Dirty Waters

ಕೊಳದ ಜಲ ನಿನ್ನ ಮನ; ಲೋಗರದರೊಳಗಿಳಿಯೆ |
ತಳದ ಕಸ ತೇಲುತ್ತ ಬಗ್ಗಡವದಹುದು ||
ಕಲಕದದ್ದದೆ ಕೊಂಚ ಬಿಟ್ಟಿದ್ದೊಡದು ಮರಳಿ |
ತಿಳಿಯಹುದು ಶಾಂತಿಯಲಿ ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮ ||

Your mind is like the (stagnant) waters of a pond, which is easily disturbed by external objects. When worldly objects get into it, all the dirt from within surface up; the dirt from within comes up and creates a murkiness. But, if we let it alone and not disturb it, it will gradually settle down to its peaceful, clear state.

DVG ki Jai :) Mind is compared to stagnant waters - stereotyped, limited, dirty at times, helpless, easily disturbed by even a small stone, but quick to settle down. When we step into it we can see the dirt come up easily. This is why DVG tactfully compares mind to a pond, not a river which flows. The trick is to keep it still or keep it flowing like a river and not letting the internal dust corrupt our nature of peace.

There is lot of dirt within in the form of kaama (lust, desires), krodha (anger), lObha (greed), mOha (illusion), mada (pride), and maatsarya (jealousy). We have no control on any of these arishadvargas, six categories of 'enemies' that can drag us out from the path of righteousness. We are the nicest people until others step into our "possessions". When a neighbor gets a car or a colleague gets a promotion or when a friend gets a better mark the dirt within surfaces. When external things disturb us, these negative elements surface out and show our "true colors", or most often the "wrong colors". What should one do when disturbed? Keep calm and let things settle down. Do not do anything in the "heat of the moment" as people say.

Our mind learns from us, and it learns to simply react depending on situation, which gradually become habits. So it would be what we train it to be. And, intelligence is the tool to train the mind. Many people use intelligence and knowledge interchangably, which is incorrect. Every human is equipped with intelligence, the ability to differentiate of the right from the wrong, the good from the bad, the infinite from the infinitesimal. Knowledge is accumulated learing from the past and can infact be a by-product of intelligence. Intelligence can help acquire knowledge, but aggregating knowledge need not translate to intelligence. Knowledge is abstract, and intelligence is the application of it. So, knowledge is below intelligence. Anyway. The ability to access that intelligence depends on the level of consciousness of an individual, which is tuned by samskaara and karma.

Why all these??? They make sense to understand that there are several levels for one to train the mind. The most intelligent ones know to control their mind and have the ability to live a simple life. Living a simple life is the most complicated aspect of life, because the mind would not let you, unless you train it to. So, it is the intelligent who can see the real purpose of life and tune his desires to match the ultimate goal of life. Anyway.

If we let mind on its own it will learn from the instincts or the sense, which are mostly negatively valenced. In that case, we are no different from animals, which are directed and dictated by their senses. So, one needs to practice some amount of yama (restraints and disciplining) and niyama (observances). The practice of ahimsa (non violence, peace with creation), satya (truthfulness), aasteya (refraining from wrong doing, like stealing), brahmacharya (refraining from adultery, observing control), kshama (forgiveness), druti (steadfastness), dayaa (mercy), aarjava (honesty), mitaachaara (ಆತ್ಮಸಂಯಮ, temperance, controlled behavior), saucha (cleanliness) are all the different steps prescribed for yama. Note that each one needs a special training for the mind, each one needs some amount of effort and sadhana. Further, one should also learn to practice hri (remorse), santhosha (contentment, satiation), dhaana (charity), aastikya (belief in God), eeshvarapooja (worship of the Lord), siddaanta shravana (hearing to the supreme most spiritual texts), mati (intelligence), vrata (piety), japa (chanting), tapa (meditation) are the aspects of niyama. Through these one can train the mind to be peaceful.

While the sanatana dharma prescribes one to be with peace with oneself, the western belief would have us believe in indulgence. With indulgence come greater disturbance because there is never an end to the needs and wants. The right way to live though is to keep the mind unperturbed by the external turbulances.

Sarvam Shri KrishNarpaNam.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.