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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
18. SELF-CONTROL
OH! YOU PEOPLE THAT LOVE SELF-RESTRAINT!
The mind performs two actions, namely, worrying and reflection. Worry is more dreadful than the funeral-pyre because is the funeral pyre burns a dead body, worry burns a living person always. Worry is like fire. It can burn a man to ashes.
Calm reflection is one action that the mind performs. Even this is like fire but it burns Karmas (Our attachments, passions etc.) and it does not affect the bodily health. मन एव मनुष्याणां
कारणं बंध मोक्षय: Mana eva manushyānām
Kāraṇam handhi mokshayoh "The mind is the cause of bondage and release."
If the mind gets interested in sensual delights it binds us in Samsāra, and if it renounces desires and passions, it brings us the freedom, Moksha or salvation. If the mind burns with the fire of passion, it burns cven the soul, and pollutes it and if such a soul is subjected to the purifying power of contemplation, it becomes cool, pure and radiant.
Worry leads us towards bondage but reflection leads us towards salvation. Worry is despicable. Reflection is commendable and acceptable.
Some people believe that the quality of the mind depends on the nature of the food we eat. Here is a proverb, "As is your food, so is your mood."
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