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SPECIAL FEATURE MAY 05, 2023 | The Indian Eye 18

TOWARDS BETTER LIVING

Wisdom from the divine discourses of Pramukh Swami Maharaj

PERSONAL DISCIPLINE

ramukh Swami Maharaj had
perceived the pulse of indi-
Pviduals and society for many
decades, identified their areas of
concern and presented practical
solutions. The following article is
Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s wisdom
delivered during a Youth Convention
in Orlando, Florida, USA, on 30 Sep-
tember 2000, when he discoursed the
necessity and importance of self-con-
trol in life.
Today, more and more people
suffer from despair and anxiety. An-
other generic attribute is that every-
one wants to do things in one’s own
independent way. Where there is a
need for restraint, one talks of free-
dom and permissiveness. One asks,
“Why should we have discipline?
Let people do whatever they want.”
Formerly, people had less wealth and His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj
splendor. They lived in simplicity, but
were happy, whereas today, people ly, to help us live a good, meaningful want his son; the husband his wife. keep. And once you have identified
have so much but are unhappy. life, the great sages and seers have This is the tragic situation we have it, you should refrain from associat-
If man exercises restraint, then prescribed a moral code of conduct today. And the reason is people have ing with and thinking about it. You
life will become conducive to happi- in the shastras. With the intention to given up moral restraints and disci- should renounce it even if it means
er living. During the ancient gurukul promote all-round happiness, they pline. So, instead of progress, we have losing monetary benefits or mundane
system of education, students had to pondered deeply and with great fore- downfall! We have endeavored to be- success and fame. But people take
study till 25 years of age compulsorily. sight. But we don’t like it! we dont come modern but lost our culture in that little benefit and forfeit their
Their first lesson was about discipline. want any restrictions or rules that the process. morality. There is no need for this.
They obeyed the guru’s commands bind. We don’t want anyone to have We want to realize ekantik dhar- Whatever one achieves immorally, it
and learned what he taught. When any control over us. It is because of ma (dharma, jnan, vairagya and bhak- will be a source of pain and misery.
they went home, they obeyed their such attitudes that we create prob- ti) and for this, we must abide by and And that is why Bhagwan Swamina-
parents and the parents loved their lems for ourselves. And the conse- preserve our moral restraints. The rayan has advocated shunning bad
children. When a son got married, quences are frustration and an array climate of permissiveness in society is company and things that come in the
his wife was treated by his parents as of difficulties. not good, and you know it because way of dharma. If we have faith, then
their own daughter and the son was What is the meaning of satsang? you have the virtue of discrimination God will assist us.
treated likewise by his in-laws. But To keep the company of those who through satsang. But because of the Because of the prevailing air of
today, these sentiments have waned, are true and good. With the compa- social environment you live in, some- independence and freedom, we are
and we consequently face problems. ny of good people, one is inspired times such questions regarding the losing our cultural roots and values.
The element of self-control in by wholesome thoughts and able to need for discipline arise in your mind People succumb to the enticing so-
people is absent. An elephant be- maintain one’s integrity. And con- too. cial climate. But, no matter what,
comes useful when it is controlled versely, bad company shatters mo- It all hinges on controlling one’s one should follow one’s true values,
with an ankush. One may feel why rality and the social and family struc- mind and disciplining one’s senses. and cultivate greater faith in dharma,
there should be such pressure? But it tures. The family structure was once And to do this one has to renounce God and his commands.
is not pressure, it is a means of con- beautiful. The entire family lived bad company. Bad company (kusang) The more one preserves spiritual
trol. A horse is bridled so that it does happily with their grandparents and leads you astray from morality; you values in life, the more one’s mind will
not run riot and create havoc. An ox had no problems. Whereas today, no should beware of kusang. It could be fortified, the better one’s thoughts,
is pierced with a ring through its nose one wants their grandparents, father be the things you see, what you eat, and the more peace and progress one
to control it during farming. Similar- or mother. And the father does not a conversation or the company you will attain.

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