Tirukural/Chapter 35

Kural - 341 From whatever, aye, whatever, man gets free, From what, aye, from that, no more of pain hath he! Whatever thing, a man has renounced, by that thing; he cannot suffer pain.

Kural - 342 'Renunciation' made- ev'n here true pleasures men acquire; 'Renounce' while time is yet, if to those pleasures you aspire. After a man has renounced (all things), there will still be many things in this world (which he may enjoy); if he should desire them, let him, while it is time abandon. (the world).

Kural - 343 'Perceptions of the five' must all expire;- Relinquished in its order each desire Let the five senses be destroyed; and at the same time, let everything be abandoned that (the ascetic) has (formerly) desired.

Kural - 344 'Privation absolute' is penance true; 'Possession' brings bewilderment anew. To be altogether destitute is the proper condition of those who perform austerities; if they possess anything, it will change (their resolution) and bring them back to their confused state.

Kural - 345 To those who sev'rance seek from being's varied strife, Flesh is burthen sore; what then other bonds of life? What means the addition of other things those who are attempting to cut off (future) births, when even their body is too much (for them).

Kural - 346 Who kills conceit that utters 'I' and 'mine', Shall enter realms above the powers divine. He who destroys the pride which says "I", "mine" will enter a world which is difficult even to the Gods to attain.

Kural - 347 Who cling to things that cling and eager clasp, Griefs cling to them with unrelaxing grasp. Sorrows will never let go their hold of those who give not up their hold of desire.

Kural - 348 Who thoroughly 'renounce' on highest height are set; The rest bewildered, lie entangled in the net. Those who have entirely renounced (all things and all desire) have obtained (absorption into God); all others wander in confusion, entangled in the net of (many) births.

Kural - 349 When that which clings falls off, severed is being's tie; All else will then be seen as instability. At the moment in which desire has been abandoned, (other) births will be cut off; when that has not been done, instability will be seen.

Kural - 350 Cling thou to that which He, to Whom nought clings, hath bid thee cling, Cling to that bond, to get thee free from every clinging thing. Desire the desire of Him who is without desire; in order to renounce desire, desire that desire.