While on their way to their college some students saw a banner with the inscription, “self-restraint is life.” This sentence appeared very strange to them. This gave rise to a discussion among them but it led them nowhere. After some days a symposium had been organised in that college. The topic was, ‘students and morality.’ I stood up to initiate a discussion on it. I began my speech with the sentence, “self-restraint is life.” The question that had engaged their attention a few days ago was revived once again. My speech was followed by questions and answers. A student asked, “what is meant by self-restraint?”

 

“Conquest of senses,” was my reply.

 

“How can you call it ‘life’?” another student asked.

 

“Conquest of senses can prevent untimely death, hence it is life. A glutton dies earlier than other persons, so it has been rightly said that unrestrained life is death and self-restraint is life.” I explained.

 

“My opinion is that conquest of senses is not necessary for persons like us who lead a household life,” the third student said.

 

I said in all humility, “I am unable to support your view-point. I hold that conquest of senses is necessary for every human being whether he is ahouse-holder or a sanyasi. There can be a difference in quantity but there is no gainsaying the fact that conquest of senses is essential even for a house-holder.”

 

“Have our ancient philosophers considered conquest of senses necessry even for a house holder?” he asked. 

 

“Yes.” I said nodding my head in reply to his question. “Cite an example to support your view,” he insisted. I supported my viewpoint by giving appropriate quotations from the works of some of the ancient philosophers.

 

 

The basis of happiness is religion (rules and restrictions). The basis of religion is wealth. The basis of wealth is a state. The basis of a state conquest of senses.

 

A man who has no control over his sensuous desire cannot achieve success in any thing in his life. How can a man who is overcome by a desire of carnal gratification conquer strong-bodied enemies? The worldly achievement by a man who has not subdued his mind or his senses becomes useless like the ablution of elephants who, after pouring water over their bodies undo their efforts by sprinkling dirt, rubbish etc. over them. There is one thing in common that has been stressed by all in Indian literature, i.e., ‘he who conquers a million warriors is a victor but he who conquers his passions is a great victor.’ He is not brave who conquers a battle but he alone is brave who conquers his own senses. Was Prithviraj’s indulgence in fulfilment of his wanton desires not the cause of his defeat? Does history not bear testimony to the fact that spy damsels have vanquished chiefs of armies and their defeat tarnished the image of their nation.”

 

These illustration added to the curiosity of students. Now they were eager to know about the practical utility of the [conquest of senses. Showing respect to their sense of curiosity I said, “The body is a chariot and the man is its owner. Wisdom is the charioteer and senses are the horses. Sensual enjoyment is its territory. If the charioteer (wisdom) loses hold of the bridle (mind), the horses (senses) go astray and the chariot is destroyed. Conquest of senses means putting the bridle in the hands of the charioteer. It means control of wisdom over mind and control of knowledge over desires. The persons who ruin their health by indulging excessively in the gratification of sensuous pleasures are those whose desires are not under the control of wisdom.

 

Where the desire listens to the voice of wisdom man’s deeds are on the right path. Where the desire ignores the voice of wisdom, the deeds of man are on the wrong path. If a man is able to pull back his senses just as the tortoise pulls in all this limbs, his wisdom becomes steadfast. The essence of Indian thought is that refraining from the exercise of control over senses is the path of adversities. Their restraint is the path of prosperity. We do not believe in the use of force or coercion. We have expounded both the ways before you. You are all wise and can choose the path you deem fit yourselves.” I felt that my voice dissolved slowly like the infinite nothingness into the firmament of their hearts.