One foot on loss of self-control

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Radhe Radhe !


In Greece there was a great philosopher named Socrates. One day when he was surrounded by his disciples, a man came up to him and started abusing him in different ways.  He also pointed out many of his flaws.  It seemed as if his activities for hours and hours had been worthless !  Meanwhile Socrates’ disciples were not feeling happy with that man. Yet they remained calm like their spiritual master. Socrates stayed completely undisturbed in this situation, and even after man had left he made no comment at all. Finally disciples approached him and asked him, “That man behaved in such an obnoxious manner, yet why did you not refute his false allegations ?” Socrates replied I am glad he showed me all my flaws. Now I will improve.” However the disciples insisted – “ But master, how could you said remain calm and not utter a single word ?” Socrates replied, “When the man was talking, all the while I put one of my feet on the brake-paddle of self-control-loss, which is very hard.  As a result I remained very cool. He forgot to see that my foot on the brake……………..”

 Socrates was a poor man and he had a rich friend.  One day the friend forcefully took him to one of the biggest stores in Greece, just for fun.  They spent all day in that big store and finally his friend asked him, “What do you think about this store ?” Socrates replied, “ I am  glad to see all this, but I am more glad that I am able to live my life without all these items.”


Courtsey : Vijay dada

3 thoughts on “One foot on loss of self-control”

  1. Radhe Radhe ! regarding how to behave with different kinds of people Srila Jiva Goswami too has said – “We should ignore those who are envious.” i spose the same applies here.
  2. Radhe Radhe! Self control is a big thing anyway! If one can keep his consciousness under control he’s truly in the category of sarvām apimāṁ prithvīṁ sa śhiṣyāt! The mind isn’t really like a car where one can put the foot & stay on hold, even if one is conscious enough! It’s as dheelā as the horse’s reins:
    ātmānaḿ rathinaḿ viddhi śarīraḿ ratham eva ca buddhiḿ tu sārathiḿ viddhi manaḥ pragraham eva ca indriyāṇi hayān āhur viṣayāḿs teṣu gocarān ātmendriya-mano-yuktaḿ bhoktety āhur manīṣiṇaḥ [Kathā Upaniṣhad 1.3.3-4]
    So, the moment it’s left, the horses are free to do whatever they like! Just like leaving the steering of car when driving… 🙂 The only solution is: Do Harinam & sa vai manaḥ kṛṣṇa-pādāravindayoḥ
  3. Radhe Radhe what u say is absolutely true. We cannot wilfully control the mind. we can only fix on the naam, roop, gun and leela of Kanhaiyaji. Then the mind is automatically in control. And we are able to see Truth like broad daylight and not afraid of it either. We stop being hypocrites.

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