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Hari Om !!
Manah shodhanam - 04/05 Talk in English by Swami Aparajitananda, Chinmaya Mission Chicago-Yamunotri.

Pujya Swamiji summarised all previous discourses and concluded the summary by reminding us that the spiritual journey does not begin by assuming the world is unreal. For a seeker, the world is very much real. One must work to reduce desires; only then will the cosmic mind cease to project the world.
How to Overcome Desires?
Verse 18:
उपायस्तु पुरा प्रोक्तो नारदेन यूधिष्ठिरम् I
चित्तदोषनिवृत्त्यर्थं श्रेयसे च स्मरामि तम् II
In this verse, Guruji explains that Narada once shared with Yudhishthira the method to overcome desires. This interaction between both of them from the Bhagavata Purana has been re-produces by Guruji in this composition:
असङ्कल्पाज्जयेत्कामं क्रोधं कामविवर्जनात् ।
अर्थानर्थेक्षया लोभं भयं तत्त्वावमर्शनात् ॥ 19 ॥
आन्वीक्षिक्या शोकमोहौ दम्भं महदुपासया ।
योगान्तरायान्मौनेन हिंसां कायाद्यनीहया ॥ 20 ॥
कृपया भूतजं दु:खं दैवं जह्यात्समाधिना ।
आत्मजं योगवीर्येण निद्रां सत्त्वनिषेवया ॥ 21 ॥
रजस्तमश्च सत्त्वेन सत्त्वं चोपशमेन च ।
एतत्सर्वं गुरौ भक्त्या पुरुषो ह्यञ्जसा जयेत् ॥ 22 ॥
Methods to Overcome Desires
1. असङ्कल्पाज्जयेत्कामं
Pujya Swamiji addresses the most controversial and often avoided topic in spiritual discussions—sexual desires. Swamiji in this lecture addresses the problem and questions faced by the younger generation about sexual pleasure. This segment of his talk is particularly recommended for the youth who are struggling to get answers to their questions on sexual pleasures and do not know what is the right source for the answers.
Drawing on references from the Shruti, Smriti, and Ayurveda, he guides us on educating the mind to overcome this powerful desire, which is among the most obstructive on the spiritual path. He also asks us to use yukti and anubhuti while handling sexual desire.
Scriptures never advocate suppressing desires (including sexual desire) but sublimating them. For less evolved seekers who are unable to sublimate their desires, the path of Gṛhasthāsharama is recommended. However, this is not a license for indulgence but a way to overcome deep-seated tendencies through scriptural knowledge, logic, and personal experience.
Swamiji explains:
o Initial thought arises from one’s vasanas
o To prevent the thought from becoming a strong desire, one must "nip it in the bud"
o By not actively cooperating with thoughts, they naturally fade.
Swamiji also recommends the practice of pratipakṣa bhāvanā to counter desires effectively.
2. क्रोधं कामविवर्जनात्
Where there is desire, there is anger. Swamiji offers simple techniques to manage anger:
o Avoid insistence in life.
o Be sincere and regular in meditation, which helps identify negativities in the mind.
o Never justify anger.
o Express anger, when necessary, but do not be consumed by it.
o Detach from all attachments in a sattvic manner.
3. अर्थानर्थेक्षया लोभं
Swamiji analyses Narada’s advice on overcoming lobha to help us educate our mind:
o Why do we crave wealth?
o Can money truly buy what we want in life?
o What challenges do wealthy people face?
o Reflections from Bhaja Govindam, where Ādi Śaṅkarācārya warns against the pitfalls of wealth.
o The reason why sannyasis beg for food even when people are willing to provide for them.
We will discuss bhaya in the next class.