| Discourses On Gita By Acharya Vinoba Bhave |
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| Discourses On Gita |
| THE TEACHING IN BRIEF : SELF-KNOWLEDGE AND EQUANIMITY |
| Thousands
of satyagrahis, men and women, recount these qualities in their
evening prayers. If they could reach every village and every house,
what a happy thing it would be! But assuredly, if they dwell in our
hearts they would, of their own accord, spread outwards. If what we
recite every day, becomes mechanical repetition, then instead of
impressing itself on the mind, it will fade out. This, however, is
not the fault of constant repetition, constant meditation and
self-examination are necessary.
22. The sthitaprajna is
the man of steadfast mind - the very name proclaims it. But how can
the mind be steadfast without self-control? So the sthitaprajna
is said to be the embodiment of self-control. The mind being fixed
in the self (atman) and controlling the indriyas (the
organs of perception and action) - this is self control. The sthitaprajna
reins in the indriyas and guides them into karma-yoga,
the way of action. To vary the image, using his indriyas as
oxen, he ploughs well and cultivates the field of the disinterested
performance of svadharma. Every breath of his is used in this
higher pursuit. 23. This control of the indriyas is not easy. Perhaps, in a way, it might be easy not to use one's indriyas at all. Silence and fasting are not so difficult. The opposite, to leave one's indriyas free, of course, comes easy to everybody. But to do as the tortoise does, drawing in its limbs in times of danger, and using them when it is safe, to draw the senses away from objects, and to use them aright from higher services - this discipline is difficult. For this, great effort and much wisdom are needed. Even with all this, it is doubtful whether we shall reach the goal. Are we then to despair? No, the sadhak (the seeker after perfection) should never lose hope. If, after trying all the techniques of his sadhana, discipline, something is still lacking then let him call in faith, bhakti. The Lord has given us this very valuable advice in the course of his picture of the sthitaprajna. |
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