Peace comes from purity, which is gained by giving up lustful desires
Yes, it does. Let us see how. Purity comes from right behaviour, which means that we should always try to obey dharma and never cross ‘maryada’ (social norms). Goodness follows, which is illuminating and free from diseases on account of purity. (The Bhagavad-Geeta 14.6) Yajna (making sacrifices), charity and austerity (tapasya) purify. Purity is so important for a human being that devotees of God perform all acts by body, mind, intelligence and senses for self-purification only. (5.11) Purity endears one to God (12.16), who Himself is supremely pure. (10.12)
Becoming pure and endearing oneself to God is not that easy though, as we can imagine. A strong desire for purity will lead us to be detached in many ways. For example, unless one is detached from tasty but harmful foods, how do you ensure good health, which is critical for being peaceful? The same is true about what we see. Watching something, which excites us excessively takes away our peace without us realizing it. What about hearing nonsense, which degrades only? The same is true about what we speak. Mind is the biggest offender. One may feel that what we think is harmless. This is far from the truth. How does one lose control over one’s mind? It is in plain words: giving full freedom to the mind. Once the mind is out of control, it gives more pain than one can imagine. Most mental sicknesses have origins in the mind being attached to think what is harmful to us.
Ahankar is another big enemy. We are attached to the feeling of being a doer, superior, etc. What does this do? We are distanced from others and from God. What about being attached to too many comforts? One does not even bother to walk, which is basic for good health. Are we making the best use of our special abilities? How about intelligence? Are we making the best use of this faculty? Our intelligence is at its worst when we consider sex pleasure as the topmost pleasure for which we are ready to sacrifice all that we have achieved.
If we do all that we are on our way to mind control. What else will help in mind control? Lord Krishna guides in the Geeta, “It can be brought under control by practice and detachment from sense objects.” (6.35) We should obey God’s instructions about detachment from sense objects, especially sex. Lord Krishna wants us to always remember God, having surrendered our mind and intelligence to Him; one will then get help from God. (8.7) Additionally, we should renounce all desires in toto caused by selfishness and regulate all the senses from all sides. We should slowly become detached from patient intelligence. (6.24-25) Then, what will happen? We would become like a yogi, who has a peaceful disposition, is fearless, and is established firmly in the vows of brahmachari (sex pleasure according to dharma only). (6.14)
Having achieved this status, we become qualified to gain peace, and we will obtain all kinds of benefits. Lord Krishna cites the example of a yogi. “A yogi of peaceful mind, whose passion is at rest; who is of divine consciousness; is free from sins; he achieves real happiness.” And the list goes on.
What is the conclusion? Peace comes from purity, which is gained by giving up lustful desires, i.e. not being desirous to enjoy in a wrong manner, because attachment to harmful sense objects binds. Yes, we all need enjoyment, but wise persons limit such enjoyments, which are conducive to bodily existence, and thus remain peaceful. A strong desire for purity is the starting point. This will help in getting detached from harmful sense objects, which will in turn help in mind control. Once the mind is in control, we will be peaceful, really peaceful, not momentarily.
(Bishnoi is a spiritual writer. The views expressed are personal)