Is Renunciation Essential for Happiness?

 Renunciation in the sense of repudiation or self-denial is definitely not essential for happiness. Sanyas is not the solution for the problems of samsara. Since human beings are endowed with buddhi, the power of discretion can be used to develop a harmonious relation with prakruti and live happily, joyfully. It is the ego that plays the spoilsport and kills the joy! The tormented jiva suffers because of this ignorance; it is the ignorance of  the true nature, svabhava, of the jiva forgetting that 'the Atman is always happy and joyful and needs no external support for its happiness' that causes the mortals to seek external, worldly indulgences, relations, objects of desire, and later feel disappointed and feel unhappy. 

 The Bhagavad-Gita is the ultimate guide and Bhagavan Shree Krishna only is speaking here! He, the Lord is kind, benevolent and compassionate. He, the Lord, knows the predicament of the jiva.  As 'antaryamin' seated within, as the 'Self' of all, He knows everything. Thus, there is no doubt as to what He says, but it is definitely not easy to understand. One must know the different contexts in which He speaks. He first speaks of 'Knowledge' as 'Sankhya' and narrates the process of creation in the 26 Principles. He goes on to explain the origin of the universe, the elements and their qualities, the nature of the jiva, its predicaments and offers solution. He advocates the paths of bhakti, jnyana, dhyana, vairagya, sanyasa, etc as means of salvation, emancipation. Finally, He goes to the extent of showing mercy to all those who surrender to Him!

However, it is very interesting to note that the surest means of happiness is 'equanimity' and, that is hard to come by. Bhagavan says, "O Arjuna, that yogi is co,nsidered the best who judges what is happiness and sorrow in all beings by the same standard as he would apply to himself.... (however) .. it is hard to acquire Arjuna." (Ch. VI  3). , Non-attachment with regard to objects of the senses, and also absence of egoism; seeing the evil in birth, death, old age, diseases and miseries; Non-attachment and absense of fondness with regard to sons, wives, homes, etc. and constant equanimity of the mind with regard to the attainment of the desirable and the undesirable." (Chapter XIII verses 8-11).

  Attainment of this state of equanimity by way of yogabhyasa and jnyan (discretion) is the key to happiness of the jiva. Acharya upasana (surrender and service at the feet of the Guru is essential in this regard, followed by practice of compassion and kindness to all other forms of life is advocated here. Nothing is possible as long as the power of ego overpowers the jiva and prevents it from surrendering to the will of the higher self (paramatman).