Defining Austerity

by Swami Suddhananda

"A meditative indulgence"

Austerity is shown as the hallmark of Hinduism and thus, rather unfairly, Hinduism is termed as ‘life negating’ or ‘life denying". Bhagavan Sankara in these five verses of ‘ Kaupina Pancakam’ draws a lucid pen portrait where we see the austerity more as a natural abandon or a choiceless choice rather that a rigorous religious discipline imperative for Self- Realisation.

Elaborating on these verses, Swami Suddhananda shows that the ultimate Renunciation is the renunciation of the individuality in the Vision of Oneness. In that Vastness, there is no renunciation, no indulgence. Ever abiding in That Reality, a man can work incessantly and build an empire or give up even the last piece of cloth and dwell in one place, ever satisfied with himself. Swamiji shows clearly that this state is every man’s birth right, not any one person’s privilege or prerogative.