Purify the Senses

Those who wish to use the body properly and see that they have good thoughts and perform good acts, have to take note of two factors—regulation of diet and regulation of their environments.

You must seek to know what kind of food you should eat. You should not consume food merely to appease hunger. You must take only satwic food (pure food). Our thoughts are determined by the kind of food we consume. The body is cleansed by water. The mind is purified by truth. It is only when what is conducive to truth is taken that you can pursue the path of truth.

What is consumed by the mouth is not the only thing that goes into the body. The other sense organs like the eyes, the ears, the nose, and the hands also “consume” objects from the outside world. Through the eyes you have to see only what is pure. To see all kinds of things indiscriminately is fraught with dangers. The power of sight should be used only for sacred purposes.

The ears also need pure food. This means that you should listen only to sacred speech and hear only matters about the divine. Always hear good and pleasant things about others. In this way you must safeguard the ears from pollution. Only then will you be “consuming” satwic food through the ears.

Only fragrant and sweet smelling scents should be absorbed through the nose. When foul smell is inhaled disease sets in. If you inhale foul air, you are likely to breathe in disease producing germs. You must inhale pure air in a clean open space.

Even the hands must “consume” pure food. This means that you must perform good acts with your hands. That is the way to treat the body as a temple.

When you get rid of the evils associated with pollution of speech, hearing, sight, thought, and action (arising from the misuse of the five sense organs), you will be able to become the Paramatma (Supreme self).

Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 23, pp. 71-72

When we regard the body as an instrument, we should realize that the prescribed limits for its use have to be observed. Every object in the world is governed by certain regulations. Likewise this body is also subject to restrictions. In our actions, in our speech, in what we see and what we hear, in our thoughts, we must seek to promote purity and sanctity. When this is not done, all God-given limbs and organs are misused and man ceases to be human and becomes a demon.

Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 23, P. 78