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The Story of King Sudama
Yoga Shastra, Fourth Light, Verses 26-27
Meaning: Here, the senses are compared to horses. A horse is naturally restless, and if the rider does not control it, it will quickly run away into the desolate, rugged jungle. Similarly, those who do not control their senses are forced by them onto the wrong path, leading them to hell. This means that if one does not conquer their senses, they will be destined for hell. || 25 ||
How does a slave to the senses go to hell? This is explained:
|| 352 || Indriyai:rvijit: jantu: kshayair abhibhuyate. Viraih krishteishtaka: purvam vaprah kai: kai:n khandhyate? || 26 ||
A being who is defeated by the senses is overcome by kshayas (negative emotions). When brave warriors pull out a brick from a fort, who then cannot break it? Even a weak man can then destroy it. || 26 ||
Meaning:
Explanation:
• A soul that cannot conquer its senses is also subdued by kshayas; they take over. Therefore, the first advice given is to conquer the senses in order to conquer kshayas. Conversely, one who does not strive for victory over the senses becomes subject to kshayas through the senses and becomes destined for hell. Here, there is a doubt: if someone is unable to conquer their senses, they may face obstacles in conquering them, but how can there be an opportunity for obstacles to arise in conquering kshayas? This is explained through an example: a brave warrior pulls out a brick from a fort, and then his weaker companions easily pull out one brick after another, collapsing the fort. Similarly, a person defeated by the senses is immediately defeated by kshayas, like an ordinary man. Because kshayas usually follow the senses. Therefore, one who has not subdued the senses is defeated by kshayas and goes to hell, losing both in this world and in this life. || 26 ||
This is also said:
|| 353 || Kulaghatay paatay, bandhay cha vadhay cha. Anirjitan: jayante, karanani sharirirnam || 27 ||
Meaning: Unconquered (uncontrolled) senses are destructive to the family of embodied beings, causing downfall, bondage, and death. || 27 ||
Explanation:
• If the senses are not suppressed, these unrestrained senses invite the destruction of the lineage in this life, corruption of the kingdom, bondage in prison (jail), and death. Ravana could not control his senses, he desired to have sexual relations with another man's wife; because of this, Rama and Lakshmana destroyed his lineage. This example has been mentioned before. If the senses are not controlled, a ruler like King Sudama becomes dethroned or degraded.
The Story of King Sudama:
In a city, King Sudama ruled. He was very fond of eating different kinds of meat. He ate meat with great passion and was very happy. One day, his cook had cooked meat and kept it aside, but a cat snatched it while he was momentarily distracted. The devout followers of the city had made a proclamation of Amaripattah (non-violence) to please the king that day; therefore, no living being was to be killed that day, so no meat of any kind could be found. Therefore, fearing the king's anger, the cook brought a child and cooked its meat and fed it to the king, satisfying him. The king found the meat very delicious, so he took the cook aside, made him swear an oath, and asked him. The cook told him the whole truth. The king now developed a craving for human flesh. He deployed servants everywhere in the city to catch all the children. When the city dwellers found out about this, they united, persuaded the minister, the chief administrator, and everyone else to their side, and got the king drunk until he fainted. Later, they tied him up and left him in the jungle. King Sudama, under the control of his tongue, was dethroned from his kingdom, separated from his family and lineage, and lay in the jungle, groaning like a dog.
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