Verse 23
विषयेभ्यः परावर्त्य स्थापनं स्वस्वगोलके ।
उभयेषामिन्द्रियाणां स 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.
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.
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:
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.
