The Kural · Chapter
XXXV: Renunciation explained
This chapter extols the virtue of renunciation, arguing that letting go of attachments and desires liberates one from grief and leads to spiritual joy.
What happens
This chapter extols the virtue of renunciation, arguing that letting go of attachments and desires liberates one from grief and leads to spiritual joy. It emphasizes crushing the five senses, abandoning all possessions, and breaking the bonds of 'I' and 'Mine' to attain salvation and end reincarnation.
Themes in this chapter
Asceticism and Spiritual Discipline
The entire chapter focuses on renouncing attachments, controlling the senses, and practicing austerity to achieve spiritual liberation.
The Vanity of Worldly Life
The verses describe attachments and possessions as vain and prideful, urging the seeker to abandon them for a higher state.
Characters to notice
- Thiruvalluvar
Author of the Kural, presenting teachings on renunciation.
- the Kural
The text itself, containing the verses on renunciation.
Key passages
“Whatsoever thing a man hath renounced, from the grief arising from that thing hath he liberated himself.”
By giving up any possession or desire, a person frees themselves from the sorrow that comes with it.
Highlights the direct link between renunciation and liberation from suffering.
“If thou want joy, renounce early: for many are the delights that thou shalt enjoy after renouncing.”
If you seek true happiness, practice renunciation from an early age, as it leads to abundant spiritual joys.
Encourages early adoption of renunciation for lasting joy.
“Crush thou the five senses: and everything in which thou takest delight, give up utterly.”
Subdue the five senses completely and abandon all sources of sensory pleasure without exception.
Emphasizes total control over sensory desires.
“To possess nothing, that is the law of the man of vows: the possession of even one thing is a coming back to the snares that he hath left.”
Having no possessions is the rule for a dedicated ascetic; owning even a single item means returning to the traps he escaped.
Stresses absolute poverty as essential for spiritual discipline.
“To those that desire to put an end to their reincarnations, even the body is a superfluity: how much more then are other bonds?”
For those seeking to stop the cycle of rebirth, even the physical body is unnecessary, let alone other attachments.
Indicates that ultimate liberation requires transcending even bodily identity.
“The feelings of I and Mine are nought but vanity and pride: he who crusheth them entereth a higher world than the world of the Gods.”
The sense of self and ownership are mere arrogance; one who destroys them attains a realm beyond even the gods.
Links ego dissolution to supreme spiritual attainment.