Tyaag and Moksha: The Path to Oneness

In the vast tapestry of spiritual wisdom, the pursuit of Moksha, or liberation, stands as the pinnacle of human aspiration. Moksha is not merely a release from the cycle of birth and death; it is the ultimate union with the Divine, the realization of our true nature. The concept of Tyaag, or renunciation, is central to this pursuit, and its profound implications are beautifully illustrated in the teachings of Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi and sacred texts like the Srimad Bhagavad Gita and the Mahanarayan Upanishad.

#### The Essence of Tyaag

A striking anecdote involving Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi captures the essence of Tyaag. A philanthropist, having dedicated his life to building temples, schools, and engaging in various social services, sought guidance from Ramana on achieving Moksha. Ramana's reply was simple yet profound: “Do not do anything. Stop all activities and remain still, as you are.”

This response underscores the essence of Tyaag, which is not about the renunciation of material possessions or external duties but about the cessation of internal activities—thoughts, desires, and ego-driven actions. It is the relinquishment of the very impulse to act from a sense of personal doership.

#### Scriptural Insights

The Srimad Bhagavad Gita encapsulates this idea in the term "Sarvarambha Parityagi" (सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी), which Shankaracharya interprets as the renunciation of all activities, not merely their commencement. This suggests a state of being where one is not driven by the compulsion to initiate actions but remains a passive observer, responding naturally to the flow of life without personal attachment or egoistic involvement.

Similarly, the Mahanarayan Upanishad declares, “Na karmana na prajaya dhanena tyagenaike amritatvamanashuh” (न कर्मणा न प्रजया धनेन त्यागेनैके अमृतत्वमानशुः), affirming that immortality is not attained through actions, progeny, or wealth, but through renunciation. This renunciation is not of the external world but of the internal impulses that bind us to the cycle of karma.

#### The Path to Oneness

True renunciation, or Tyaag, leads to a state of Oneness. This is a state where the observer and the observed merge, where the creator and the created become indistinguishable. In this state, the ego dissolves, leaving no room for the sense of individual self. There is only pure being, a seamless integration with the Divine.

This state of Oneness is the ultimate stage of creativity. It is a state where one does not initiate actions but allows actions to flow through them, guided by the cosmic intelligence. It is the pinnacle of spiritual evolution, where the individual self is absorbed into the universal self.

#### Practical Implications

In practical terms, achieving Tyaag requires a disciplined mind and a heart open to the Divine. It involves regular meditation, self-inquiry, and a deep commitment to living in the present moment. By cultivating a state of inner stillness and detachment, one can gradually transcend the ego and experience the true nature of the self.

In conclusion, Tyaag and Moksha are intertwined in the journey towards spiritual liberation. By embracing renunciation—not of the world, but of the ego and its incessant demands—we can attain a state of Oneness, the ultimate realization of our divine essence. This path, as emphasized by Bhagavan Ramana, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Upanishads, leads us to the profound truth that liberation lies in the stillness of being, where we become one with the infinite consciousness.