Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Antya 2.120
Renunciation Requires More Than an Outward Appearance
“There are many persons with little in their possession who accept the renounced order of life like monkeys. They go here and there engaging in sense gratification and speaking intimately with women.”
What the purport teaches
- Spiritual progress requires following the regulative principles: no illicit sex, no meat-eating, no intoxication and no gambling.
- Markaṭa-vairāgya means renunciation like that of a monkey: outward simplicity while remaining attached to sense gratification. An unfit person should not sentimentally accept the renounced order.
- Accepting the dress of a sannyāsī or bābājī for praise, while retaining sensual desires, does not bring spiritual advancement. Imitating those who have attained an elevated stage of renunciation is a serious misunderstanding.
Try this today
Review the four regulative principles and identify one concrete way to follow them more carefully today.
Ask yourself
Am I more concerned with appearing renounced or with actually giving up sense gratification?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.