It is not enough for a jivatma to understand the truth that every birth provides a sure chance to get liberated. He has to learn to make a choice between worldly goals such as wealth, enjoyment and prosperity and remain focused on renunciation which is the only way out of the cycle of birth. Normally it is difficult to relinquish physical comforts and even an austere way of life does not always mean one has renounced. True renunciation is rooted in the mind and consciousness. It manifests in the attitude, actions and is best learnt from Rama and Bharata, pointed out Sri Jamadagni in a discourse.
Dasaratha wishes to crown Rama as the prince of Ayodhya and at that point Rama becomes the heir to the throne and all its attendant paraphernalia of kingship inclusive of the power, pelf and responsibilities in the situation. In a trice all is taken away from Rama. There is no kingdom, no comforts of palace life, and only the life of a hermit in the forest beset with dangers. Rama is able to accept both extreme states with equanimity. This is because Rama has already renounced everything that has been openly acknowledged as His own by all.
Bharata’s renunciation is equally commendable. Though he now becomes heir to all that had been Rama’s, his mind is never ever drawn to all this at any point of time. There is no trace of any hankering. That is why both brothers are not tempted by any kind of persuasion to accept the kingdom though they never swerve from the law of dharma and truth. They both adhere to their respective duties in a detached manner. Dhruva’s life also exemplifies the tensions and pulls in a jivatma caught in samsara and the crucial significance of penance and renunciation.
