyta. In English, it would be V-A-I-R-A-G-Y-T-A veragata
I mean, one of the things that I love about the Dharmic traditions is there's just so much diversity of thought, and it's all just very expansive. There's not one singular interpretation which, coming from a religion where I was told what I had to believe is very freeing and liberating in and of itself. Yeah, I would love to read your book. I don't know if you received my message. I did send you a private message
End of the day, I think what's important to remember is that all these things are there to make your life better and to make you a better human being. And so I feel that, yes, while it's important to understand what the author is trying to say and what the philosophy stands for and all of that, but end of the day I'm reading the Gita or I'm reading the Bible or I'm reading good stuff to be a better person
But so long as we get the sense of it and so long as we kind of get a sense of what this means, perhaps the exact meaning becomes irrelevant after a point because really speaking, what one needs to grasp is the essence. And the essence here is very clearly to be in the midst of things and yet to be out of them
So yes, so that sort of very nuanced existence is what that one should be aiming for. And what you said in the second part, once again, is very interesting because what you said about us doing what we had expected to do, performing our duties, fulfilling our obligations, and not looking at or not thinking of the outcomes
Thank you, Adity, for your response. Yes, you are absolutely right that detachment and correct understanding of detachment is extremely important for us to find our way in life and to remain grounded. I'm very keen to listen to your podcast and I'll find and the link on your profile and I'll definitely listen in. Do keep sharing your thoughts and ideas and let's talk more about this and a lot else because I think an exchange of ideas is absolutely the healthiest way of crystallizing your own thoughts
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