According to Vedic culture, there are four stages of life. Finally he gives up both wife and children and remains alone to cultivate Krsna consciousness and that stage is called sannyasa, or the renounced order of life. Yet Krsna indicates that for a sannyasi, renunciation is not all. In addition, there must be some duty. What is the duty of a sannyasi, for one who has renounced family life and no longer has material obligations? His duty is a most responsible one: it is to work for Krsna. Moreover, this is the real duty for everyone in all stages of life.
In everyone's life there are two duties: one is to serve the illusion, and the other is to serve the reality. When one serves the reality, he is a real sannyasi. When one serves the illusion, he is deluded by maya.
One who is unattached to the fruits of his work and who works as he is obligated is in the renounced order of life, and he is the true mystic, not he who lights no fire and performs no work.' (Bg. 6.1) Everyone is working and expecting some result. One may ask what is the purpose of working if no result is expected? A remuneration or salary is always demanded by the worker. But here Krsna indicates that one can work out of a sense of duty alone, not expecting the results of his activities. If one works in this way, then he is actually a sannyasi; he is in the renounced order of life.
Everyone serves, therefore better to serve reality. This is the platform of knowledge. By sannyasa, the renounced order of life, we refer to one who has come to this platform. Sannyasa is a question of realization, not social status.
Vasudevah sarvam iti after many births, when one comes to the platform of real knowledge, he 'surrenders unto Me' Why many births? If the ultimate goal of life is to surrender to Krsna, why hesitate? Why not surrender immediately? When one comes to understand that point of surrender, he becomes a real sannyasi. Krsna never forces. surrender is a result of transcendental love.
- From "ISKCON In The 1970s" by HH Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami
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Dinesh
Bhakti Yogi @ http://dinesh-krsna.blogspot.com
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