Resolve To Restrain & Rejuvinate!
By H H Maa Purnananda
“Raagdveshviyuktaistu Vishayaanindriyaishcharan; Aatmvashyairvidheyaatma Prasaadamadhigachhati.” – (Sreemad Bhagawad Geeta – 2/64)
Self-control, self-discipline, self-restraint are all extremely important for all those who would like to tread the Spiritual Path. The seeker cannot afford to excuse himself for not practicing all these three at all times, in any situation under any circumstances, for, these are the basic requirements if he aspires self-improvement and elevation. Irrespective of the response from the world, if he is able to refrain himself from getting swayed into reactionary behaviour and is able to remain well-established in the thoughtfulness of fundamental principles laid by our revered Guru Parampara; then only he would be able to understand the true import of our Scriptures.
Let the seekers not under-estimate the efforts that are required to comprehend, imbibe and implement the Scriptural teachings. Mere reading, hearing and discussing amongst equals, the Sacred texts such as Sreemad Bhagawad Geeta, Sreemad Bhaagwatam and Sree Ram Charit Manas, one might get enchanted by the uniqueness of the Scriptures. Moreover, by going through those couple of times, they seem to be easily understandable, especially if one would have come across a good commentary or detailed explanations of the same.
Such efforts surely help the seeker in some way, but, let us understand that it is not at all sufficient for a sincere seeker. Partaking good meals alone cannot keep you healthy. The food has to be well digested, assimilated and the roughage has to be discarded within the stipulated time, else, it causes disease and decay. After the initial processing, the assimilated food has to turn into blood, marrow and in turn, all its nutrients have to be well absorbed and circulated throughout the physical body and the mind, to nourish them properly in every possible way; failing which, the morsels eaten so caringly after so much of effort, and cherished along with the loved ones, would be of no use, and rather would inflict diseases and decay.
In the same way, and even more so, when such Holy Scriptures are read without proper guidance, without sufficient humility and reverence and rather with arrogance; the seeker leads himself to further delusion, complacence and self-destruction. Therefore, it is extremely important to sincerely practice the above-mentioned three instructions while studying the Scriptures.
In the given Shlok, Sree Bhagwaan mentions about an important practice which the seeker just cannot afford to overlook. The Lord tells about the practice of self-control, self-discipline and self-restraint that would lead the practitioner to tranquillity and steadiness of mind. When a self-controlled person moves amongst objects with the senses under restraint, remaining free from worldly attachments and aversions, he surely attains peace of mind. Thus, the outcome of self-restraint would be that in the peaceful mind, all pains would be destroyed. The intellect of the tranquil-minded soon becomes steady.
A man of steady intellect, once convinced about the authenticity and credibility of the invaluable Sacred Texts, would always be faithful and responsible towards Sree Guru Parampara Who have compassionately and graciously provided such inspiring Texts that reveal the unfathomable secrets about the unpercievable Supreme Reality. Thereafter, due to his steady intellect, he would be able to further persue his Sadhna on the basis of his Spiritual learnings from Them.
Each year, the seeker needs to introspect and reassess his Spiritual progress keeping in mind, that his actual Spiritual progress would be established only when his intellect becomes steady in the way discussed above. May the faithful seekers earn the blessings of Sree Guru Parampara for steadiness of intellect, by sincerely practising self-control, self-discipline and self-restraint!