by Sri Bmal Mohanty
VOL No. 7
 January 2001

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"Based on lectures by Sri Bimal Mohanty"

continued...

However to have clean and pure thoughts all the time is very difficult as every one knows. Even great seers and seekers of truth – as our puranic stories tell us – have fallen victims of desire some time or other. Therefore along with pure thoughts , a continuous control over one’s inner desires is essential. Indriya nigraha means not letting our sense organs run astray. Indriyas have to be our slaves – we should not be theirs’. This is one of the most practical aspects of the Sanatana philosophy. Indriya nigraha or control over the sense organs is perhaps the most debated topic and finds reference in practically all our religious literature. In the initial stages of sadhana it may appear a very difficult task indeed. However even common people like you and me have found out that remaining conscious of one’s sense organs itself creates an attitude of maintaining mastery over them. As days pass the benefits become obvious and this attitude becomes self-strengthening.

The practice of Akrodhah - or absence of anger- synonymous with practice of righteous living is a great idea. Krodha or anger is equated with temporary insanity. An insane person has no knowledge of right or wrong. How can then dharma have any relevance? Worth remembering here are the words of Bhagavad Gita

Krodhat bhavati sammohah sammohat smrtivibhramah, smrti bhramsat buddhinasa budhinasat pranasyati.

Anger leads to temporary insanity. An insane person has loss of memory. With nothing in memory to guide, there is lack of discerning power. The end is destruction.

The Mahabharata war is a great example of how it happens.

The next three components of righteous living Dhi, Vidya and Satya address to the higher level of intellectual pursuit.

            


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