Background
Self-control may be defined as the discriminative restraint of the adverse inclinations of the senses and the mind with a view to self purification in life. Self-control dawns and blossoms gradually in life by rightly taking vows and religious observances. When it attains to perfection, one attains to the status of God the Supreme.
Importance Of Self-Control
The activity (Sadhana) of self-control is very useful
in one's social as well as spiritual uplift. Certain fixed codes of discipline
are unavoidable for persons who take up some noble deed as their goal in life.
The best example of this in recent times is that of
Mahatma Gandhiji. In his life we could see restraint of a very high order, in
matters of taste, clothes, food, sleep and celibacy. In the realm of spiritual Sadhana,
observance of self-control is considered to be fundamental.
It is said by great sages,
"Righteousness is the foremost of the religions (Dharmas),"
"Character is the prime religion (Dharma)," and so on. All abundant
knowledge without proper righteousness, is known by sages as a dry bookish knowledge
in the realm of spiritual development.
Author : Shri Atmanandji (Dr. Soneji)
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