[Advaita-l] Idam na mama

[Jaldhar H. Vyas]

On Tue, 15 Mar 2011, Srikanta Narayanaswami wrote:

> The starting shloka of Ishavasya Upanishad beautifully summarises this theme:
> Ishavasyam idam sarvam yat kinca jagatyam jagat!
> tena tyaktena bhunjita ma gridha kasyaciddanam!!
>
> The Upanishath doesnot say "you should not enjoy'.it says "ma gridha kasyacit
> danam.Don't be grredy as tgo covet another's money.

It does really.  Everything belongs to someone else Ishvara who pervades 
all.  (Ishavasyam idam sarvam yatkincha jagatyam jagat.)  Knowing this 
_one_ _should_ _renounce_ (tena tyaktena).  Renunciation with the idea 
"whose is this wealth I enjoy?" is the opposite of covetousness.

I am reminded of the story of Vaman avatar.  Proud Baliraja on seeing the 
Brahmana dwarf who is paying a visit says take as much land as you can 
walk three steps.  He thought how much can this be for such a little man? 
But Vishnu Bhagavan expanded in size and in two steps spanned the entire 
universe.  It was then that Baliraja realized his error and forsaking 
pride offered his head as the third step.

On Tue, 15 Mar 2011, Venkatesh Murthy wrote:

> I feel giving Dana is a better way to get Jnana than Self Inquiry like
> Who am I. In another email reply to Sri Bhaskar I explained for us
> Manushyas Dana is best path. Donating something a man cuts his
> attachment to that thing.

The above story demonstrates that it is not always so.  Without 
understanding, even good deeds like charity can be a vehicle for ego and 
arrogance.

-- 
Jaldhar H. Vyas <jaldhar at braincells.com>