An attitude of detachment towards sensual enjoyments and objects destroys all sorts of infatuations and desires. One who is detached from the world experiences the worldly drama as a witness and passes beyond grief. Detachment is neither inaction nor foolish austerities; it is upholding a mental attitude in the course of daily action.
A person may have nothing, yet his mind may be full of desires. A renunciate may be attached to his loin cloth or begging bowl although he lives alone in a forest, whereas a king may remain perfectly detached although he lives amidst luxuries and opulence. Sri Krishna advises Arjuna:
Cultivate freedom from attachment and identification with children, wife or husband, home and the rest;
Constant even-mindedness amidst pleasant and unpleasant events; detachment from worldly-minded people, and constant and unswerving devotion to Me. (13:9-10)