The Dhaarmik Traditions - Indic Studies Foundation

22. Bhartrihari is the author of vairagya satakam (hundred verses on renunciation).
In the verses, he reflects the inner struggles an aspirant faces in his sadhana.
He was a king of Ujjaini and was said to be an extremely powerful and rich king.
However, he renounced everything and became one of the great yogis. The
reason can be traced to one of the verses (verse 31) in his vairagya satakam
भोगे रोगभयं कु ले च्युितभयं िवक्त ुुपालाद्भयं
माने दैन्यभयं बले िरपुबयं रूपे जराया भयम ् ।
शाःज्ञे वािदभयं गुणोखलभयंकाये बतान्ताद्भयम ्
सरवर्ं वःतु बयािन्वतं भुिव न्ण वैराग्यमेवाभयम
्
् ।।
bhoge rogabhayaü kule cyutibhayaü vitte nçpàlàdbhayaü |
màne dainyabhayaü bale ripubhayaü råpe jaràyà bhayam ||
÷àstre vàdibhayaü guõe khalabhayaü kàye kçtàntàdbhayaü |
sarvaü vastu bhayànvitaü bhuvi nçõàü vairàgyamevàbhayam ||
Verse 31,Vairagya Satakam
With enjoyment, comes fear of disease
With social position, fear of disfavor
With riches, fear of hostile people (kings)
With honor, fear of humiliation
With power, fear of enemies
With beauty, fear of old age
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