Ashtavakra Gita 10.6 -

Here Maharshi presents another view about life and world: “Clinging is common, a powerful trait in every one. But is it conducive to our own welfare and fulfilment? Think about the kingdom you held, sons you had, princesses you married, bodies you possessed and happiness you enjoyed. Did you not lose them all, when your body fell? Or their bodies fell before you dropped yours! The story repeated birth after birth. Was your clinging of any avail? Life is always heading towards loss, destruction and separation.”

What is the right course then for the wise man? Once bitten twice shy, is a celebrated proverb. Should it not guide every one?

So, think well, pursue truthful introspection, enrich the mind with viveka and vairagya, leave all clinging and clear the way for spiritual enlightenment.

However you may view the matter, the world is not a forum for any right thinking human to pitch his fate in.

How poignantly has the illustrious poet Bhartrihari sung: “We have not enjoyed the sensory delights, instead they have enjoyed us! Time has not gone, but we have gone! Desires have not aged, we have aged!” (Vairagya-śatakam śloka 7 ). Is this not the truth of human life at any age?

How well the Sage answers Janaka’s quest for dispassion! Either you give in to the sensory thrills and get lost or opt for dispassion, realize the Self and win eternality!