Bondage and Freedom

Author(s): Chitrabhanu
Publisher: Divine Knowledge Society

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the weak man allows his desires to rule him, the strong man rules his desires. It is a question of mental strength or weakness. A great deal depends upon it, for the difference between a free soul and a captive soul depends upon it. The mind, if it is well trained, controls bodily desires and opens the way for the liberation of the soul. This is nothing mystic, it does not need rigorous. penance or severe austerity that only a few can practise. It is something practical, it is within the reach of all of us. It needs an effort; a sincere effort, but not a superhuman effort, and every human being worth his name must be capable of making it. Whatever be your position or occupation in life, you will always be subject to temptations, your senses will tempt you in many ways. Restrain them with a firm hand; make up your mind that you will not succumb to them, but subdue them. You may not reach the heights that the noblest of men have reached, but you will have attempted and achieved something.
I would like to tell you the story of a great man who can serve you as an example of nobility at its best. As you listen to this story make a note of how much provocation this man had from some of the passions we have been talking about; from anger and hatred and revenge, and yet, how he subdued them. Such a man was Koshalraj. This is the story of Kashiraj and Koshalraj.
Kashiraj was a great and powerful king. Koshalraj ruled over a small kingdom. Though he was only a
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