Hare Krsna,
The topic of renunciation is extensively elaborated in the 18th Chapter of Bhagavad Gita. The chapter is aptly titled ‘Conclusion – The Perfection of Renunciation’. At the beginning of the chapter, Arjuna asks Krsna to explain the difference between renunciation and the renounced order of life. In response, the Lord replies that giving up of activities that are based on material desire is called the renounced order of life; giving up the results of all activities is called renunciation.
BG 18.1-2:
Arjuna said: O mighty-armed one, I wish to understand the purpose of renunciation [tyāga] and of the renounced order of life [sannyāsa], O killer of the Keśī demon, master of the senses.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: The giving up of activities that are based on material desire is what great learned men call the renounced order of life [sannyāsa]. And giving up the results of all activities is what the wise call renunciation [tyāga].
Lord Krsna further elaborates on renunciation. He explains that renunciation is of three kinds based on the material modes of nature. If one gives up prescribed duties prematurely because of illusion, such renunciation is said to be in the mode of ignorance. Anyone who gives up prescribed duties as troublesome or out of fear of bodily discomfort is said to have renounced in the mode of passion. Such action never leads to the elevation of renunciation. When one performs his prescribed duty only because it ought to be done and renounces all material association and all attachment to the fruit, his renunciation is said to be in the mode of goodness. (BG 18.7-9)
Finally, Lord Krsna gives His final instruction on renunciation. One should abandon all varieties of religion and must simply surrender unto Him. This is the highest form of renunciation.
“Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.” (BG 18.66)
Similarly keeping the same understanding of renunciation in this section of the chapter where Kardama Muni finally goes to the forest, Srila Prabhupada explains that one should take one-hundred-percent shelter of the Supreme Lord. It does not matter if one actually goes to the forest or prefers to stay at home, one must accept exclusively the shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and engage oneself in full service. At the present moment, it is not possible for someone living in urban areas to suddenly give up everything and take to the austerities of forest life. The person may end up being more disturbed in the new environment as he has to reset everything on how to sustain himself with limited resources. Forests have no conveniences of modern life such as running water, heating/cooling systems, availability of resources on one’s fingertips, good healthcare systems, and so on. The transition from village life to forest live is easier than the transition from city life to forest life. In the absence of proper varnasrama system in current age, the transition to forest life is easier said than done. What is the use of artificially going to the forest but struggling to remember Krsna which is the sole purpose of going to forest? It is like saying that the surgical operation is successful, but the patient died.
Renunciation has two aspects – becoming free from material entanglement such as family relationships and exclusively engage in Krsna consciousness. Renunciation means exclusive surrender to Krsna. Srila Sanatana Goswami, in his Hari Bhakti Vilas (11.676), defines surrender as “the acceptance of those things favorable to devotional service, the rejection of unfavorable things, the conviction that Kṛṣṇa will give protection, the acceptance of the Lord as one’s guardian or master, full self-surrender, and humility.”
Therefore, it does not matter whether one actually goes to the forest or not. Wherever one is situated, one must always remember Krsna by chanting His Holy Name and gradually progress on the six aspects of surrender as described above. This is true renunciation.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Krsna Katha 