Deivathin Kural Series - 53

Om Namah Sivaya.
Deivathin Kural # 53 of 28 Aug 2006.

1.These e-mails are translations of talks given by the erstwhile Pontiff of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, over more than sixty years, published by Vanady Padippagam, T.Nagar, Chennai, India, in ten volumes, in the Tamil language. The english version is likely to be available very soon. These e-mails are simply an effort on the part of the sender, to share some of his bliss, as it is said, 'Yam perra peru peruga ivvaiyagam'. When he adds any personal observations he uses the phrase, 'KTSV adds'.
2. To-days chapter is from his lecture, titled, 'Samaniya Dharmangal - Anaivarukkum Poduvanavai', ie., 'Common Dharmas', in pages 287 to 290, in Volume 1 of Deivathin Kural. From page 287 to 340, Periyaval discusses the common injunctions meant for all, without being caste specific. They are such value systems as applicable to any situation, anywhere, anytime. Unless specifically mentioned, he or man includes, she or woman.
3. When we sit down to do Dhyana / Meditation, what prevents us from being able to concentrate ? The endless movement of the mind, is the cause. All problems are created by the mind only. The desires that arise in the mind is the root cause. We are not able to control the mind. Instead of being steady, it excels in fickleness. If we tell our mind to think about a particular thing or matter or concept, for a short period, it dwells on the subject under consideration; and in no time, without our knowing it, it runs away somewhere else. When I talk of Dhyanam and peacefulness, for a second, you will be feeling that your mind is static, and again in no time, it would have started it's oscillations. The peace and bliss that you feel will be evanescent.
4. If you tell yourself not to talk, it may be done for some time. If you tell yourself not to see anything, you may be able to close your eyes. But if you tell your mind not to think, even if you break your head telling it not to think, the mind does not obey. You have mind control only when you have control over the thinking process. When the switching 'on' and 'off' of the thinking is under your control, then only you can claim to have, 'chitta swaadeenam'. meaning 'mind-control'.
5. We refer to some people and say, that he is without, 'chitta swaadeenam' meaning that he is crazy. In truth none of us have control over our minds and so are mad. The insane person keeps on blabbering something. We keep running from pillar to post on the whims of our mind, and then we ask each other, 'Do you mind?'. Do you know what will be your condition, when you have control over your mind? Your whole body may be paining, when you tell your mind to ignore the pain, and you do not feel the pain anymore! A tiger comes in your front and roars, and you tell your self, 'do not panic' and you have no more fear! Then you have, 'chitta swaadeenam'! Now we are all the time crying for no reason. When you have mind-control, whatever may be the cause for sadness, you mind will remain pleasant and calm. Even when instigated you will remain unruffled.
6. The way to train your mind not to go astray, is to replace all thoughts of nagativity by positive thoughts. The thinking should become continuous like the flow of oil, instead of being continual or scattered. This is called, 'thaila dhara'. The mind should be made uni-directional like a, 'thaila dhara', and think of God, in everything and every person and every event. Then the thought, 'that I am thinking' will go, and you become divine in divinity. To control the mind like this is 'Yoga'.
7. Before death, you have to find a way, to control the mind. If we fail to do so, another birth is inevitable. Again endless oscillations of the mind and running from pillar to post. So, in this life itself, when there are enough reasons for desire and anger; amongst all these instigations; we should make a whole hearted effort. When you make such an effort and win, such a Man is a Yogi. His is Real Happiness, says Krishna Baghawan.
8. "Yoga and such things are for Rishis. I am only a common man. I am only too young. I am too pre-occupied." These are all lame excuses for procrastination. Who needs the medicine? The sick, is it not so? Who has the disease called, 'the mind?'. The untamed mind is a disease! So, We should take the medicine, to control the mind.
9. There are two methods of controlling the mind. One is overt and the other covert. Both the methods should be adopted. For running the Matam, as I need helpers like the cook and driver of the vehicles, outside the Matam. There are people who work inside the Matam, like the person who helps with the flowers and the men who hold the 'theevatti', or hold the lighted torch high. Use both outer and inner efforts, to control the mind to such an extent, that the mind becomes a tool under your control.
10. To give alms, to help others, to do Kar Seva, to do Prayers, Sandya Vandanam, participate in Yaga, community devotional activities; are all overt efforts. Dhyana or Meditation, is the best covert effort. There are five supportive inner tools for Dhyana. They are, Ahimsa, Truthfulness, Astheyam, Soucham and Indriya Nigraham. Ahimsa, literally means 'not being cruel'. To make your mind so full of Love, that you can not even think of any hurt to anyone or any life form. Sathyam or truthfulness, is to be so, by mind, speech and body. Astheyam, is not to steal as well as not to covet. Soucham is cleanliness of body, dress, mind and heart. Indriya Nigraham, does not mean destruction of senses. But such control, as obtained through use of the sensual pleasures in moderation, without indulging; keeping the other four parameters of, Ahimsa, Sathyam, Astheyam ans Soucham, in constant reference. To tell yourself, 'My eyes should not see this; the mouth should not eat this or say this; the ears should not hear this; the body should not commit this sin', is the control of the senses. You feed the senses, but only the minimum. Remain Hungry, is a yard stick to be applied not only for the tongue and stomach, but to all sensual pleasures.
11. These five are known as, Samanya Dharmas. As per Manu Dharma, this is required of all human beings, at all times.
Sambhomahadeva.