Renunciation - The Very Beginning of Religion

Ay, you the mighty cause of this universe, trying to reflect yourself in little mud puddles! 

But after making the attempt for a time you find out it was all in vain and beat a retreat to the place from whence you came. 

This is Vairagya, or renunciation, and the very beginning of religion. 

How can religion or morality begin without renunciation itself? The Alpha and Omega is renunciation. 

"Give up," says the Veda, "give up." That is the one way, "Give up". 

न प्रजया धनेन त्यागेनैकेSमृतत्वमानशु: --"Neither through wealth, nor through progeny, but by giving up alone that immortality is to be reached." 

That is the dictate of the Indian books.

-   Swami Vivekananda, 

     Address at Calcutta,

     Lectures From Colombo to Almora