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SPECIAL FEATURE MARCH 21, 2025 | The Indian Eye 14

CONTROLLING

OUR REACTIONS

n our lives, it is often our reactions haraj encourages, we should try to
that speak louder than words. not let external circumstances dictate
IWhether facing stress at work, our emotional state. Whether things
relationship conflicts, or difficult situ- are going well or not, we work to en-
ations, our reactions can significantly sure our inner and mental peace re-
affect our emotional well-being. A mains unaffected.
rash reaction can escalate a situa- One way to cultivate control
tion, while a measured, thoughtful over our reactions is through the
response can bring calm and clarity. idea of karta-panano vichar. In Hin-
Controlling our reactions involves duism, karta-panono vichar means to
maintaining balance, no matter the contemplate on the idea that the Su-
circumstance. As His Holiness Mah- preme Being is ultimately the all-do-
ant Swami Maharaj has written, “In er and gives us the fruits of our life.
happy times do not get carried away, This also happens ultimately for our
and in unhappy times do not become spiritual good and growth. Through
discouraged.” this, we can understand that while
In the first chapter of the Shri- we cannot control the outcomes of
mad Bhagavad Gita, the story of the our life, we are able to always man-
battle of Kurukshetra is narrated to age control over our thoughts and ac-
Dhritrashtra by his minister, Sanjay. tions, making sure we don’t react in a
At the time, the two armies—the negative manner. Through this idea
Kauravs and the Pandavas—faced of letting go of our control, we are
each other, with the Pandavas being able to step back and reflect before
vastly outnumbered. Arjun asks Shri responding which allows us to gain
Krishna Bhagwan to take his chariot perspective and choose a more mea-
to both sides of the battlefield so he sured reaction. The step back can be
can study the formation of the Kau- a chance to take a short walk, medi-
ravs and prepare a strategy. ate, or take deep breaths to help reg-
As Shri Krishna Bhagwan moves ulate emotions for a more measured
between the two armies, he points response.
to the other side and tells Arjun to Ultimately, controlling our re-
see who his enemies truly are. When actions is not about denying our-
Arjun looks, he sees only family—his selves the right to feel, but about
grandfathers, uncles, cousins, neph- finding the wisdom to respond in a
ews, and brothers. The reality of the way that serves our well-being and
situation overwhelms him and Ar- mouth is dry. My eyes are flickering, too; if they stay calm, you trust that more importantly, the well-being of
jun is struck with grief. He leaves his I cannot hold my bow. Everything is everything will be fine. others. Just as Shri Krishna Bhag-
chariot, drops his bow, and falls to his going wrong. I do not know what is Similarly, Shri Krishna Bhagwan wan reacted to Arjun’s despair in a
knees, unable to continue. happening to me.” laughs at Arjun’s worries not to be- way that reassured Arjun and made
When Shri Krishna Bhagwan Shri Krishna Bhagwan listens, little him, but to provide comfort at him feel comfortable in sharing his
dismounts and finds Arjun in this then laughs. a time when Arjun is at his lowest. grief, our reactions shape not only
state, Arjun says: This response may seem puz- Reassured, Arjun feels confident our experience but the experience of
zling at first. But imagine being sick enough to express his despair and those around us. By understanding
Sīdanti mama gātrāṇi mukhaṁ with a simple cold and visiting the lays out his reasons for not wanting that nothing in the world happens
because of us, we are able to control
doctor. You mention your sore throat to fight.
cha pariśhuṣhyati and fever, asking for their opinion. If Like Arjun on the battlefield, our reactions, through which we are
Vepathuśh cha śharīre me the doctor looks at you gravely and we often get swept up by emotions. cultivating resilience in the face of
roma-harṣhaśh cha jāyate says, “I’m not sure exactly what’s His grief upon seeing his family on adversity and maintaining clarity in
wrong, but there are many dangerous the opposing side was understand-
times of uncertainty. As we develop
Gāṇḍīvaṁ sraṁsate hastāt tvak illnesses with similar symptoms right able, but Shri Krishna Bhagwan’s this skill, we learn to navigate life with
chaiva paridahyate now,” you’d likely feel anxious and calm response teaches us not to let greater peace, knowing that while we
Na cha śhaknomy avasthātuṁ fearful, even if it’s just a cold. How- our reactions cloud our judgment or cannot control every circumstance,
ever, if the doctor reassures you with derail our purpose. It’s about find-
we always have the power to choose
bhramatīva cha me manaḥ a smile, telling you it’s probably just ing the space between stimulus and how we respond. This, in essence, is
a cold and running a few tests to be response—pausing long enough to the path to inner strength—an inner
“Oh Bhagwan! My entire body is sure, you’d leave feeling reassured. think, breathe, and choose how to strength rooted in conscious choice.
shaking. My skin is burning. My mind The difference lies in the doctor’s act rather than reacting impulsively.
is just moving. I cannot stand still, my reaction—if they panic, you’ll panic As His Holiness Mahant Swami Ma- ~BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha

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