| The stage of
Vanaprastha is only a preparation for a person, who, though in the world, is detached from
active life. Hence, Hindu thought does not require that every one should renounce life or
the world. It is only at the last stage before death as a preparation to the
attainment of immortality that the pre- scription is given for absolute renunciation and
for the quest of the knowledge of the Self. But
even when a person has, by renouncing the world, attained the know- ledge of the Self,
still, according to the Bhagavad Gita, he has to work for the welfare of the world."
The Lord goes to the extent of saying that He has nothing to gain or desire in the world
bur still He works for the welfare of the world and incarnates Himself for the purpose of
working for the welfare of mankind. |
