Simplifying Aparigraha And Karuna

Aparigraha is one of the Yamas (Yama is the first step in ‘Ashtanga Yoga’ or the eight limbs of yoga.

- Vikram Trivedi

Aparigraha

Aparigraha is one of the Yamas (Yama is the first step in ‘Ashtanga Yoga’ or the eight limbs of yoga. Yama deals mostly with our external ethical behavior ethical restraints (or don’ts) that a spiritual practitioner must follow).

Aparigraha means non-accumulation of unwanted things; neutralizing the desire to acquire and hoard wealth. Yoga feels that the collection or hoarding of things implies a lack of faith in God and in the individual himself to provide for his future.

This story on Aparigraha is about an old lady who lived in a small town in Saurashtra, a part of Gujarat. One day a Swamiji, who was a regular visitor to the town, came there and conducted Bhagawat Saptah for a week. Many people attended the religious discourse. On the last day when the Bhagawat Saptah got over, Swamiji asked the devotees to contribute generously for a noble cause. The money collected would be used for construction of wells, building roads and a school for the village. Everybody gave something and left the place. One very old, poor looking lady, walking with a stick, came to Swamiji (who thought this old lady may ask for some money from him) and said, “I also want to contribute something in kind. Can I do that?”

“Why not?” said Swamiji.