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Thus, if one really fears cycle of births and deaths and adhi-vyadhi and upadhi-all sorts of troubles-whether arising due to an internal cause or an external factor, one must practise religion of Gnan (knowledge), Darshan (Faith) and Charitra (Conduct) which would surely sublimate Self into Godliness.
Self control plays an important role. It must start with controling an organ of speech and taste, which is Tapa. Nature has given us five senses; we have two eyes to see, two ears to hear and two nostrils to smell, but we have only one tongue. It is so important that it performs two functions viz., of tasting and speaking. Besides, to protect it, Nature has provided two sets of teeth. The tougue is born with us and will remain with us till we die. However, the teeth grow after the birth and are lost before we die. The reason is that the teeth are stiff, while the tongue is soft and pliable. A soft nature evokes a favourable response. An humble person who speaks ill of none is liked by all. The control of toungue both for taste and in speech is really considered quite difficult to achieve as the following sloka indicates :
Four Things are Difficult to Control : अक्खाणं रसणी कम्माणं मोहणी, वयाण तह चेव बंभवयं ।
गुत्तीण मणगुत्ती चउरो दुक्खेहिं जप्पन्ति ॥ Amongst the five senses, it is difficult to control the sense of taste-mohaniya karma, which causes infatuation and veils knowledge, amongst the group of eight karmas, Brahmacharya-the vow of celebacy or sexual restraint, among the five great vows, and "mangupti-control of a mind, among the three guptis.
The seeker of God must control his tongue to sublimate himself. If the twin functions of the tongue-speaking and eating are not controlled, it would lead to one's downfall and degradation.
From the times immemmorial i. e. since, we are in Ekendriya stage, we have developed the instinct of eating. To uproot that instinct, we must practise penance and control our desire to eat. It is to be done with understanding of the mind, and not with ferce. It will result in both-physical well-being and spiritual health. Penance that destroys the bonds of karmas, can also earn for us Tirthankar Namkarma. It's importance cannot be over emphasized in spiritual progress. The habit of doing some penance must be found a place of honour in our life. A beginnig must be made now and here by taking a vow, but how shall we observe a Vow?
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