How to be released from Bondage?
People have simply accepted the belief that bondage is forever. And release from it, one attains liberation. In essence, this is where the mistake lies. In reality, there is no bondage at all. If there is bondage then there would not be any liberation of anyone; because there is no non-existence of the Real - "Naabhaavo vidhyate Satah" (Gita 2:16). If bondage were real, then it's non-existence would not be there at all. Therefore there is no bondage. We only perceive it as being there. In the mirror we also see our reflection, then why do you not grab it from the front!!! But since it does not exist at all, then what is there to grab? In the same ways, in these worldly things, there appears to be mine-ness, this wealth, this body, the family members, possessions, glories etc. is Mine, it so appears! But were they yours hundred years back? And will they remain yours after another hundred years? This "mine-ness" was not there in the beginning, and will not be there in the end, and in the middle too, it is daily getting wiped out, then how is it real? In the mirror, first too there was not a face, in the end too there will not be a face, then at present what is seen, it appears to be so, but it is not there. That which is every moment, moving towards "not-existence", how can it be "existing"? That which is not there "IS NOT" you have believed it to be there "IS". If you leave the belief that that which is not there "IS NOT" is there "IS" then you will be naturally liberated. Before there was no mine-ness, and there was freedom, later there will be no mine-ness, therefore only freedom will remain, and in the middle this mine-ness is leaving constantly, therefore we are moving towards freedom. Therefore bondage is only something we have accepted, whereas freedom is innate and natural. Now where is the delay in this? Tell me!
If you have accepted that this bondage will not break off, then this bondage will definitely not break away! Because you are a part of Paramatma. If you firmly believe in the bondage, then it will definitely not leave you. You have accepted that bondage is there at present, and freedom is there somewhere in the distance, and will happen later on. Now how can that bondage leave you? In reality, there was no bondage even in the beginning, and there will not be even later on, and it is not there right bow. That liberation was always there in the beginning, will remain so in the end, and is there in the present.
See! Each person has immense love for his mother. Now is that love there even today? This love too is like a sample of worldly love. When you are trading in good, you first look at the sample and make a decision. From the sample you get to know the total product. The wife is mine, the son is mine, the wealth is mine, the house is mine - these all appear to be sweet, then in childhood, was the mother less sweet or what? You were unable to stay without your mother, you would cry, and on climbing into her lap, you would become happy, feeling I have found my mother! But is that same loving feeling with the mother, today? Like that there are many fortunate ones, whose mother is present today, but the attraction that was there for the mother, is not there now. With this sample, the entire world's lesson is learned, that that for which we have attraction today, that too will not remain.
Question: Maharajji ! Our attraction, and fondness for mother-father, then wife, then son and daughter, then grand-children etc. in this manner this attraction remain here and here only in worldly things !
Swamiji: Then do not develop new fondness my dear! The old fondness are leaving, liberation is around the corner.
Question: We do not desire to engage in new relations.
Swamiji: If you do not desire to engage in new relations then am I or someone else forcing you into them? Who is putting pressure on you? Say! The old affections will leave, now simple don't engage in new affections. Are you still a child? From stage of childhood you have become liberated, haven't you? This liberation is taking place on its own because we are liberated. There is no bondage at all. You have held onto bondage. If you keep holding on and keeping it next to you, then it will remain, but if you leave it, it will go away. If you do not leave it, it will not go away. The easy way to be released from this bondage is - that which you see as your own, serve them, and do not desire any service from them. I had shared two points with you earlier, that their want is based on righteousness, fairness and you have the strength, the ability and the thing to fulfill that want, then fulfill it. Even your own good desires, do not have them; such as - my son should serve me - even though this is a fair desire, then too, do not hold on to it. In this manner, do not desire service from others, and simply continue to serve others then you will attain salvation. But if you continue to desire service from others, then you cannot attain salvation, and the other will not even serve you.
On desiring service, the other will not serve, but on not desiring service, the other will serve - and in your service itself there will be not be a loss. If you have money, clothes, food, etc. do you feel like giving to an ascetic? Do you desire to give to one who does not want from you, or one who wants from you? You only want to give, to one who does not want to take. If you desire nothing from the world, then the world will give you a lot of happiness. You will not have a shortage of happiness. There will be no shortages. He who does not desire anything, everyone wants to give him, then how will he have a shortage of happiness? The shortage is when one desires happiness. Even respect and greatness is given to those who do not desire any. Then by desiring why should we become a beggar and a sufferer?
Question: From time immemorial the attachment and affection that we have developed, how can these be wiped off?
Swamiji: Even though darkness has been there from time immemorial, simply by lighting a lamp, the darkness vanishes. In some cave, even though it is dark for a million years, but by going there and lighting a lamp, the darkness will not say to you that it has been in the cave for so many years, and therefore it will not leave quickly. When the light of the lamp illumes, the darkness automatically disappears. Similarly the mistakes, the erroneous thinking, etc, are the kind to that will go away / will be rid off.
The way to get rid of attachment is - there is nothing to take - this is "karma yoga" (Path of Action) We have no relation with the world at all - this is "Jnana yoga" (Path of Knowledge) and only God is Mine - this is "Bhakti Yoga" (Path of Devotion). My relationship is with the world, the world is mine, and is for me - this is "Janam-Maran Yoga" (Path of Birth and Death) or "Yoga of Bondage"! Time and again to be born and later to die ! Now in whatever path you see a gain, you pursue and achieve. Your relationship with Paramatama is innate and natural, and the relationship with the world is one that you have accepted. However much of a relationship you develop with the world, it will not last. That which does not last, leave it from the beginning.
Bhali sauchhi sajjan janaa, divee jagatko pooth
Peechey dekhi bigadatee, pehele baithaa rooth
That which will get ruined later on, leave it from the beginning. If one leaves their family with a true heart and becomes an ascetic, then if all in the family die at the same time or the family size increases anywhere from 2--50 people, then to, it will make no difference. However if in the family one person dies and he begins to cry, then that ascetic has only taken a white cloth and spoilt it with dirt! Just like an ascetic dies in the eyes of his family, in the same way you too die from all, then salvation (Freedom) will be attained. On dying it self, you will become immortal. The moment you die from the world, you become immortal. While living itself, die! It has come in the writing of saints - "Arey mana jeevatdo hi mar re." From today itself Die ! All work will become alright ! If you die from the family members, then their misery will also go away. Neither the third lunar, nor the twelfth day will need to be enforced, nor any other festivities, nor any expenses, all miseries will end! The people in your household will also be delighted and you too will be thrilled !
Bhagwaan, the scriptures and saints their grace is upon you from eternity, now it is on you to have mercy by accepting this grace, then you will be totally gratified. If you do not imbibe in the grace, then His grace that is flowing, will simply remain there and be of no use. That which you have held on to, leave it, then you will be freed. Now you leave the family members, and grab hold of Guru, and say he is my Guruji, this is my Guru brother, this is my uncle Guru, this is my nephew disciple. You left one, and grabbed hold of another, then there will be no liberation, just as is, you will remain entangled and trapped. I had met a sadhu (ascetic). He said that his Guru gave his the knowledge, that he should leave his family then I left the Guruji, as well. Now there is no Guru, no disciple, no uncle guru, no nephew disciple. First from householder became a sadhu (ascetic), but now from the sadhu also I have become a true renunciate.
Do not consider the family as yours, and do not desire anything from them - only have this relationship with your family. Whatever you have in terms of money, abilities, time, dedicate it to their service. By this all family members will become happy, and you will be liberated. Previous relations, serve them and leave them, and do not establish and engage in new relations, then you will remain free. What else will remain besides freedom?