Controlling Emotions by Devotional Service

There are many cases of suicides in AIIMS, IITs and IIMs due to lack of spirituality in so called highly educated humans. Very recently, in August 2015, a 17 year old MBBS student allegedly com-mitted suicide by hanging herself from a ceiling fan in her hostel room in the All India Institute of Medical Sci-ences (AIIMS) in Delhi. This is the result of negative emo-tions which destroy and dam-age physical and psychological personality of a person by increasing stress level. They hamper our enthusiasm for life depending on how long we let them affect us. They make our life miserable and sad. The mind is restless, turbulent, obstinate and very strong and subduing it is more difficult than controlling the wind (Bhagwat Gita (Bg) 6.34). The mind is the friend of the conditioned soul and his enemy as well (Bg 6.5). The mind is the best friend for those who has conquered the mind and it is the greatest enemy for those who has failed to do so (Bg 6.6).

The Bhagwat Gita teaches us to control our emotions and to remain cool and calm. According to the Gita, all emotions, whether positive or negative are generated in the mind only as per external stimulus. Soul is entirely different from mind. When we connect the soul with mind,

we feel the qualities and emotions of the mind. It is undoubtedly very difficult to curb the restless mind, but it is possible by suitable practice and by detachment (Bg 6.35). Practice, here, means engaging oneself in devotional service. There are nine types of devotional services such as hearing Bhagwad Gita from the realized person, chanting Holy Name of God, remembering the Supreme Personality of Godhead, serving the lotus feet of Lord Krisna, worshipping, glorifying His Name, becoming servant of God, considering Him as friend and praying for divine help. Of these nine processes easiest is hearing Bhagwad Gita from a realized person like Prabhupad. Detachment, here, means detachment from matter and engagement of mind in spirit. By practice and detachment, we can control our mind.

Emotional balance is genetic as well as acquired. It also depends on our group or friend circle. If we are surrounded by negative thinking people who are always complaining and criticizing others, then we tend to think negatively. So we should try to be in the company of positive people like the members of BhaktiVedanta Club, IIT Patna. Students and teachers of IIT Patna are lucky enough to get the golden opportunity for self realization. By connecting themselves to their inner self they can overcome their emotional problems and practice their knowledge and expertise with utmost devotion and service orientation and thus excel in life.