13. Restraint of Mind

To achieve the divine attributes of God, such as: truth, non-violence, self-control, purity, fearlessness etc. the four-fold means of worship i.e. righteous conduct, knowledge, asceticism and devotion are of utmost necessity.

As soon as the mind is restrained, the inclinations of organs - galloping towards the worldly objectives return from their respective objectives and on being defeated can become steady in the form of soul and Parmatma.

The engrossment of senses - which is the background for restraint of mind can be easily accomplished in solitude as there is absence of other elements. An unceasing alertness is required even in solitude as the vices can also be produced in solitude.

The one, who has more fascination towards worldly enjoyments and relations, has to struggle a lot to restrain the mind. As a result of this, gets more exhausted. Therefore, he mostly leaves the Sadhana incomplete. But if he persists the efforts, without losing the courage, then on pleas­ing the God and saint he can definitely restrain the mind.

Without the restraint of mind self purification, engrossment, independence, fearlessness, freedom from anxieties, pleasure of mind, joy, peace etc. are not possible.

On considering the mind as inanimate and not lively and on considering our own form as lively - like a soul - as well as extremely distinct from the inanimate elements like mind etc; the modifications of mind get under control. For this, incessant introspection is very much necessary.

In order to achieving speedy development in spiritual practice -Sadhana, a worshipper from the beginning of Sadhana itself should learn the method from a God-realized saint, to self-restraint the outer as well as the inner organs like mind, intellect, subconcious mind etc. and should start the same.

( जीतं जगत केनः मनोही येनः ) The whole world is conquered by the one, who has completely conquered the mind by it’s restraint. The entire world as well as the nature comes under his control.