There was a Great Man. Millions of people used to worship Him & sing praises of His name. Somebody asked Him:

"People either bow or at the most get down on their knees in front of great kings & powerful presidents but they never worship such personalities. On the other hand people worship You. They do not bow to You as a formality but there heart is filled with devotion when they bow to You. Millions of people worship & give offerings to Your picture. How did You become so great?

There are several people in this world who earn respect & gratitude but neither the millionaires or presidents or military heads or the kings are ever worshipped with devotion like it is done for You. You are worshipped like Lord Rama & Lord Krishna. How did You become so great?"

That Great Person gave a one word reply -'Self-Control'.

Then that man asked again: "Oh Great One! When did the lessons for self-control start in your life?"

The Great Person said: "The lesson for self-control started when I was five years old. At that time My father said to Me:

'Son! Tomorrow You will go to school (Gurukul). Neither Your mother or me or Your brother will accompany You. Tomorrow morning the servant will serve breakfast to You & make You ready & then take You to school on a horse. While leaving for school if You see us then You might get attracted towards home. Therefore, we'll hide in the house of somebody else. You'll not be able to see us but we'll make arrangements to see you when you leave for school. We'll observe your attitude, whether You leave home crying or leave happily like the children of our family should do. If You turn around to see Your home when the horse takes a turn on the main road, even then we'll think that you are a blacksheep of the family.'

Not even allowed to turn around & see! How strong a heart did My parents have to make for expecting such high ideals from a five year old? How much self-control was expected!! What a discipline!!!

The father said: 'Then when You reach school & Your Guruji (teacher) takes Your test by making You sit outside the school, then You need to sit outside. You'll have to have self-control until Guruji gives permission to enter school. If Guruji likes Your behaviour & gives You admission in school then You'll be a child of our family otherwise You'll be the child Who brought bad name to our family. Therefore do not become a blacksheep but successfully get admission in school.'

My father explained everything to me & I reached the school. Our servant went to Guruji to seek his permission for the student to enter the school.

Guruji said: 'Make him sit outside.' After sometime Guruji came outside & said:

'Son! Sit here & close you eyes. You keep sitting here with closed eyes until I come back or You here my voice . This is a test to see how much control You have on Your body & mind. If You have control over Your self only then will You get admission here. If You do not have self-control then You cannot become a great person or a good student.'

Self-control is the foundation of life. If there is no self-control then good concentration, brightness of mind & good memory are not developed. These qualities grow with self-control. Therefore, self-control is mandatory in life.

Guruji left that place after giving Me instructions. Sometime later it was recess time in school. Many children came near Me. I wanted to see who all are there in the school but then I was reminded of self-control. Later on some children were sent to play near Me. I really wanted to see them but then self-control!!!

The first experiment to develop the strength of My mind was performed - Self-Control! The key to increase My memory was found - Self-Control! I found the first grace of My Guruji to make My life great - Self-Control! I had to prove my Self-Control at such a young age. If I had failed this test then My father would have always look at me with disparagement.

All the children left after playing but I did not open My eyes. After some time sugar syrup was poured down near Me. A few drops of that syrup was purposely made to splash on My legs & thighs. I wanted to open My eyes & see what will happen next? But then I remembered the instruction of My Guruji not to open eyes. Ants started moving on My body but I remebered to pass this test of self-control.

Three hours went by. Then Guruji came & said very affectionately: 'Son! Get up. You have passed this test. You did a great job!

After saying so Guruji himself made Me get up with his hands. I got admission in the school of Guruji. That meant I got admission in the kingdom of God. Then by sincerely following the instructions & commands of Guruji I reached to this height.

Thus the main thing to make Me great was self-control."

The root of the tree has self-control that is why it has green leaves, blossoming flowers & it gives shade to many. If the root does not practise self-control then the leaves will become pale, the fruits & flowers will die, the life of the tree will come to an end...

The sound of guitar is sweet when its strings are controlled. If the strings are slackened then...

Oh Man! In the same way you should also teach yourself the lesson of self-control. The conditions to become great are: self-control & moral behaviour. Even if you have failed for thousand times make efforts again, you'll definitely become successful. Do not lose heart. Keep adopting a small routine, keep taking a small pledge towards self-control everyday, & move on towards becoming great.