The Hindu : Sublimate sensory pursuits

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 23, 2004

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Sublimate sensory pursuits

CHENNAI, MARCH 23 . One of the basic requirements of spiritual life is control of the sensory organs and the mind as they have a natural tendency to be drawn to the world of material objects. The repeated engagement of the senses with the outside world, which man considers as the source of joy is a never-ending process. Further, this is the root of man's desire for more and more of such pleasures and frustration when he is unable to get what he wants. So scriptural texts and saints stress the importance of keeping the sensory organs under one's control.

In her discourse, Srimathi Sudha Seshaiyan said the objective of this spiritual exercise was not suppression of the senses per se but directing them towards proper channels so that they became conducive for spiritual progress. This is possible when the devotee is able to see the Almighty indwelling in all with the eye of devotion. There is another subtlety in this. It can be seen for oneself that when one tries to forcefully suppress a desire, it raises its ugly head in some other form whereas when the same sensory pursuit is undertaken for the sake of God it becomes sublimated and in due course of time the tendency becomes weakened. This truth has been highlighted through the incarnation of the Divine Mother as Lalitha from the sacrificial fire to vanquish Pandasura.

This demon was causing trouble to the celestials and they beseeched the creator, Brahma, to intervene. Who was this Asura? It is important to appreciate the symbolism of these episodes in the Puranas. The battle between the good (Deva) and the evil (Asura) forces is an allegory for the constant turmoil within the human mind between the urge for sensory gratification and the innate spiritual nature. Pandasura sprang from the ashes to which Manmatha was reduced when he tried to disrupt Lord Siva's penance.

Mystics do not condemn worldly engagement for one who is desirous of liberation but highlight in their hymns how such pursuits can be transmuted into spiritual exercise. Tirumular in a verse of the Tirumandiram uses the analogy of a cowherd reaping milk in bounty by keeping his flock under control to underscore that a devotee who likewise keeps his senses in check will be blessed with spiritual experience. Saints thus welcome human birth as an opportunity to realise God as among the countless living beings only man is blessed with the capacity of actualising his spiritual nature.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Miscellaneous

News Update

Stories in this Section

Cartoon

The Hindu Crossword No. 7938

Solution to puzzle No. 7937

Sublimate sensory pursuits

dated March 23, 1954: Peaceful merger

dated March 23, 1954: Visalandhra

dated March 23, 1954: Wives' demand

dated March 23, 1954: Gregory Peck

Weather