Sacred Use of Indriyas

In the pursuit of sensory pleasures man forgets his Divine origin. Man can redeem his life only when he understands where from he has come, what is his role in life and what is his destination.

The first thing man has to learn is the role of the sense organs (indriyas). The sense organs are termed "maatras", meaning measuring instruments. For instance, the tongue measures the taste of what it eats. The eye evaluates the form of what it sees. It will notice that a man with a fair face has a snub nose. The senses recognize the differences among various objects in terms of size, quality etc. The senses have also another function to discharge. They indicate to man the limits to which sensory objects should be used or enjoyed. As the senses are God-given gifts, abuse of the senses by excesses will not only mean transgressing the divinely ordained limits, but will also lead to many harmful consequences. Hence everyone has to adhere to the appropriate limits prescribed for the use of the senses. For instance, take the case of nostrils. They are to be used for breathing purposes and for smelling fragrant objects and discarding foul-smelling objects. The respiratory process conveys a significant spiritual message when air is inhaled and exhaled. The message is contained in the mantra "So-Ham", which is also known as Hamsa Gayatri [Swami demonstrated how during inhalation the sound "So....." is produced and how "Ham" is produced when air is exhaled.] "So Ham" conveys the message of identity between God ("So") and the individual ("Aham"). This mantra contains the essence of Advaita. What happens when the nose that is to be used for such sacred purposes is used for taking snuff? It is not merely abuse of the nose, but is the cause of various respiratory diseases. Most ailments are the result of misuse of the sense organs for improper purposes.

Jayadeva rebuked men for not using the God-given tongue for chanting the sweet and sacred name of the Lord. The tongue should be engaged only in speaking the truth, in speaking sweetly and in consuming what is pleasant and wholesome for the body. Man degrades himself by consuming intoxicating drinks and nonvegetarian food and by indulging in smoking. These noxious habits affect the brain also.

Saint Surdas lamented on the behavior of people who would not listen to the hymns of praise of God with their God-given ears or gaze on the beauteous form of the Lord in their God-given sight. Persons going on the road should concentrate on the road and not allow their eyes to stray on the wall posters and shop windows.

It is necessary that everyone should recognize the proper role of the sense organs and use them properly.

In this context it may be noted that different animals are victims to different kinds of sensory experiences. Deer are a prey to sound - the roar of a lion or other wild animal. The elephant is afraid of the touch of the mahout's goad. Insects are attracted by light or a flame and lose their lives. Fish are lured by the taste of the worm attached to the angler's hook. It is a pity that man who possesses all the five senses of perception (sound, touch, sight, taste and smell) is a bond- slave to all of them. Thereby he forfeits his freedom.

How, then, can man experience real happiness? Only by turning his senses towards God. Man has five senses of perception and five senses of action. The master for all these ten senses is the mind. The ten senses are like ten wives pulling the mind in different directions. It is difficult for the mind to control the senses.

Man should realize that all pleasures derived from submission to the senses are momentary and leave a trail of suffering behind. He should realize that the senses are to be utilized for sacred purposes and the practice of human values. Only then he will understand the true purpose of human existence. The senses are gifted by God for humans to lead ideal lives. See good, think good thoughts, speak sweet words and listen to what is good. Be good and do good.

A young student who spoke earlier referred to Swami's advice to all of them to "speak less and work more". The ancient Indian sages practiced silence as a spiritual discipline because they realized the myriad benefits derived from silence (mounam). Swami Vivekananda learnt a valuable lesson when he found that after ten days of endless talk he had forgotten all the slokas he had learnt by heart. By practicing complete silence for a fortnight he got back his memory powers.

People should realize that God's grace is secured by the sacred use of the senses endowed on man by the Divine.

Man is enveloped by five sheaths (kosas) - food, life-breath, meditation, awareness and bliss. (Annamaya, Praanamaya, Manomaya, Vijnaanamaya and Anandamaya). Modern man has been able to progress only upto the Manomaya stage. He must strive to go beyond the mind upto the state of Bliss.