Discipline. Discipline is the suppression of base desires, and is usually understood to be synonymous with self-control restraint and control.
If you are eager to advance in devotional service and to experience spiritual bliss, look to discipline.
Brahma, the first, and most intelligent being in the universe was advised by Sarasvati to engage in spiritual discipline by chanting the Krsna mantra. Brahma did this diligently for a long time, until Krsna was pleased with him and showed him the spiritual world.
The word discipline is related to the word disciple. “Disciple,” comes from Latin, discipulus, which means, “learner.”
And the word discipline itself derives from the Latin, disciplina, which means, “knowledge.”
It is clear that to learn, one must practice discipline.
To advance our spiritual knowledge, Krsna recommends that we submit ourselves to a spiritual master, accept training, and agree to strictly obey the disciplines he or she prescribes for us.
In the Gita, Krsna says, “Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized souls can impart knowledge unto you because they have seen the truth.” (Bg. 4.34)
By carefully applying the rules my teacher gives me, I move forward. But it is I who accept and apply them. No one else can do this for me.
However, one who voluntarily applies these prescribed spiritual disciplines is soon blessed with the mercy of the Lord.
In Gita Krsna says, “But a person free from all attachment and aversion and able to control his senses through regulative principles of freedom can obtain the complete mercy of the Lord.” (Bg. 2.64)
The beginning stage of devotional service is called vaidhi bhakti, “regulated bhakti.” During this stage, I must willingly accept whatever discipline is given by the spiritual master and scripture.
In Nectar of Devotion, Srila Prabhupada writes thus about Vaidhi bhakti, “One has to follow these different regulative principles by the order of the spiritual master or on the strength of authoritative scriptures, and there can be no question of refusal. That is called, vaidhi, or regulated.” (NOD Pp. 21-22)
But, happily, this is not difficult because the practices of bhakti are never dry or unnecessarily austere. Rather, they are juicy and blissful.
For example, chanting Hare Krsna, visiting the temple to observe the arti, associating with devotees, visiting the holy dhama, honoring prasadam, hearing Srimad-bhagavatam, worshiping the Deity, and so on, are all are joyfully performed because they keep one in touch with Krsna, the reservoir of all pleasure.
There are also prohibitive austerities. For instance, the “four regulative principles” which are to give up gambling, meat eating, intoxication, and illicit sex. Observing these vows keeps one situated in the mode of goodness, the mode that empowers one to discriminate between matter and spirit. Practicing bhakti without abstaining from the four sinful behaviors is compared to trying to light a fire while pouring water on it.
But, as I vigilantly practice the bhakti disciplines, my sinful desires are burned up and the natural devotion for Krsna within my heart is awakened.
When bhakti awakens, a spontaneous desire to serve Krsna springs forth, leading one to the next stage of bhakti, devotional service in ecstasy.
In the beginning however, I must follow the rules and disciplines, even when I don’t feel like doing so. Such discipline – along with the mercy of guru and Krsna – transport one to the higher stages of devotion.
Even in an ordinary sense, there are benefits to self-discipline. Psychologist, Nathaniel Brandon, mentions one such benefit, which he calls, “your reputation with yourself.” He says, “we build up or pull down our reputation with ourselves with everything we do or fail to do.” (ETF, Tracy, p. 72)
In other words, the more I voluntarily accept beneficial disciplines, the better I feel about myself. And, incidentally, the better I feel about my self, the more I will feel empowered to practice discipline. Discipline creates an upward spiral of improvement.
One way to adopt the self-discipline habit is to start with small disciplines that you’re sure you can handle. As you taste the rewards of performing these small disciplines, you’ll be encouraged to increase them. Furthermore, the disciplines you accept in one area of your life, will positively affect the disciplines in all other areas of your life.
The best and most important discipline of all is the chanting of the holy names of Krsna.
Arrange time to chant every day and listen carefully to the mantra. Also, stay fixed in chanting a regulated number of rounds of japa every day.
Regular chanting of the holy names will not only make all other disciplines easier, it will – as the following verses express – infuse the chanter with spiritual strength and bring him or her to the perfection of life.
“Let the all-auspicious glories of the holy name, which benedicts the entire universe, be victorious. Just as when the sun rises, it dispels the ocean of darkness. In the same way, when the holy name has only slightly risen within one’s heart, all one’s sins are completely destroyed.” (Padyavali 16)
“Oh King, constant chanting of the holy name of the Lord after the way of the great authorities is the doubtless and fearless way of success for all, including those who are free from all material desires, those who are desirous of all material enjoyment, and those who are self-satisfied by dint of transcendental knowledge.” (Bhag. 2.1.11)
Vaisesika Das