Temptation leads to destruction

Temptation leads to destruction

Temptation is called pralobhanam in Sanskrit – the ‘enticement to evil.’ It is to be enticed or incited to do a wrong or forbidden act, like a person is tempted to steal. You are tempted when you are attracted to something, especially something wrong. For example, while shopping, you see an item which you desire to possess; you want it.  The thought then flashes into your mind that you can easily steal the item without getting caught. Or, take another example. A person is a cashier at a Bank or Business. He handles millions of dollars each day. The thought slowly enters his mind, and then takes root, that he can have some of those cash for himself. However, your conscience says no! So you dismiss the thought from your mind and move on. At that point, the temptation is over, and you are the victor.

Yielding to temptation has resulted in jail-time, broken marriages, ill-health, pangs of conscience, etc. How can we avoid this snare?

Being tempted does not make you a bad person. Everyone, at some point in time of his life, has been faced with this enticement. It is universally accepted that we all experience temptation in one form or the other. What really matters is how we re-act when we are tempted. Some dwell on the improper desire and sooner or later give in to it. Others promptly dismiss it as wrong. Everyone is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire.

It is wise to act quickly when tempted. In this regard, it is important that we trace the steps that can lead to wrongdoing. Arjuna asked Bhagwan Sri Krishna this very question. ‘Impelled by what, O Krishna! Does a person commit evil, even involuntarily, as though driven by force?’ (Gita 3: 36)  And the Lord gave this answer: “It is desire, it is wrath, begotten of the element of passion – insatiable and grossly wicked. This is the enemy in this case.”(Gita 3:37)

Duryodhana, one of the Kauravas and cousin of Arjuna, confessed his difficulty in refraining from doing wrong. “I know what is right, yet I feel no urge to practise virtue; I know even that which is unrighteous, yet I am unable to refrain from doing it. I do what I am prompted to do by some unknown being installed within me.”  (Duryodhana. Pandavagita).

The Hitopadesha has put the matter in its true perspective. “An offence is first generated in the form of a Seed – a Thought. When sown in the Soil of the Mind, the Seed germinates and grows into a Tree. Disease, Grief, Affliction, Captivity and sorrow – these are the Fruits of the Offence-Tree planted by human beings.”

The improper desire, when it has become fertile, (literally, when it has been conceived), gives birth to evil. Put simply, when we dwell on a wrong desire, we reach a point where our acting on it becomes inevitable. Yet, we can avoid being slaves to improper desires. We can gain mastery over them. Just as our mind can feed improper desires, it can also snuff them out. How? We can focus on something else – an activity that we had started and left unfinished. We can make plans to finish it. Or we can focus on a conversation with a friend or a sermon given at the Mandir or Television. Or better yet, we can let the mind dwell on a wholesome thought.

It is also helpful to reflect on the consequences of giving in to a temptation – about the harm it will cause. Giving in to temptation will result in emotional harm – we will have to live forever with a guilty conscience. We will also, be affected physically – taken before the court. And we will definitely suffer spiritually. Then, there is the Law of Karma which should be considered. For, a person will reap what he sows. Prayer, too, can be a big help. We should include in our prayer that God protect us from temptation.

(Pandit Ramdial Balbadar is a prominent Aachaarya (Teacher) of Hinduism in Guyana. He is the compiler and author of many titles and has over 30 years experience in Pandits’ Training across Guyana. He is currently the President of the Sanatan Vaidic Dharma Pandits’ Sabha, Region 3).