Mantralaya-2005

(How to control our mind, as suggested by the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita)

Date : Aug 29, 2024

Background

Dear Devotees : Namaskara.

| Sri MannMoolaRamastu Mannmathe Moolamahasamsthhaana Mantralaya Sri Rayaramathe||
|| OM SRI RAGHAVENDRAAYA NAMAHA||
SATYAMEVA   JAYATI NA ANRUTA

Background

How to control our mind, as suggested by the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita, is described in Mantralaya (2005)

Meaning

We recently celebrated the joyous occasion of Sri Krishna Janmashtami, a day that marks the divine birth of the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna. Among the many gifts that Lord Krishna bestowed upon humanity, one of the most profound and timeless is the Bhagavad Gita—a scripture that offers us guidance on living a life of virtue, wisdom, and spiritual fulfillment.

In this article, let us turn our attention to Chapter 6 of the Bhagavad Gita, a chapter that holds great significance, especially in today's world. This chapter provides invaluable teachings on a crucial aspect of our lives: the art of controlling the mind.

In the fast-paced world of software and other industries, it's all too easy to become entangled in negative karma and energy. The pursuit of impressing your boss, engaging in office politics, and fabricating false narratives can quickly lead to a web of negativity. Such actions not only affect your professional reputation but also have a ripple effect on your personal life and family. While these tactics might yield short-term gains, their long-term consequences can be quite harmful.
It's crucial to remember the value of honesty, modesty, and self-control. By maintaining integrity and steering clear of negative influences, you can safeguard your mind and well-being. Surround yourself with positive, like-minded individuals, and focus on genuine, ethical practices. This approach will not only benefit your career but also foster a harmonious personal life.

The mind, as we know, is a powerful yet unruly force. It can be our greatest ally or our worst enemy, depending on how we manage it. In the sixth chapter, titled Dhyana Yoga or The Yoga of Meditation, Lord Krishna imparts wisdom on how to achieve mastery over the mind and, in turn, over ourselves.

Before we delve into the profound teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, let us first revisit the momentous scene that led to its divine revelation. The battlefield of Kurukshetra was set, with the mighty Pandavas and Kauravas poised to clash in a war that would determine the fate of a dynasty. As the warriors stood ready to unleash their fury, something extraordinary happened that would change the course of history.

Sri Krishna, the charioteer of Arjuna and the Supreme Being in human form, recognized the inner turmoil brewing within his dear friend. With the wisdom of a divine guide, Krishna understood Arjuna’s heart and the conflict that raged within him. In a moment of profound insight, Krishna urged Arjuna to take a closer look at the battlefield—not just at the enemy, but at the faces of his own kith and kin standing on both sides. "Arjuna," Krishna said, "behold your loved ones—your cousins, uncles, teachers, and friends. See them clearly, for this may be the last time you do so in this life."

As Arjuna gazed upon his relatives, a wave of affection and sorrow overwhelmed him. The memories of their shared lives, the bonds of family and friendship, suddenly overshadowed the crimes and wrongs that had led to this fateful moment. The thought of causing harm to those he loved and respected filled him with despair. His mighty warrior spirit faltered, and, overwhelmed by grief, he sank to his knees in the chariot, declaring to Krishna, "I cannot fight."

In that moment of vulnerability and confusion, Arjuna’s heart was laid bare, and it was then that Sri Krishna began to illuminate his mind. With compassion and clarity, Krishna began to unravel the complex web of emotions, duties, and moral dilemmas that Arjuna faced. He explained the nature of Dharma—the righteous path—and the responsibilities that come with one’s role in life. Thus began the sacred dialogue that we know today as the Bhagavad Gita.

The Bhagavad Gita is a timeless treasure of wisdom, a dialogue that addresses the deepest questions of life, duty, and the nature of existence. It transcends the boundaries of religion, offering guidance to all of humanity. In fact, during Krishna’s time, the concept of religion as we know it today did not exist. People were not divided by religious identities but were instead guided by their duties and responsibilities, which were aligned with their natural inclinations and roles in society.The Gita is not merely a religious text; it is a spiritual guide and a philosophical discourse that offers answers to the profound questions of life. It is a beacon of light for anyone seeking clarity, peace, and purpose, regardless of their faith or background.

In Chapter 6 of the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna, in a moment of profound introspection, turns to Krishna with a question that resonates deeply with all of humanity: "O Krishna, the mind is restless, turbulent, obstinate, and exceedingly strong. To subdue it, I believe, is more challenging than controlling the wind." In these words, Arjuna speaks not only for himself but for every one of us who has ever grappled with the complexities of the mind. He captures the essence of the human condition, where the mind, with all its relentless tendencies, becomes both a source of power and a formidable adversary. Arjuna describes the mind as restless because it is never still. It darts from one thought to another, like a butterfly flitting from flower to flower, unable to find peace or contentment in any one place. It jumps from subject to subject, often pulling us in conflicting directions, leaving us in a state of perpetual distraction.The mind is turbulent because it stirs up emotions that disrupt our inner tranquility. It creates waves of disturbance in our consciousness—waves of anger, hatred, lust, greed, envy, anxiety, fear, and attachment. These emotions crash against the shores of our soul, leaving us unsettled and agitated, much like a storm-tossed sea.Arjuna further observes that the mind is strong, for it has the power to overpower the intellect. It sweeps away the faculty of discrimination, rendering us helpless against its powerful currents. In its strength, the mind can lead us astray, clouding our judgment and making it difficult to discern right from wrong, truth from illusion.
Moreover, the mind is obstinate. Once it latches onto a harmful thought or desire, it clings to it with a tenacity that defies reason. It refuses to release its grip, causing us to ruminate over the same thoughts again and again, even when we know they are detrimental to our well-being. This stubbornness of the mind can be exasperating, as it drags us into a cycle of negative thinking, despite our best efforts to break free.Arjuna’s analogy is strikingly powerful. He compares the mind to the wind—an unstoppable force of nature that moves with incredible speed and power. Just as no one can hope to control the mighty wind that sweeps across the sky, so too does Arjuna believe that controlling the mind is an almost impossible task.This vivid portrayal of the mind's challenges reflects a deep understanding of human nature. It is a reminder of the inner battles we all face, as we strive to master our thoughts and emotions. Yet, it also sets the stage for the teachings that follow, where Krishna, with infinite compassion and wisdom, guides Arjuna—and through him, all of us—on the path to mastering the mind.

Sri Krishna provides a beautiful and insightful solution for controlling the mind—a mind that, when left unchecked, can lead us down a dangerous path of psychological turmoil. He describes a sequence of events, a downward spiral that begins with contemplation and ultimately ends in anger, warning us of the peril of allowing our minds to become fixated on sensory pleasures.

This sequence begins innocuously with contemplation—the simple act of thinking about or focusing on sense objects. As the mind lingers on these objects, it begins to develop attachment. This attachment, or deep-seated liking for the object, soon transforms into desire—a strong urge or craving to possess or experience that which the mind has become attached to.

However, when this desire is unfulfilled or frustrated, it inevitably gives rise to anger. And anger, as Krishna explains, is not a mere emotion but the trigger for a series of destructive consequences.

Anger clouds the mind, leading to delusion—a state where one loses touch with reality. This delusion creates confusion of memory, causing one to forget the lessons of past experiences and the wisdom of the scriptures. As memory falters, the intellect, which is the faculty that discerns right from wrong, becomes impaired. This impairment results in the destruction of intellect, leading to poor judgment, wrong decisions, and ultimately, the individual's downfall.

Krishna’s teaching emphasizes the critical importance of controlling our emotions, particularly anger, because unchecked anger has the power to obliterate wisdom and pave the way for self-destruction. It serves as a stark reminder that to stay on the path of righteousness, we must maintain control over our emotions and thoughts.

Anger doesn’t exist in isolation. It breeds further negative emotions and actions, disturbing one's inner peace and wisdom. Krishna highlights that maintaining control over our thoughts and desires is essential to preserving inner tranquility and avoiding the pitfalls of uncontrolled emotions.

This teaching also touches on the intricate interplay between the senses, mind, and intellect—the three domains where desires reside. The five sensory organs—eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin—are the channels through which we perceive the world. The mind, as the center of thought, feeling, and desire, processes the inputs from these senses and generates desires. The intellect, with its ability to make decisions and discriminate between right and wrong, should ideally govern the mind and senses.

However, when the mind is overrun by desire, it can overwhelm the intellect, leading to the downward spiral Krishna warns of.

Imagine this scenario in the office: You hear the news that a colleague has been promoted. Instantly, your ears relay this information to your mind. How your mind responds depends on how you have trained it. One possible reaction is anger and resentment. The mind, stirred by this news, might give rise to feelings of jealousy, depression, and even hostility towards your colleague. These emotions can cloud your judgment and create negative thoughts.Alternatively, a well-trained mind might respond differently. Instead of succumbing to negative emotions, it could acknowledge the colleague’s hard work and view the situation with acceptance and grace. Your mind might reflect, "It's okay; my time will come. I will focus on my own growth and see life beyond the office."

The way you groom your mind can thus shape your emotional response and overall well-being.

Thus, Krishna's guidance is clear: we must exercise vigilance over our senses, mind, and intellect to prevent them from being overpowered by desires. By doing so, we can maintain inner peace, preserve our wisdom, and continue to walk the path of righteousness, avoiding the devastating consequences of uncontrolled emotions

Krishna prescribes two powerful tools for this—vairāgya (detachment) and abhyās (persistent practice).

Vairāgya refers to the detachment from worldly attractions. The mind tends to run toward objects of its attachment, following the paths it has been accustomed to over time. When we detach ourselves from these objects, the mind loses its reason to wander unnecessarily. Vairāgya is not about renunciation of life but rather the renunciation of attachment to transient things, allowing the mind to find peace and stability.

Abhyās, on the other hand, is the dedicated and continuous practice required to change old habits or cultivate new, positive ones. For spiritual seekers, or sādhaks, practice is crucial. In every field, whether mundane or profound, practice is the key to mastery and excellence. The restless and turbulent mind must be trained, through constant practice, to rest at the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord.

Krishna’s teaching is clear: to control the mind, one must practice vairāgya by detaching the mind from worldly distractions and abhyās by continually bringing the mind back to God. This twofold approach—detaching from the world and attaching to the Divine—is the essence of controlling the mind.
“The perturbations of the mind can be controlled by constant practice and detachment.” This timeless advice underscores the idea that while the mind's nature is to be restless and easily distracted, it can be anchored through persistent effort and the cultivation of detachment.

Through this teaching, Shree Krishna not only acknowledges the difficulty of controlling the mind but also provides a practical and effective method to achieve this control. It is a reminder that the path to mastering the mind, like any worthy endeavor, requires dedication, effort, and the wisdom to let go of what does not serve our higher purpose. In this way, Krishna gently guides us towards inner peace and spiritual fulfillment.

The devotion towards Sri Raghavendrateertharu is the ultimate truth and is the most simple and effective way to reach Sri Hari  - "NAMBI KETTAVARILLAVO EE GURUGALA"! “Those who have complete faith in this Guru will never be disappointed.”

   || BICHALI JAPADAKATTI SRI APPANACHARYA PRIYA MANTRALAYA
   SRI RAGHAVENDRATEERTHA GURUBHYO NAMAHA||