It is Attachment that Helps Detachment

Abstract

The involvement shown to an object is called "Attachment." Attachment is a common emotion. Desire to achieve whatever one sees; obsession with what is seen; these are all natural qualities of the mind. Goodness results when we adhere to good things; pleasure results from striving for the good. When the opposite occurs, endless suffering arises. In the complete state of that attachment, one becomes addicted to that object. In order to get rid of this suffering, the moral and devotional literatures advise us to suppress the mind by removing evil desires. It is not possible for us to live without attachment to everything mentioned in those scriptures as causing suffering in human life. Excessive attachment to a thing that is necessary for life makes us slaves to that thing. The mind suffers from desire. The mind suffers in the absence of that object. When our thoughts become joyful thoughts, our words and actions can also bring happiness. In order to attain that state, it is necessary to have a clear understanding of what we should be attached to. Devotional literature guides us to give up the inner attachment of "I" and the outer attachment of "Mine" in this world. They clearly show us the way to keep God in our hearts to get rid of addictions. They don't just talk about attachment. They also discuss the importance we should place on God above all else. Therefore, this article explains through Vaishnava literature's Azhwar hymns that those who follow the path of prayer and devotion are attached to something higher.