Indriyanigraha

By Swami Harshananda

Indriyanigraha literally means ‘control of the sense-organs’.

According to the Śrutis or the Vedas, Indriya-nigraha is necessary to attain mokṣa from transmigratory existence.

Mokṣa can be attained either through jñāna^[1] or through bhakti.^[2] For either of these paths, mind is the chief mode of sādhanā or spiritual practice. Since the Indriya-s or the sense-organs are allowed to go towards the sense-objects, it can make the mind impure or distracted and hence, there is a great need to reign them in. This is the meaning of the word Indriyanigraha.

The Indriya-s must be directed towards the objects or persons associated with God. By doing so, they bring in pure vibrations that help the aspirant to cleanse the mind.

References[edit]

↑ Jñāna means the knowledge or direct experience of one’s ātman-nature.
↑ Bhakti means devotion that leads one to God.

The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore

[1] Jñāna means the knowledge or direct experience of one’s ātman-nature.

[2] Bhakti means devotion that leads one to God.

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[2]