Boiling Point

ಕುದಿ ಹೆಚ್ಚೆವೆಗಟಹುದು; ಕಡಿಮೆಯಿರೆ ಹಸಿನಾತ |
ಕದಡಲೊಡೆವುದು ಹಾಲು; ಸೂಕ್ಷ್ಮವದರಹದ ||
ಅದವೊಲೆ ಮನದ ಹದ, ಅದನೆಚ್ಚರದಿ ನೋಡು |
ಬದುಕು ಸೊಗಹದರಿಂದ ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮ ||

High heat can burn it, low heat can leave it uncooked; such is the sensitivity of milk; so is the mind, give it the right heat, watch it carefully; so it is for a blissful life.

What a beautiful comparison. For the unintiated and those from the take-the-milk-from-the-fridge-cold generation, it is a common practice among Indians to boil the milk before consumption. The boiling of milk has great significance in "Hindu" mindset. Milk is considered the essence of life, a life sustaining entity, symbolizing prosperity (sree) and clarity.

Here one's life is likened to milk; healthy, pure, and something with which one can make innumerable dishes. One needs to boil the milk to mould it into numerous dishes; without the boiling its use is limited. Here boiling of milk can be seen as maturing of mind. When the mind matures (i.e. understands the true/spiritual nature of existence), options open-up. Without boiling it is hard to ascertain the nature of milk. But, if the milk is burnt (over boiled) it creates a bad smell which spoils the fun. On the contrary, incompletely cooked milk can also result in preparations that last very short shelf life (temporary sense gratifications?). So, it is the balance that one should strive to achieve.

Moreover, milk is extremely sensitive. It can easily spoil if neglected; for instance, a drop of lime can change its characteristics. The lime drop can be words of others that agitate and disturb us. Agitated mind (burnt milk; or even broken milk) can spoil dishes. But at the same time, a lack of internal churning can be destructive too; agitation (boiling) is of mind is the reason for all creation and innovation, as long as it is controlled agitation.

In summary, one needs to develop (mature) one's mind and strive for a sensitive balance between being undercooked and burnt.

Mind is the reason for success. Mind is the reason for failure.

Shri KrishNarpaNam.