Anthara Sanyasa

In his address for Guru Poornima day(2007) Swami Paramarthananda took up the subject of Anthara Sanyasa as an alternative to formal/Ashrama sanyasa for those who are interested, particularly for people in Grahasthasrama which involves the renunciation/sacrifice of the following three important ones.

1.Sarva Abhimana Parithyagah:

2.Sarva Chinthaa Parithyagah:

3.Sarva Vishesa Prarthanaa Parithyagah:

God is the only owner of every thing and in Isa Upanishad the first verse states as follows.

"ALL THIS –whatever exists in this changing universe- should be covered by the lord. Protect the Self by renunciation. Lust not after any man's wealth".

Hence we do not own anything in this world. Rejecting all  claims and ownership of everything and surrendering to the lord in Atma Nivedhana Bhakthi is Sarva Abhimana parithyagah;

Next is rejecting all anxieties and worries caused by our relationship with the external world of objects and persons. All thoughts about the welfare of oneself and his family, relations and friends, seeking name and fame, wealth ,health etc leads to all kinds of anxieties and worries in life. Rejecting all the anxieties and worries are Sarva Chinthaa Parithyagah:

All forms of special prayers to gain certain things in life like children, wealth health etc, taking vows and pilgrimages to get some punyam/palam in life is to be rejected- that is Sarva Vishesa Prarthanaa Parithyagah:

How does one take to this sanyasa? Not by just renouncing but taking a Sankalpa that from today on wards I reject all things as said above and continue doing my duties including the nithya naimithika karmaas reinforcing the surrender to the Lord. Surrendering the ego at lord's feet gives mental strength that leads to Gnanam. Disclaiming control and ownership includes the body mind complex-that is deha/chinthaa abhimana parithyagah:. If moksha is the goal Anthara Sanyasa is compulsory. An example of that is the King Janaka's life