In the pursuit of sensory pleasures man forgets his Divine origin. Man can redeem his life only when he understands where he has come from, what his role in life is, and what his destination is.

The first thing man has to learn is the role of the sense organs (indriyas). The sense organs are termed maatras, meaning measuring instruments. For instance, the tongue measures the taste of what it eats, and the eye evaluates the form of what it sees. It will be noticed that a man with a fair face has a snub nose. The senses recognize the differences among various objects in terms of size, quality, etc.

The senses indicate limits

The senses have another function to discharge. They indicate to man the limits to which sensory objects should be used or enjoyed. Since the senses are God-given gifts, abuse of the senses by excess will not only mean transgressing divinely ordained limits but will also lead to many harmful consequences. Hence, everyone has to adhere to the appropriate limits prescribed for the use of the senses. For instance, take the case of nostrils. They are to be used for breathing purposes and for smelling fragrant objects and discarding foul-smelling objects.

The respiratory process conveys a significant spiritual message when air is inhaled and exhaled. The message is contained in the mantra So-Ham (God-individual), which is also known as the Hamsa Gayatri [Swami demonstrated how the sound  So... is produced during inhalation and Ham during exhalation.] "So Ham" conveys the message of identity between God (So) and the individual (Aham). This mantra contains the essence of nondualism (advaita).

What happens when the nose that should be used for such sacred purposes is used for taking snuff? It is not merely abuse of the nose; it is also the cause of various respiratory diseases. Most ailments are the result of misuse of the sense organs for improper purposes.

Everyone must use the senses properly

Jayadeva rebuked men for not using their God-given tongue to chant the sweet and sacred name of the Lord. The tongue should be engaged only in speaking the truth, in speaking sweetly, and in consuming what is pleasant and wholesome for the body. Man degrades himself by consuming intoxicating drinks and non-vegetarian food and by indulging in smoking. These noxious habits also affect the brain.

Saint Surdas lamented on the behavior of people who would not listen to the hymns of praise of God with their God-given ears or gaze on the beautiful form of the Lord with their God-given sight. People going on the road should concentrate on the road and not allow their eyes to stray on wall posters and shop windows.

Everyone has to recognize the proper role of the sense organs and use them properly.

In this context, it may be noted that different animals are victims to different kinds of sensory experiences. Deer are a prey to sound --the roar of a lion or other wild animal. The elephant is afraid of the touch of the keeper's goad. Insects are attracted by light or a flame and lose their lives. Fish are lured by the taste of the worm attached to the angler's hook. It is a pity that man, who possesses all five senses of perception (sound, touch, sight, taste, and smell), is a bond-slave to all of them. Thereby he forfeits his freedom.

Secure real happiness by turning the senses toward God

How, then, can man experience real happiness? Only by turning his senses toward God. Man has five senses of perception and five senses of action. The master for all these ten senses is the mind. The ten senses are like ten wives pulling the mind in different directions. It is difficult for the mind to control the senses.

Man should realize that all pleasures derived from submission to the senses are momentary and leave a trail of suffering behind. He should realize that the senses are to be utilized for sacred purposes and the practice of human values. Only then will he understand the true purpose of human existence. The senses are gifted by God for humans to lead ideal lives. See good, think good thoughts, speak sweet words, and listen to what is good. Be good and do good.

A young student who spoke earlier referred to Swami's advice to all of them to "speak less and work more". The ancient Indian sages practiced silence as a spiritual discipline because they realized the myriad benefits derived from silence (mounam). Swami Vivekananda learnt a valuable lesson when he found that after ten days of endless talk he had forgotten all the slokas he had learnt by heart. By practicing complete silence for a fortnight he got back his powers of memory.

People should realize that God's grace is secured by the sacred use of the senses endowed on man by the Divine.

Man is enveloped by five sheaths (kosas) --food, life-breath, meditation, awareness, and bliss (annamaya, praanamaya, manomaya, vijnaanamaya, and anandamaya). Modern man has been able to progress only up to the manomaya stage. He must strive to go beyond the mind up to the state of bliss.