When The Sense Organs Stop Running after Objects

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Jaya Guru Datta,

 

Here is today's saying:

 

“3. Uparati

 

Uparati literally means 'to rest'. Stimuli such as form, sound, touch, smell,

etc., attract the mind and cause bondage. We become attracted to an object we

see because we think that there is something very special in it. When

discrimination dawns on us and when we realise that they are not permanent and

that indulging in such attraction will only bring misery, we will no more be

attracted by them. Consequently, the sense organs will stop running behind them.

Such a recess of the sense organs is called Uparati.

 

When Dama is practised with the help of Uparati achieved by the power of

discrimination, it leads us to 'Shama'. On the other hand, if Dama is practised

either out of fear or for the sake of acquiring some supernatural power, it will

cause more harm than good.

 

For example, a thief, who refrains from stealing when a police officer is

around, will go back to his old habit once he sees an innocuous victim. The

demons who undertake intense tapas by forcefully suppressing the sense organs

and the mind to appease Lord Brahma will ultimately turn out to become terrible

tormentors.

 

Therefore, only when Dama is practised with the help of Uparati, it will yield

favourable results.

 

Sri Swamiji

Lessons in Vedanta - 27 part III

Bhakti Mala, January, 1998

 

 

 

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