Bhagavad Gita Chapter 13, Verse 9

English Translation

Non-attachment with regard to objects of the senses, and also absence of egotism; seeing the evil in birth, death, old age, diseases and miseries;

Detailed Commentary

Indriyārtheṣu Vairāgyam -- Vairāgya is the absence of attachment or attraction to the objects of the senses. Even while utilizing sense objects for the sustenance of life, a sādhaka should not feel attachment, infatuation, or fondness for them. Remedy -- (1) Attachment to sense objects makes them appear significant, creating attraction to the world, which leads to sins. We must renounce attachment for the realization of ultimate truth (Tattvabodha) and abiding in the Paramātmā. (2) Greatly wealthy individuals, brave warriors, and kings have indulged in enjoyments, but in the end, nothing remained theirs. Reflecting on this also fosters Vairāgya. (3) Those who have indulged in enjoyments often remain immersed in sorrow and worry, more so than those who have not. Contemplating this also leads to Vairāgya. Anahaṅkāra Eva Cha -- Every individual possesses the feeling of 'I'. This feeling generates Ahaṅkāra (ego), causing the jīva to be born and die in higher and lower species. In the pursuit of knowledge, there should be an absence of this. Bhagavān has spoken of the renunciation of Ahaṅkāra. Abhimāna (pride) and Ahaṅkāra are distinct. Abhimāna arises from worldly possessions, while Ahaṅkāra is considering the body as one's true self. Both should be absent here. The sequence for the destruction of Ahaṅkāra is: pride of wealth (dhana kā abhimāna), ego of doership (kartṛtvābhimāna), ego of being a knower (jñātāpana kā ahaṅkāra), and finally, the ego of being a witness (sākṣīpana kā ahaṅkāra). Then, the complete truth (paripūrṇa satya) manifests. Remedy -- (1) The feeling of superiority gives rise to Abhimāna. To eradicate it, one should observe one's own shortcomings. (2) The same Ātmā is present everywhere. Eradicate the Ahaṅkāra of considering the body as 'I'. (3) Paramātmā is constituted of Sat, Chit, and Ānanda. A sādhaka can experience Paramātmā by becoming nirvikalpa (free from mental modifications), which destroys Ahaṅkāra. Janmamṛtyujarāvyādhiduḥkhadoṣānudarśanam -- One should repeatedly contemplate the miseries and imperfections of birth, death, old age, and disease. Birth involves the torment of the womb, death brings pain, old age weakens the body, and diseases cause suffering. Reflection on these sorrows leads to Vairāgya towards enjoyments. The root cause of the miseries of birth, death, etc., is Dehābhimāna (identification with the body). Bhagavān has instructed us to eradicate this. Humanity is inherently flawless, but experiences sorrow due to Dehābhimāna.