Fruits of Self-Control

Fruits of Self-Control

By Swami Sivananda

By Swami Sivananda

I. MIND-CONTROL BY SELF-CONTROL

Self-control is indispensable for the living of a truly ethical life. Without self-restraint, the practice of ethics is quite impossible. You may possess sublime sentiments and noble intentions. But when you have no self-control, you will be a slave to base passions. You will succumb to every temptation and commit endless wrong actions. You want to lead an ethical life, but due to weak will and lack of self-control you fail. It is self-control which enables you to stick to the laws of ethics.

Self-control leads to the highest merit. Self-control is the eternal duty of man. Self-control surpasses in merit, charity, sacrifice and study of the Vedas.

Self-control increases your energy. Self-control is highly sacred. Through self-control you will be purified of all your sins, and gifted with energy and thereafter you will acquire the highest blessedness.

There is no other duty equal to self-control. Self-control is the highest virtue in this world. Through self-control you can enjoy the highest happiness both in this world and in the next. Gifted with self-control you will win great virtue.

The self-controlled man sleeps happily and awakes happily and moves through the world happily. He is always cheerful.

The man who is without self-control always suffers misery. He brings upon himself many calamities, all begotten by his own faults.

Forgiveness, patience, abstention from injury, impartiality, truth, sincerity, control of the senses, mildness, modesty, firmness, liberality, freedom from anger, contentment, sweetness of words, benevolence, freedom from malice – all these combined make up self-control. It also consists of respect for the preceptor and mercy for all. The man of self-control avoids both adulation and slander. Depravity, infamy, falsehood, lust, covetousness, pride, arrogance, self-justification, fear, envy and disrespect are all shunned by the man of self-control. He never incurs obloquy. He is free from envy.

That eternal region of Brahman which originates from Vedic penances and which is concealed in a cave can only be acquired through self-control.

The self-controlled man is never fettered by the attachments originating from earthly connections and sentiments.

There is only one fault in self-control. No second fault is seen in it. A man who has self-control is considered by men as weak. By forgiveness the man of self-control may easily acquire happy worlds.

That is a forest where the man of self-control lives. That is ever a very sacred place. Of what use is a forest to a man of self-control? Of what use is the forest to him who has no self-control?

The man of self-control acquires great reward in the next world. He acquires esteem in this world and attains to high stage hereafter. He acquires the state of Brahman. He attains liberation.

In all the modes of life the practice of self-control is distinguished above all virtues. The fruits of self-control are much greater than those obtained in all the modes of life.

The self-controlled man becomes desirous of liberation. He quietly bears present joys and griefs and he is never overjoyed or depressed by prospective ones.

He is shorn of vindictiveness and all sorts of guile. He is unaffected by praise and censure. He is well-balanced. He has good manners. He has purity, fortitude. He is a perfect master of his passions.

He gains honours in the world. He goes to heaven after he departs from this world. He makes all creatures gain what they cannot acquire without his help. He rejoices under all circumstances. He is ever happy.

II. MIND-CONTROL BY ASANGA AND MUMUKSHUTVA

Thinking of sensual objects is Sanga or attachment. Non-thinking of sensual objects is Vairagya. Stop thinking of objects by thinking of Brahman or the Eternal, or of your Ishta Devata (tutelary Deity). Keeping the Vasanas in the mind is keeping a black cobra within and feeding it with milk. Your life is ever in danger. Kill these Vasanas through Vichara, Vairagya and meditation on the Atman. Tamoguna (inertia) is brutal, Rajoguna (passion) is human. Sattva Guna (light, harmony) is divine. If the clothes on your body catch fire, you want to run towards water for cooling yourself. You must feel like this from the burning of the fire of Samsara. You should feel that you are roasted in the fire of Samsara. Vairagya (dispassion) and Mumukshutva (strong yearning for liberation) will dawn in you.
The Aspirant in olden days used to approach the Guru with a bundle of sticks (Samit) in his hand for spiritual initiation. What does this indicate? He prays to his preceptor: – O, Adorable Guru! Let my bundle of sins and worldly Vasanas be burnt in the fire of Wisdom through Thy Grace. Let the Divine flame grow in me. Let me attain Self-effulgent Atman. Let my senses, Vasanas, mind, Prana and egoism be given as oblation.

Fruits of Self-Control – Inner Strength, Peace, and Spiritual Freedom

Fruits of Self-Control are seen in every part of a sincere seeker’s life. Self-control is not punishment, weakness, or suppression of natural energy. It is the wise direction of body, speech, senses, emotions, desires, and thoughts toward a higher purpose. When a person learns to govern the inner nature, life becomes more peaceful, powerful, pure, and meaningful.

The uncontrolled person is pulled by every impulse. A desire arises, and they follow it. Anger rises, and they speak harshly. Fear appears, and they lose balance. Pleasure attracts, and they forget wisdom. Such a life may appear free from outside, but inwardly it is slavery. True freedom begins when the seeker can pause, reflect, choose rightly, and act with awareness.

Fruits of Self-Control include calmness of mind. A disciplined person is not easily disturbed by praise or blame, gain or loss, pleasure or pain. The mind becomes steady because it is no longer dragged helplessly by every passing emotion. This calmness is not dullness. It is a living strength that allows clear thinking, kind action, and spiritual progress.

Self-control gives power to speech. Words are powerful instruments. They can heal, hurt, inspire, disturb, unite, or divide. A person without control speaks in anger, gossip, criticism, exaggeration, and useless argument. But one who controls speech speaks truthfully, kindly, and only when needed. Such words carry dignity and influence.

The senses become purified through discipline. The eyes, ears, tongue, skin, and nose naturally move toward attractive objects. There is no need to hate the senses, but they must be guided. Moderation in food, entertainment, comfort, and pleasure saves energy and protects the mind. When the senses are controlled, concentration becomes easier and meditation becomes deeper.

Fruits of Self-Control also appear as increased willpower. Every time a seeker refuses a lower impulse and chooses a higher action, inner strength grows. Small victories matter. Avoiding unnecessary anger, rising early, eating moderately, speaking gently, keeping a promise, and practicing daily meditation all build spiritual force. Willpower grows through repeated right effort.

This discipline brings freedom from regret. Many people suffer because they act first and think later. They speak harshly, indulge excessively, waste time, or follow desire, and later feel sorrow. Self-control creates a sacred space between impulse and action. In that space, discrimination can function. Then actions become cleaner and life becomes lighter.

Self-control helps relationships. A disciplined person is less reactive, less demanding, and less selfish. They listen better, forgive more easily, and respond with patience. They do not make every emotion a burden for others. Such a person becomes trustworthy because their conduct is steady. Family, friendship, and service all become more harmonious.

Fruits of Self-Control include purity of heart. When lower desires are reduced, the heart becomes clean and soft. Jealousy becomes weaker, greed loses force, anger becomes less frequent, and pride begins to fade. In that purity, devotion grows naturally. Prayer becomes deeper, mantra becomes sweeter, and remembrance of the Divine becomes more continuous.

The disciplined seeker saves mental energy. Too much talking, worrying, imagining, comparing, and indulging wastes inner power. When energy is conserved, the mind becomes sharp and one-pointed. Study improves, work becomes efficient, meditation gains depth, and spiritual understanding becomes clearer. Scattered energy creates weakness; gathered energy creates strength.

Self-control does not make life dry. Many people fear that discipline will remove joy. In truth, uncontrolled pleasure soon becomes restlessness, while disciplined living brings lasting satisfaction. A moderate life allows the seeker to enjoy simple things without becoming dependent on them. Peace becomes more valuable than excitement.

Fruits of Self-Control are also seen in courage. A person who has learned to control desire, anger, taste, laziness, and speech becomes brave from within. They are not easily shaken by temptation or difficulty. They can face hardship with patience because they have already practiced mastery over themselves. Inner victory prepares one for outer challenges.

This path requires patience. No one becomes fully disciplined in one day. Old habits may return, and the mind may rebel. The seeker should not become discouraged. Begin again with humility. Practice a little restraint each day. Add prayer, noble company, meditation, self-examination, and service. Slow and steady discipline transforms character.

The highest fruit is spiritual awakening. When the senses are controlled, the mind becomes calm. When the mind becomes calm, meditation deepens. When meditation deepens, the seeker begins to recognize the witnessing self beyond thoughts, emotions, desires, and ego. Thus discipline becomes a doorway to self-knowledge and liberation.

In the end, Fruits of Self-Control show that true mastery is not domination of others, but mastery over oneself. Through restraint, purity, patience, devotion, right speech, sense-control, and steady practice, the seeker gains peace, strength, dignity, clarity, and freedom. A life guided by discipline becomes a life guided by wisdom.

Questions & Answers on Mind-Control