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पहली चीज़ मज़े मारना, बाकी बातें बाद में || आचार्य प्रशांत, वेदांत महोत्सव आइ.आइ.एस.सी (IISc) (2022)
308.9K views
3 years ago
Luxury
Freedom
Materialism
Basic Needs
Love
Spirituality
Responsibility
Education
Description

A questioner relays his friends' argument that Acharya Prashant can speak of renunciation because his privileged educational background (IIT, IIM, Civil Services) made it easier for him to take bold decisions. They believe a common person must first achieve a basic level of luxury before considering spirituality, as they haven't experienced worldly pleasures to renounce them. Acharya Prashant refutes this by stating his life is an open book and he has not lived a life of indulgence. He explains that unlike others who use their education to earn lavishly, he used his to pay off his education loan. He calls the idea of needing to enjoy pleasures before renouncing them a useless excuse to postpone living a correct life, a logic some gurus also use by telling people to first build a palace before they can leave it. Acharya Prashant redefines 'basic' not as material comfort but as what is essential to fulfill life's fundamental purpose. He advises gathering only the necessary resources for this right work and nothing more. The greatest luxury, he asserts, is not material wealth like private jets or islands, but living a right and true life, free from being a slave to circumstances. This freedom includes not fearing anyone, being accountable only to the Truth, and speaking freely without calculation. He states that this is the great luxury he possesses. He further explains that the relationship between parents and children is often transactional, not based on love. He calls it a myth that parents inherently love their children, as love is something that must be learned with great effort. He argues that most people are not awakened enough to love, and giving birth without this understanding is a grave crime. When parents demand a return on their 'investment', the relationship becomes a business. In such a case, he humorously suggests asking for the contract. If the relationship is based on love, there should be no demands. He advises repaying the debt to parents without mortgaging one's own freedom.