Way of Life Part 3

Author(s): Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana

Page 39

DISCOURSE 50
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smell; and not to treat foul smell with a strong feeling of contempt or disgust. You must not develop the habit of enjoying any special smell.
THE VICTORY OVER THE SENSE OF TASTE
The sense of taste means the tongue. This is a very important sense-organ. If the other senses have only one function to perform this sense performs two functions. Its two functions are to speak and to experience the taste of food and drink. Speaking and tasting food and drink are actions of great importance in life. The man who has attained a control over his sense of taste, reaches the peaks of success in life; and the man who does not have a control over his sense of taste falls into the pit of failure and frustration in life. I will mention here a few methods by means of which you can attain a control over the sense of taste. If you conform to these principles in your life, you will surely attain a victory over the Rasanendriya or the sense of taste. * Do not eat the food that is prohibited; and do not drink the
drinks that are prohibited. * Reduce your love of taste as much as possible. * Stop eating food in the night. Even during day-time eat food
only twice or three times. * Stop going to hotels and restaurants. * Stop eating roots etc. that provoke the passions. * Speak as little as possible. * Stop making jokes and talking jocularly. * Speak only such things as are pleasant and useful. * Be silent when you are in a mood of anger or rage. * Practise the austerity of being silent for some hours every
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* Carry on discussions relating to the Dharmatatvas. * Be silent in places where you are not treated with love and
honour. * Do not reveal the secrets of others.