The Bhagavad Gita, a 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the Indian epic Mahabharata, offers profound teachings on various aspects of life, philosophy, and spirituality. One of the central teachings of the Bhagavad Gita is the control and mastery over the senses, often referred to as "Slaying the Senses."
Key Points on the Importance of Slaying the Senses in the
Bhagavad Gita
Mind and Sense Control (Manas and Indriyas):
Chapter 2, Verse 60: Krishna emphasizes that even a wise
person, who is striving for self-realization, can be swept away by the
turbulent senses.
Chapter 2, Verse 67: He explains that the mind, when
influenced by the roving senses, can carry away one's intelligence just as a
boat on the water is swept away by a strong wind.
Achieving Steadiness and Peace:
Chapter 2, Verse 64: Krishna advises that one should strive
to become free from attachment and aversion, mastering the senses through
disciplined practice.
Chapter 2, Verse 68: He concludes that one who has brought
the senses under control is firmly established in wisdom.
The Role of Discrimination (Viveka):
Chapter 6, Verse 5: Krishna encourages Arjuna to elevate
himself through his own mind and not degrade himself. The mind is both a friend
and an enemy, depending on how it is used.
Chapter 6, Verse 6: For one who has conquered the mind, it
becomes the best of friends, but for one who has failed to do so, the mind will
remain the greatest enemy.
Practical Steps for Sense Control:
Meditation and Yoga: Throughout the Gita, particularly in
Chapter 6, Krishna outlines the practice of Dhyana Yoga (the Yoga of
Meditation) as a means to control the mind and senses.
Performing Duties Without Attachment: In Chapter 3, Karma
Yoga (the Yoga of Action) is described as performing one's duties without
attachment to the results, thereby maintaining equanimity and preventing the
senses from leading one astray.
Ultimate Liberation (Moksha):
Chapter 5, Verse 23: Krishna points out that a person who
can withstand the force of desire and anger before death is a yogi and is
happy.
Chapter 5, Verse 24: He states that those who are internally
happy, who delight within themselves, and are illuminated within, reach the
Brahman (the eternal, divine essence).
The teaching of slaying the senses in the Bhagavad Gita is fundamental to achieving spiritual wisdom and inner peace. Krishna's guidance to Arjuna on mastering the senses through discipline, meditation, and selfless action provides a pathway to transcend the temporary and turbulent nature of sensory experiences. By controlling the mind and senses, one can attain steadiness, wisdom, and ultimately, liberation.