Sayyam (Defensive War)

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यदा संहरते चायं कूर्मोऽङ्गानीव सर्वशः।
इन्नद्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थभ्यस्तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ॥2:५८॥॥

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Tortoise has an ability to pull back its limbs into its shell. Just like that every individual should have authority over his senses and intellect to have restraint on organs. Mind remains stable when there is self-control. Mind should be associated with an aim.

Abstinence is mocked at, these days. But it is of vital importance in ones life.

In this sculpture the body parts of tortoise are interchanged with human body parts. If an individual is able to control various organs in their particular role-play, such as nose to sense right smell, eyes to view right vista, ears for hearing civilized speech, hands to accept the rightful objects; then life would progress.

Nature teaches us to follow restraint. Trees follow the restriction of ground and so it flourishes and bears fruits. River follows restrain of its coasts and therefore it is considered as virtuous and praiseworthy. Strings of Sitar follow restrictions of peg to create mesmerizing music.

By idealizing Tortoise, Indian culture signals us to follow restraint in person and even socially.