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Source: thThe Hindu

(http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/07/22/stories/2002072200640800.htm)

 

Miscellaneous

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Religion

  

 

One must try to control the senses

 

 

 

 

CHENNAI

JULY 22.

 

Though several guidelines have been incorporated in our scriptural works, some

of them may appear to be extremely difficult to follow by all, more so in the

present circumstances when they are surrounded by temptations. For instance, it

is easy to advise a person to avoid worldly pleasures beyond a limit. No one can

easily conquer the influence of the senses, but what is intended to focus is

that there should be moderation in one's habits. His quest for enjoyment should

be within bounds. For instance, consuming some prohibited food will kindle the

animal instincts in man and hence he is asked to refrain from such types lest he

should turn beastly. There are restrictions on the nature of one's diet and when

a man confines himself to them his behaviour will be found to be gentle and

soft. Any act of enjoyment of any kind that exceeds the normal standards will

result in calamites. To explain the repercussions of such deeds, Sri Vishwesha

Theertha Swami (Udupi Pejawar Math), in!

a discourse, gave an illustration. A bird in need of food, after search for a

long time, spotted a carcass floating in the sea and seated on it started

pecking its prey. In the process it became oblivious of time and place and

ultimately found that the dead body had drifted from the shore. Tired and unable

to fly back, it perished only to become prey for other birds.

 

Man claiming to possess the rare faculty of thinking and conducting himself in

accordance with the moral code, should be judicious. No one asks him to totally

abjure worldly pleasures but he should not become an animal by justifying that

no harm will result out of his dangerous activities, defying the spiritual

injunctions. For having coveted his brother's wife, Vali (in the Ramayana) was

duly punished by the Lord, who descended in human form to re-establish moral

order. Anjaneya had the power to have dealt with him but he was not assigned

that task. A similar restraint was displayed by Bhima (in the Mahabharata) while

dealing with the wicked forces when Draupadi was being insulted, but he left it

to the Lord (who had come as Krishna) to punish the culprits and save the honour

of His devotee. The Law of Righteousness should be strictly adhered to by

studying the sacred texts in which numerous instances of how God had extended

His grace have been portrayed. If the rules are d!

iscarded, the violator will be caught in the cycle of rebirths.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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