Is Mendicancy Relevant For The Present Society?

दाता धर्मी दे दो दान, देने वाला श्री भगवान— Asceticism In Twenty first Century: Dr. Poonam Singh

A way out of penury and abundance. What is wrong in honestly earning money instead of taking it as alms, acquired by dishonest and criminals? The real problem is, in giving free rein to our desires and emotions. If we will try to fulfill our necessities only not desires then it will be within the limits of spirituality. It is not necessary to torture ourselves for Self-Realization or God-Realization. The bondage happened because of the flaws in our karmas. Then, what must be our way to liberation? Probably, doing only good karmas will work. By taking alms from criminals or dishonest persons will, definitely, increase their baggage of Prarabdha karmas. Resultantly, it wouldn’t serve the purpose, for which it has been mentioned.

Further, what if everyone in this society will become mendicant? According to Kantian view about universal law, we should behave, in that manner, so that it will become an universal law. So, if everyone will become mendicant, then, who will give alms to whom?

Again, government has banned beggery and it is considered as unlawful activity. Therefore, chances are high that instead of Mukti ( liberation) the Yogi will land in jail for Bhukti ( punishment). Again, it will create a new vicious circle of Karmaphal, for the Yogi.

Since, now-a-days, ascetics have lost their dignity, therefore, there is little chance of getting alms. Therefore, now Yogis should earn themselves instead of asking for it. It will get back their lost dignity. Also, it will reduce the chances of unemployed idler’s turning in to sanyasi, just to exploit people. It will restore the cosmic order for which yogis, live up to. This is the golden yoga (union) of the to extreme views of penury and abundance.