[Chaturamnaya] Jagadguru Speaks: Anchor in Sastras, Not in Senses

[S Jayanarayanan]

(Around the beginning of the month, a nugget of Wisdom from the Jagadguru may be posted
on the Chaturamnaya list : http://lists.advaita-vedanta.org/cgi-bin/listinfo/chaturamnaya )
 
 
Man's senses and mind are strange indeed. Certain times, 
he develops attachments to certain things that please, and 
aversion to certain things that repel, all conditioned by the 
vagaries of time. This is a weakness in man by which his 
mind gets agitated. An agitated mind lacks peace, and the 
consequence is suffering. 
 
Lord Krishna advises in Srimad Bhagavad Gita, “Senses have 
attachment and aversion to their respective objects; none 
should be swayed by them. They are indeed stumbling blocks 
on the path of betterment in man's life.” 
 
इन्द्रियस्येन्द्रियस्यार्थे रागद्वेषौ व्यवस्थितौ ।
तयोर्न वशमागच्छेत्तौ ह्यस्य परिपन्थिनौ ॥।
 
Hence, sense control and mind control are stated to be an 
important askesis in man's spiritual life.   
 
When attachment and aversion are restrained, man abides 
by the mandates of the Sastras and ceases to be under 
Nature's thrall. 
 
Thus man elevates himself and begins to experience an
unending divine joy in all aspects of his life.
We bless everyone to understand this and lead a
peaceful life.