Tuesday, June 18, 2024

Vieckachudamani - Post 29

  Verse 23     


विषयेभ्यः परावर्त्य स्थापनं स्वस्वगोलके
उभयेषामिन्द्रियाणां दमः परिकीर्तितः
बाह्यानालम्बनं वृत्तेरेषोपरतिरुत्तमा २३

viṣayebhyaḥ parāvartya sthāpanaṃ svasvagolake |
ubhayeṣāmindriyāṇāṃ sa damaḥ parikīrtitaḥ
bāhyānālambanaṃ vṛttereṣoparatiruttamā || 23 ||

 

(Steering both kinds of sense organs (of knowledge and action), away from their sense objects and placing them in their respective centres of activity is called 'dama' (self-control). The best 'uparati' (self-withdrawal) is that condition of the thought waves in which they are free by from the influences of external objects.) 

 



In this verse we have the explanations of two more requirements of the mind and intellect which are essential in an aspirant. They are dama and uparati. 

 

Dama

 

Compared with sama, dama is a system of discipline concerned with a relatively outer field since it prescribes a control for the sense organs. 


Dama is control of the Indriyas (sense-organs). This is rational control, not blunting or deadening of the sense by foolish austerities. 

 

This body is the moving temple of God. It should be kept healthy and strong. It is a vessel to take you to the other shore of fearlessness and immortality; it is a horse to take you to the goal.

 

Ignorant people adopt foolish methods to control the senses.

 

Remember, it is only the abuse or misuse of the organs that brings misery and untoward results. The senses should be consecrated at the Lotus Feet of the Lord for His services. They should be utilized in serving one's Guru and other Mahatmas. 

 

If the senses are disciplined properly and if they are kept under control, they become your useful servants.

 

People ask: "Where is the necessity for the practice of Dama, when one practices Sama?" Dama, control of the senses, is also necessary. Then only will one get supreme control of mind. 

 

Though the senses cannot independently do any havoc when the mind is under control, yet their control ensures perfect safety and supreme peace of mind.

 

When one's inclinations and emotions, desires and appetites, senses and mind are under control, it is called self-control. Control yourself first, then you can control others. Self-control clears the mind, strengthens judgment and elevates your character. 

 

There is no triumph more glorious than that of the victory obtained over your own Self. Till you have done this, you will only be a slave of the senses. He who is subject to his passions is the worst slave on the surface of this earth; he who rules his passions, desires, cravings and senses is the real King of Kings.

 

When one has gained a degree of proficiency in sama and dama, uparati (self-withdrawal) automatically takes place, wherein the seeker's mental condition is such that, it no longer gets affected by any disturbances created by external objects. 

 

Uparati

 

Uparati is satiety; it is resolutely turning the mind away from the desire for sensual enjoyment. Rather, it is cessation for worldly longings. 

 

Some define Uparati as renunciation of all works and taking up Sannyasa. This state of mind comes naturally when one has practiced Viveka, Vairagya, Sama and Dama.

 

Sri Sankara defines Uparati in His Viveka Chudamani as follows:  


"The best Uparati, self-withdrawal, consists in the mind function ceasing to act by means of external objects".

Uparati implies an inner satisfaction gained through constant discrimination and unshaken faith in the spiritual fact that the experience of true bliss and plenitude is to be had only in the Atman. 

The mind of the student who is established in Uparati will never be agitated when he sees a beautiful object. There will be no attraction. He will have the same feeling when he sees a woman as when he looks at a tree or a log of wood. 

When he looks at delicious fruits or palatable dishes he will not be tempted. He will have no craving for any particular object or dish and will never say "I want such and such food".

He will be satisfied with anything that is placed before him. This is due to the strength of mind he has developed by the practice of Viveka, Vairagya, Sama and Dama. 

Further, the mind experiences a wonderful calmness and transcendental spiritual bliss by the above practices. 

It does not want these little illusory pleasures. If you have got sugar-candy, your mind will never run after black sugar. 

You can wean the mind from the object to which it is attached by training it to taste a superior kind of bliss.  

 

Love.

 


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