Difference between revisions of "Indriyanigraha"
From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia
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According to the Śrutis or the Vedas, Indriya-nigraha is necessary to attain mokṣa from transmigratory existence. | According to the Śrutis or the Vedas, Indriya-nigraha is necessary to attain mokṣa from transmigratory existence. | ||
| − | Mokṣa can be attained either through jñāna<ref>Jñāna means the knowledge or direct experience of one’s ātman-nature.</ref> or through bhakti.<ref>Bhakti means devotion that leads one to God.</ref> 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 there is a great need to reign them in. This is the meaning of the word Indriyanigraha. | + | Mokṣa can be attained either through jñāna<ref>Jñāna means the knowledge or direct experience of one’s ātman-nature.</ref> or through bhakti.<ref>Bhakti means devotion that leads one to God.</ref> 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. | 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. | ||
Revision as of 07:57, 31 May 2016
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
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore