Man has always tried to conquer nature. In this conquest, he has employed all his physical mental and intellectual skill. Nature is a composite of the three Gunas: the pure, passionate and dull. Therefore it can be overcome only by developing the qualities of truth, love and tolerance. When man taps the energy of the Divine in him he can easily master Nature, which is only the vesture of the Divine. (SSS Vol.7, p. 300)
The Lord declared in the Gita, ‘You can conquer; anger through love, and you can conquer desire through renunciation and sacrifice.’ Where there is love there can be no anger. If you develop your love, then there will be no room left in your heart for hatred and anger to take root. The heart is like a single-seat sofa, only one quality can establish itself there.
To achieve total victory over anger you will have to fill your heart with love and make it the dominant force in your life. Once you recognise that the In-dweller of your heart is the In-dweller of every heart that the beloved Lord whom you worship seated on the throne of your heart is also dwelling in every other heart, then there can be no possibility for hating or being angry with any person in the world. When the same Lord is in every heart how can you look down with contempt at another? Therefore, immerse yourself fully in this principle of love and establish it indelibly in your heart. (DBG, pp. 61-62)
To conquer desire you have to develop a sacrificing nature, you must be seated in renunciation. Renunciation does not mean that you give up your family and go to the forest, nor does it require ‘you to give up all your property and take up Sannyasa. Once you realise the defects in any object, once you recognise its transistorises and worthlessness in helping you to reach your goal, you will automatically stop desiring it. Even when living the life of a householder immersed in the world, you can recognise the defects and weaknesses of the things of the world. (DBG, pp. 62-63)
It is easy to conquer anger through love, attachment through reasoning, falsehood through truth, bad thoughts through good, and greed through charity. (Ddd, p. 29)
By conquering conceit, one becomes endearing;
By conquering anger, one is free from regrets;
By conquering desire, one becomes prosperous;
By conquering greed, one becomes happy.
(AV, p. 151)
If you leave ego, you become dear to all;
If you conquer anger, you become free from worries;
You become prosperous when you control your desires;
You attain happiness only when you conquer greed. (Sanskrit Shloka)
(SSS Vol.35, p. 33)
Who destroys conceit becomes endearing
By subduing hatred one is freed from grief
By overcoming desires one becomes selfless
By destroying greed, one achieves happiness.
‘Krodham hithva na sochathi’ (Destroying anger, one is free from grief). As long as one is filled with Krodha (anger or hatred), one cannot be happy. In this world people undertake all kinds of sadhanas to get rid of grief or unhappiness. But whatever penances, japas or sacrifices they do, they are unable to get rid of unhappiness. The reason is they have not been able to get rid of their hatred. Ravana was a valorous person, with many talents and accomplishments. But because he was filled with hatred, he could have no happiness. By harbouring hatred man renders his life miserable. ‘The angry man fails in everyone of his enterprises’ (Telugu saying). Anger brings in its train all kinds of ill- fame. Hatred by infamy, he can have no happiness.
Kamam hithvaa nissvaarthavaan Bhavati (By conquering desire, one becomes unselfish). As long as one is over-whelmed by desires, one cannot be contented. He loses control over his senses. He is intoxicated with insatiable desire No doubt man cannot avoid desires. But there should be limit to them. Limitless desires can result only in ruin. Prosperity will elude him. The moment man is able to control his desires, all things will come to him of their own accord.
Lobham hithvaa suhhee Bhavati (Conquering greed, man realises happiness). Greed is another cause of human misery. Greed makes a man distant from every kind of happiness - material, intellectual or spiritual. Greed accounts for the failure of Duryodhana and Dushasana to feel happy despite all their wealth and power. Hence people must banish greed from their hearts. How is this to be done? When they foster the spirit of tyaga (sacrifice), greed will vanish. With greed-filled hearts there is no room for joy. You cannot fill a tumbler full of water with milk. First empty the tumbler and then fill it with mille Likewise, get rid of greed and fill your heart with tyaga. ‘A mind full of evil thoughts has no room for good thoughts.’ (Telugu saying). (SSS Vol.30, pp. 205-206)
We find so many changes in this world. That energy present in the universe is present in the individual also. Here, in this world, you find energy waves. Not only this. You also see light rays going around. You also find radio waves everywhere. You also find beautiful and brilliant laser beams. There are X-rays which you cannot see with your naked eye. Though their names and forms vary, the basis, the innate energy, is one. The ancient Rishis have investigated into the nature of these energy waves. Since ancient times, gods and men alike tried to investigate into this energy and obtained various supernatural powers. This kind of search has been going on for years. It was Hiranyakashipu, the first scientist, who investigated and experienced this truth. He could capture all the five elements and play with them. But his son Prahlada taught him a lesson. ‘You have conquered the whole world, Oh father’, he said. ‘You could not conquer your mind. You are not making an attempt to know your truth.’ Churchill also said at one time ‘Man has conquered all but he has not conquered himself’. Scientists are trying to know about themselves. What is the use in knowing everything if you do not know yourself? Therefore, spirituality is needed to know oneself.
A true human being is one who knows about himself and also others. So every man should know his action, his temperament and his nature. All faculties are present in man. The energy waves are in him. The light waves are also in man as also the infinite magnetic waves. The laser is also present in man. They are not separate from him. It is a matter of shame to mankind that we think that man is weak even though he is highly powerful and energetic.
Energy and matter are not different. Energy is one. Matter is a part and parcel of this energy. Energy is present in matter as latent. Both are present like a tree latent in a seed. Man is super most. Human life is wonderful, one of bliss and meaningful. It has to be experienced. Today we are not understanding the nature of man’s life but we are trying to understand many other things. We have to experience this life of morality. A principled life is the true life.
Values blossom by themselves if we lead our life properly. When you sow a seed in the soil, it grows into a sapling and flowers later. Therefore, if your thoughts are good, they only give the fruits of joy. Therefore, we have to develop good thoughts. We should see that there will never be a scope for wicked thoughts or wicked feelings. Since ancient times Indians could know this eternal truth, the mystery. Bharatiyas are not able to understand this today. We are in search of God. You are God. There is no other God separate from you. (DTB Vol.1, pp. 3-5)