How to conquer desire – Mahatma Gandhi

[Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav]

Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav

Senior Gandhian Scholar

Gandhi Research Foundation, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India

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How to conquer desire – Mahatma Gandhi

 

 There are many people in the position of this reader. It is difficult to conquer passion, but it is not impossible. It is God’s word that he who conquers passion conquers the world and attains moksha. So, we know that to gain a victory over passion is the hardest job. Those who would conquer sexual urge do not admit that a great deal of patience is needed to achieve results. We know how much perseverance, patience and concentration are needed to acquire knowledge of the alphabet. From this if we apply the rule of three we shall see that, in order to conquer sexual desire, we need myriad times the patience, etc., needed for acquiring a knowledge of the alphabet. So much for the patience but we are equally indifferent with regard to the remedy for conquering passion. We scour the whole world in order to cure an ordinary disease, visit every doctor; do not leave out even talismans. But we do not employ all the remedies to cure a great disease like sexual desire. We tire after trying out a few; on the contrary we even demand of God or the one who suggests a remedy that, though we shall certainly not be able to give up a particular thing, we should be cured of our lust. The reason is that we are not really in earnest about getting this disease of sexual desire cured. We are not willing to sacrifice our all for it.

This weakness is the biggest hurdle in our way to victory. It is indeed true that such urges are controlled in one who fasts, but the desire does not depart without a vision of the Self. This verse however does not mean that fasting is of no use in conquering desire. It means that we should not tire of fasting, and the vision of the Self is possible with such determination and effort, so that longing will also cease. Such fasting cannot be undertaken at the instance of another person, nor out of hypocrisy. It should have the co-operation of mind, speech and body. We can surely win the divine grace and when that is gained there is bound to be an end to desire. But prior to fasting, there are many easy steps to be taken. By taking them, even though the desire may not be calmed, it will certainly become weakened. We should avoid all occasions for indulgence. We should cultivate distaste towards it, for a sacrifice without distaste will merely be external sacrifice and will not endure. It is not necessary to say what constitutes indulgence. We should give up everything that gives rise to desire. The question of diet also deserves consideration in this connection. That is a virgin field. I believe that he who wishes to subdue passion should make a minimum use of ghee and milk. If he can live on uncooked food, he should not take cooked food or should take only a little of it. Many fruits and a number of greens can be eaten uncooked, and he should do so. The proportion of raw greens should be very small. Sufficient nourishment can be had from two or three tolas of raw greens. Sweets, condiments, etc., should be totally avoided. While I suggest this I know that brahmacharya cannot be fully safeguarded by means of diet alone. But one cannot hope to observe brahmacharya while one resorts to a diet that stimulates the sexual urge.

 

  Reference:

 

 Navajivan, 3-3-1929