________________
Control of the Senses and the Mind
Next comes the control of the senses and the mind. He who is bereft of understanding and is of uncontrolled mind fails to restrain the senses which are like the vicious horses of a charioteer, says the Kathopanişad. 27 The Self is the master of the bodily chariot, with intelligence as the charioteer, mind as the reins, senses as the horses, objects as the path, and the Self together with the mind and the senses as the enjoyer.28 Now, the man equipped with understanding and a strong mind succeeds in controlling the senses which are like the noble steeds of a charioteer.29 He, thereby, terminates the round of births, and acquires the immortal state whence there is no return.30 The Brhadāranyaka, the Kena and the Taittirīya Upanişads also prescribe self-restraint and self-conquest.3. According to the Gītā desire resides in the senses, the mind and the intelligence, and by curtailing knowledge through these, it deludes the embodied soul. 32 The senses and the attachment and aversion to the objects of the senses are the enemies of the soul.33 The mental dwelling upon the objects of the senses brings about attachment to them, which, in turn, engenders desires, producing anger on their being obstructed.34 The consequential effect of anger is infatuation. giving rise to the loss of memory by which intelligence declines and, as a consequence, ruin follows.35 Thus the mind which is fickle, passionate, strong and obstinate, and which is not easily controlled like the wind, should be curbed by incessant practice and nonattachment. 36 The senses are required to be kept under control, and the desires need be extirpated.Mere withdrawing of the senses from their normal action, without subduing desires, will be mere hypocrisy. 38
According to Jainism also, the control of the mind along with the senses and the desires is necessary for higher progress. He who restrains the monkey, viz., the mind wandering through the objects, viz., the senses gets the desired fruits.39 In case one fails to do so, scriptural study, performance of austerity and observance of vows and bodily penance, all these would be of no effect.40 Thus the camels, in the form of the five senses, should not be let loose; after grazing the whole pasture of pleasures they will hunt the soul in the area of rebirth.41 Hence, by capturing the leader, viz., the mind, the 146
Jaina Mysticism and other essays
Jain Education International
For Personal & Private Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
