Embracing Sannyas

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Raghavan was the heir of a Zamindar in Chidambaram. He was married to Pankajam, the daughter of a landlord from Mayavaram. Needless to say the couple lived happily in luxury with their three sons and two daughters.

Unfortunately, misfortune showed its ugly face when Raghavan incurred a severe loss in his business. Being the situation, Pankajam unmindfully pestered Raghavan for an expensive necklace. As he was not in a position to accede to her request, Raghavan entered into arguments with her. Unable to go on with the frequent bickering, Raghavan one day informed his wife that he was going to embrace sannyas which hardly made any impact on her as she continued to drag him into petty squabbles.

One fine day, Raghavan left for Cuddalore and spent about a week there. After his return, he left for Benaras asking his wife to take care of the children, house and property with due care. On reaching Benaras, he approached Sri Sankara Bharati and requested to initiate him into Sannyas. However he asked the monk to provide him with a cup of coffee and salted halwa in the morning and serve him with, rice, sambar, rasam etc in the afternoon. He confessed to the seer that though he had renounced his wife and children he was unable to give up his habit of drinking coffee, which he has haboured for the past forty five years.

The Swami who was an embodiment of renunciation and who lived on biksha (alms) advised Raghavan to return back to his house as he was not in a position to provide him with the food that he requested due to the fact he lived on alms. He instructed him to gain control over his tongue, practise 'Japa' and other spiritual austerities and then return when he is able to live on dry bread alone. Raghavan then understood that it was difficult for him get along with the Swamiji. He also realised that his mind still dwelled on his wife, children and property. As per the advice of the Swamiji, he left for Chidambaram, his home town.

Swami Sivananda says, Sannyas is for the hardy and the sturdy in spirit. An organised mind, free of oscillation and a decisive approach to the thought coupled with disciplined senses are the basic requisites for adopting Sannyas. A decision based on escaping from difficulties and just for the mere fancy of it cannot pave way for a successful adoption of 'Sannyas'.