| The secret of
the good life that the Bhagavad Gita recommends consists in the overcoming of Desire in
its grosser sense, kaama. This kaama is the great enemy of man. It takes various shapes,
deceiving him-now it is lust, now it is love of power and possessions, yet again it
becomes anger. Whatever be the form it takes, it tends to envelop man’s judgment and
delude him into error and sin. Aim therefore
at overcoming this great enemy at the earliest stage of the battle, says the Gita. Kaama
takes possession of the senses and of the Will. From these vantage points, it perverts
judgment and ruins man. Guard therefore the senses at the very beginning of the battle,
says the Gita, assuring the aspirant that Will can control the senses, provided man exerts
it before it is too late.
Judgement can control and guide the Will if only one makes
up one’s mind early enough and does not let desire enter the fort. Impelled by
what does man commit sin, though he does not wish to commit sin, as if driven by some
irresistible force? |
