# XXXV: Renunciation explained — The Kural

> Chapter companion for The Kural by Thiruvalluvar.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### Thiruvalluvar

Author of the Kural, presenting teachings on renunciation.

### the Kural

The text itself, containing the verses on renunciation.

## Key lines

> 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._

> Behold the man who holdeth on to attachments and giveth not them up: Grief shall take hold of him and shall not give him up.

See how sorrow clings to the person who refuses to let go of their attachments and will not release them.

_Warns of the inevitable suffering caused by clinging._

> They that have renounced utterly are on the path to salvation: but the others are caught in a snare.

Those who have completely given up attachments are on the road to liberation, while others remain trapped.

_Contrasts the fate of the renunciant with that of the attached._

> The moment that attachments are broken, that very moment reincarnations cease: the man who breaketh them not continueth in vanity.

As soon as attachments are severed, rebirth ends immediately; those who do not break them persist in delusion.

_Declares the instantaneous effect of renunciation on the cycle of rebirth._

> Take thou refuge in Him who hath conquered all attachments: and hold fast to that ark in order that all thy bonds may be broken.

Seek shelter in the one who has overcome all clinging, and cling to that refuge so that all your ties may be destroyed.

_Advises surrendering to a liberated being as a means to achieve freedom._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xxxv-renunciation
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kural_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kural_se/chapters