Deivathin Kural Series - 93

Om Namah Sivaya.
Deivathin Kural # 93 of 03 Nov 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. On line version of this book in Tamil is available at 'www.kamakoti.org'. 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 lecture, titled, 'Seelam Undaaga Vazhi' ie., 'Method of Imbibing Good Qualities.', in pages 446 to 448, in Volume 1 of Deivathin Kural, as part of a series of lectures under the Heading, 'Karma Margam', or 'The Path of Action', from pages 436 to 466. Unless specifically mentioned, he or man includes, she or woman.
3. To cultivate good personal traits and qualities, we should follow the directions of Vedas. Outer behaviour is based on inner attitudes. The duties, as laid down by the Vedas and Sastras, talk of daily and periodic, simple drills and duties, whose cumulative effect is to fine tune the mind to protect it from wrong and sinful thoughts and permit only ennobling ideas and concepts. To keep one's mind on the right track, guarding against going astray, is a life long endevour, without a let, till the last breath !
4. The mind can be compared with, a monkey; a pendulum, waves, the trunk of the elephant, etc. Though capable of greatness, it's penchant for mischief is enormous. Everyone cannot have a good mind, all of the time.
However sincerely one may wish to be noble and pious and good, it is not easily possible. Consider a child in the house. More intelligent and brainy the child, greater the repertoire of mischiefs it is capable of. The same child when it goes to school, quickly learns to stick to schedules, meat dead-lines, target achievements, and most importantly, learns discipline. The tendency to do mischief disappears. Let holidays come, he is back to his old tendencies. Similarly, if we get involved in activities good for the self and the society, without giving ourselves opportunity to go astray, then we can obviate indiscipline. Sastras lay the rules and regulations, for this purpose.
5. If we have to get good habits, bad ones must go. To get over our own bad tendencies, develop good ones. The Sastras tell us to, 'do daily Sandya Vandanams; Poojas; feed birds and animals and poor; look after guests', and so on. If you follow its directions, you will have no time for bad and sinful activities. While doing so, we should not carry the idea that we are too good or great. God has given us the chance to be good, for which we should have a sense of gratitude. Pride, conceit and inordinate sense of self esteem; are to be given no quarters. Give it an 'inch', it will not only take a 'yard', but the whole self. Vigilance has to be very tight, to guard against 'Aham bhavam', that is Pride !
6. Look in the glass. If it is dirty, covered by a film of dust, you cannot see. Even after cleaning it, you cannot see through it, if it is moving. The glass has to clean and static, if we are to see through it. The human mind is the mirror or glass. It has to be kept clean and fixed, if the truth is to reflect in it or through it. Who is the creator? Who provides us with all? If we are to get to know Him, we have to keep our minds clean, free of dust and fixed without waver.
7. For ten years, a copper vessel lies in the well. To make use of the vessel, we have to recover it from the well and rub it clean. More you rub, more bright, it becomes. For how long have we let our minds accept dirt and muck on it, by our wrong and bad deeds and thoughts? We have to rub it clean by, 'Karma Anushtanam'. Mind will be able to perform its allotted role, if you do so. It is not enough to do so for one day. Carry on relentlessly. One day, the mind will disappear. Only 'Atma' will remain. When there is no more 'mind', you won't mind any more. No more cleaning required then. Till then continue cleaning it, by 'Karma Anushtanam'.
Sambhomahadeva.