Geethartha Chinthane 136: Why feel sad when blood is shed? Not because of blood itself

We are familiar with the story of Dadhichi Rishi. When he was asked to allow his body to be used to create a weapon, he agreed without hesitation. This was because he had let go of his attachment to the body. He understood that the body was not his. Hence, the root cause of the soul’s experience of happiness and sorrow lies in attachment to the body.

For instance, when an accident occurs and blood is shed, we feel sorrow. However, this sorrow is not because of the bloodshed itself. It arises from the notion that “this body is mine.” The suffering of the body is experienced by the soul due to this attachment. If one practices renouncing attachment to the body, it becomes possible to transcend both happiness and sorrow. Such practice should be undertaken gradually and consistently through continuous reflection.

Similarly, just as sorrow affects the body, it also affects the mind. If someone insults us, we feel distressed. The insult affects the mind, and we think, “I am a significant person.” But if others treat us as though we are insignificant, we feel hurt. The cause of this sorrow is the suffering of the mind. The ego, which identifies the mind as “great,” feels the pain of being undermined.

This attachment stems from identifying the mind as “mine” and viewing our children, family, and loved ones as part of “us.”

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