Should one forsake worldly responsibilities and pursue only the spiritual path?

Should one forsake worldly responsibilities and pursue only the spiritual path? Hear Sringeri Jagadguru Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Mahaswamiji's insights from a recent Anugraha Bhashanam:

It is extremely important to follow a spiritual path and worship the Bhagawan in order to attain fulfilment and meaning in one’s life. In his Lakshmi Narasimha Pancharatna Stotra, Bhagavadpāda Ādi Shankarāchārya says –

चेतोभृङ्ग भ्रमसि वृथा भवमरुभूमौ विरसायां

भज भज लक्ष्मीनरसिंहानघपदसरसिजमकरन्दम् ||

Here, the mind is compared to a bee (भृङ्ग). A bee goes in search of flowers in order to enjoy the taste of nectar (मकरन्द). However, here, the bee is going to a sandy desert in pursuit of nectar, where one can find no flowers at all. This is absolutely futile. Likewise, our mind goes chasing after happiness and accomplishment through mundane pursuits in this desert of samsara (भवमरुभूमौ), i.e., in the material world. This too is futile. Permanent bliss and peace can never be achieved through the fulfilment of worldly desires. Worldly objects can only provide short-term happiness and pleasure.

If the bee goes to a flower garden, it can find flowers and nectar in no time. Similarly, Adi Shankara points out that to get eternal happiness, one should seek the divine flower, i.e., the lotus feet of the Bhagawan (Lakshmi Narasimha), which can give us the nectar of eternal joy.

However, some may ask whether they should forsake all their worldly responsibilities such as home and family, and pursue only the spiritual path. They would also wonder as to how they can lead a life at all, if they do not pursue their careers and earn a living.

One cannot, and definitely should not, give up one’s regular responsibilities. Discharging one’s worldly responsibilities is also a form of worship. Nonetheless, one should not get completely immersed in these, as they will not grant permanent redemption. Therefore, one has to pursue two paths simultaneously – leading one’s life through worldly activities, and transcending beyond through worship of the Lord. courtesy ahambrahmaasmi. org

One might argue - what is wrong in pursuing only worldly matters? The answer is that there is nothing worthy about this. Even animals meet their worldly responsibilities. They too take necessary steps to obtain food and to protect themselves from external threats. However, they cannot be guided to do anything beyond this. On the other hand, a human being has the capability to go beyond. One should therefore pursue life with a spiritual goal and keep his temporal exposure to the minimum.

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