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Self-control

Verses
48
Groups
7
Chapters
13

Self-control is a necessity for achieving desired goals and success in any path. Especially one who seeks progress on a spiritual path of yoga needs to control the mind and the senses.

Read the full introduction

The following is a short compilation on this theme from various chapters of the Bhagavad-gīta.

Verses grouped by topic

Introduction to mind and senses 5
  1. Mind is one of the components of subtle body (7.4 bhūmir āpo 'nalo vāyuḥ..., 13.6-7 mahā-bhūtāny ahaṅkāro...)
  2. Senses are the instruments for any action through which the mind functions (18.13-14 pañcaitāni mahā-bāho...)
  3. Lord Kṛṣṇa says that He is the mind amongst all senses. (10.22 indriyāṇāṁ manaś cāsmi)
  4. Mind is the center of all sense activities and reservoir of all ideas for sense gratification (15.8-9 śarīraṁ yad avāpnoti...)
  5. Hierarchy: Intelligence is higher than the mind, which is higher than the senses (3.42 indriyāṇi parāṇy āhur...)
Nature of mind and senses 3
  1. Mind is very powerful, restless, turbulent, obstinate and strong (6.34 cañcalaṁ hi manaḥ kṛṣṇa...)
  2. Senses are very strong and impetuous. They forcibly carry away the mind even of a man of discrimination who is endeavoring to control them (2.60 yatato hy api kaunteya...)
  3. Contemplating on sense objects within the mind can begin the process of fall down (2.62 dhyāyato viṣayān puṁsaḥ...)
Analogies on mind and senses 4
  1. One who is able to withdraw his senses from sense objects, as the tortoise draws its limbs within the shell, is firmly fixed in perfect consciousness (2.58 yadā saṁharate cāyaṁ...)
  2. As a strong wind sweeps away a boat on the water, even one of the roaming senses on which the mind focuses can carry away a man's intelligence (2.67 indriyāṇāṁ hi caratāṁ...)
  3. Steady mind is like a lamp in a windless place (6.19 yathā dīpo nivāta-stho...)
  4. Mind as the reins of the chariot of body with five senses as the horses (6.34 P)
Why control mind and senses? 5
  1. Controlled mind is the best friend and uncontrolled mind is the worst enemy (6.5-6 uddhared ātmanātmānaṁ...)
  2. Without mind control, there is no chance of self-realization (6.36 asaṁyatātmanā yogo...)
  3. Whatever one thinks at time of death one will attain that state in the next life (8.5 anta-kāle ca mām eva...)
  4. Uncontrolled senses cause fall down (2.62-63 dhyāyato viṣayān pumsaḥ...). Even in regulated sense enjoyment there is a chance of fall down (3.34 P)
  5. Contact of senses with sense objects is a source of misery and temporary (5.22 ye hi saṁsparśa-jā bhogā...)
How to control mind and senses? 12
  1. One has to tolerate the urges of material senses and desires untill death (5.23 śaknotīhaiva yaḥ soḍhuṁ...)
  2. Senses cannot be artificially controlled by other yogic processes because the slightest agitation can cause fall down (2.60 yatato hy api kaunteya...)
  3. Therefore only by engaging senses in Kṛṣṇa consciousness can one actually control them (2.61 tāni sarvāṇi saṁyamya...)
  4. By engaging the mind in Kṛṣṇa’s service and experiencing higher taste, one gets rid of lower engagement (2.59 viṣayā vinivartante...)
  5. By deliberate spiritual intelligence one can control mind and senses (3.42 indriyāṇi parāṇy āhur..., 3.43 evaṁ buddheḥ paraṁ buddhvā...)
  6. Withdraw the mind from wherever it wanders (6.26 yato yato niścalati...)
  7. Mind can be controlled by practice and detachment (6.35 asaṁśayaṁ mahā-bāho...)
  8. By doing one’s prescribed duty to engage the mind according to one’s proclivities (8.7 tasmāt sarveṣu kāleṣu...)
  9. Try to control the active senses by the mind and begin karma-yoga without attachment (3.7 yas tv indriyāṇi manasā...)
  10. Always think of Kṛṣṇa (9.34 man-manā bhava mad-bhakto...)
  11. Self-control is one of the austerities of mind (17.16 manaḥ-prasādaḥ saumyatvaṁ,...)
  12. Don’t let the senses to come in contact with sense objects, like a tortoise that withdraws the senses when not in use (2.58 yadā saṁharate cāyaṁ...)
Results of mind and sense control 5
  1. The yogī whose mind is fixed on Kṛṣṇa verily attains the highest perfection of transcendental happiness and rises above the modes and is freed from all reactions to past deeds (6.27 praśānta-manasaṁ hy enaṁ.)
  2. Kṛṣṇa promises that if one always thinks of Him and becomes His devotee, one can attain Him. (18.65 man-manā bhava mad-bhakto...)
  3. One can obtain complete mercy of the Lord (2.64 rāga-dveṣa-vimuktais tu...)
  4. One attains happiness within and becomes completely peaceful (2.65 prasāde sarva-duḥkhānāṁ...)
  5. One is liberated and ultimately attains the Supreme (2.72 eṣā brāhmī sthitiḥ pārtha.)
Processes for self control and the best of all 12
  1. Role of dharma: Engaging the senses in one’s prescribed duties leads to purification (3.4-7 na karmaṇām anārambhān...)
  2. Role of buddhi: Self-control can be achieved by deliberate spiritual intelligence trained in Kṛṣṇa consciousness (3.43 evaṁ buddheḥ paraṁ buddhvā...)
  3. Role of jñāna: Using one’s discrimination to control the mind and senses (Chapters 13-14, 5.22-23 ye hi saṁsparśa-jā..., 15.1-4 ūrdhva-mūlam adhaḥ...)
  4. Role of aṣṭāṅga yoga: This process employs meditation as a means to control mind and senses. However, Arjuna rejects this process as very difficult. (6.33-34 yo 'yaṁ yogas tvayā proktaḥ...)
  5. Role of bhakti: This process is simple, easy, practical and most recommended –
  6. ‘Higher taste in service of Lord’ is the most effective means for mind and sense control (2.59 viṣayā vinivartante...)
  7. Performing one’s prescribed duty with remembrance of Lord Kṛṣṇa (8.7 tasmāt sarveṣu kāleṣu...)
  8. Constant remembrance of Kṛṣṇa without deviation (8.14 ananya-cetāḥ satataṁ...)
  9. Engage the mind and senses filly in the service of Lord Kṛṣṇa (9.34, 18.65 man-manā bhava mad-bhakto...)
  10. Direct service to Kṛṣṇa is better than impersonal meditation (12.2 mayy āveśya mano ye māṁ..., 12.6-8 ye tu sarvāṇi karmāṇi.)
  11. Bhakti is not only the topmost process but includes the essential elements and results of all other processes (8.28 vedeṣu yajñeṣu tapaḥsu caiva...)
  12. Devotees regulate their senses and mind, and they use various material things in the spiritual service of the Lord. (9.27 yat karoṣi yad aśnāsi...)

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