Satvika Food and Satsanga Will Help Control the Mind

“The white ants would manifest bit by bit in the beginning, 
Soon they will eat away the whole log; 
The evil qualities appear to be insignificant in the beginning, 
Soon they will destroy even a person of sound character.” 
(Telugu poem)

Embodiments of Sacred Atma! 
For the progress of Man, both –– a strong mind as well as purity of thought are essential. The mental strength is the basis for the rise or fall of a human being. Man has two states of mind based upon his perception at a given point of time –– one is hita and the other ahita (desirable and undesirable). The river flows in the hills, jumps down into the valley, gains momentum due to the ups and downs of the terrain and then flows swiftly, changing its course now and then due to other hill streams, rivulets and tributaries joining it. Similarly, the stream of life also flows swiftly and turbulently due to several ups and downs and also the relationships man establishes with others. No one can escape this swift current and ups and downs in his life’s stream. Whether in the beginning of one’s life or in the middle age or in old age, at one time or other, one has to experience them. It is very essential that man realises this truth. One who has realised this truth will never be afraid of anything in life. It is only those who have not realised this natural phenomenon that will be haunted by such fear. Hence, one has to realise this truth, at the outset.

Man will be prompted by several desires arising constantly from within and also from outside, which ultimately will shape themselves as sankalpas (resolves) in the mind. The mind, however cannot accommodate all those sankalpas. Hence, those sankalpas which are important and beneficial for the spiritual progress of man must be retained and the others are to be rejected after a proper enquiry. It is only then that one can have peace of mind. This process of fixing the mind steadily on some desirable objective is called Avadhana. In fact, the objective of the mind is Avadhana. The process of eliminating undesirable sankalpas and retaining only desirable ones in the mind is also called Chittaikagrata (concentration of the mind). Developing Abhiruchi (desire) in the inner self to do so is also called Avadhana. Both Abhiruchi and Avadhana are inter-related and inseparable. Without Chittaikagrata and Avadhana, one cannot achieve even a small task. It is essential for man to realise his true nature with the help of total awareness. The activities of the mind are very strange. The Sankalpas of the mind spread everywhere and envelop the entire world. Even though man dies, his sankalpas will not die. The inner meaning of this statement can be understood with the help of Ahalya’s example. Though Ahalya was transformed into a stone due to the curse of her husband Maharsi Goutham, her Sankalpas did not undergo any change. That is why, when Lord Sri Rama was passing through her Asrama and put his foot on the stone, she was transformed back into her original form, Ahalya.

Embodiments of Divine Atma! We should not wish for a new birth or a change in our physical structure. It is not desirable. On the other hand, it is very essential that we should pray for a change in our behaviour, cultivate sacred desires and lead a life of contemplation on divine thoughts. The human body is a very complex organisation. Whether it is the chief or an ordinary worker - everyone in this organisation has to discharge his duties well. Every employee in the organisational hierarchy has to follow the formal chain of command and discharge his duties properly. There are four important workers in this organisation, namely the body, the senses, the mind and the intellect. The chief of this organisation is Atma. Since the intellect is close to the Atma, it wields a lot of power. That is the reason why the mind should follow the commands of the intellect. In turn, the senses should follow the commands of the mind and the body, that of the senses. This is the correct procedure

Another example. The charioteer is the chief of the chariot. However, usually people think that the horses are the most important component of the chariot. This is a mistaken notion. Whatever may be the nature of the horses, if the charioteer is an expert he can drive the chariot safely. The human body can be compared to the chariot, the senses to the horses, mind to the bridle and the charioteer to the intellect. On this analogy, the charioteer called intellect is yoking the senses (horses) to the chariot of the body and driving it carefully holding the bridle of the mind. This is the proper method. On the other hand, if the mind is given the charge of the charioteer, it will lead us to disastrous consequences.

In this context, a small example can be cited. We all have gathered here as early as 4.00 p.m. Swami’s discourse may conclude in another half hour. Among the people sitting here, one person may think “Oh! God! It is already 7.00 p.m. I have to go to the canteen for dinner.” Thus, the mind makes a resolve. By following the mind’s resolve as above, he will be deprived of the opportunity to listen to the nectarine discourse of Swami. How unfortunate the person is! In the meanwhile, the intellect enters the scene and chides him “Oh! Foolish man! You have come here from a long distance of four hundred miles and sitting here for more than four hours. You have taken so much trouble. Can’t you sit for another half hour and patiently hear Swami’s valuable discourse fully? What a great joy you will derive by listening to Swami’s nectarine words! Don’t listen to the foolish mind. Sit down!” If the person listens to the advice of the intellect, he will be happy and fulfil the purpose for which he has come. His life will be sanctified. However, if he disregards the advice of the intellect, he will forget his own true nature and the purpose for which he came there. Finally, he will miss his goal.

The intellect will, however, be giving several instructions even in small matters. But, the mind refuses to follow those instructions. Since it is not guided by the intellect, the sankalpas arising in the mind will not be clear-cut, leading to several distortions. The mind in such situations will even forget the path of devotion. If the sankalpas become fruitful, it will become obedient. Otherwise, it will not hesitate to rebel. Not only will it go on its own, but instigates the senses also to rebel. Thus, the mind treads the path of anarchy. 

The spiritual sadhana is an effort to channelise such a rebellious mind in the right direction. We must be extremely careful in training the mind in the spiritual path. Supposing a small stone is thrown into a pond. Even though the stone is small, the impact of its fall on the water surface will create ripples which will spread to the entire pond. Similarly, in the lake of our mind, however small a stone of sankalpas is thrown into, it will create ripples that will spread to the entire body. If we drop the stone of bad sankalpas in the lake of our mind, we will have bad thoughts, we speak bad words, we see bad things and listen to bad words. This bad sankalpa will permeate the entire body and prompt us to undertake bad deeds. On the other hand, if we drop the stone of good sankalpa in the lake of our mind, it will prompt all our senses to undertake good deeds. Man’s life is guided by the ripples in the lake of his mind. His mind will loose its stability on account of the ripples. He forgets his very human nature and even defiles his innate divinity. That is the reason why it has been said "Manayeva manusyanam karanam bandha moksayoh" (Mind alone is the cause for either bondage or liberation). We have been making an effort for the last seven days to understand the nature of the mind and its mysteries. In fact, this is our foremost duty. When once we are able to unravel the mystery of the mind, that itself is moksa (liberation).

Then, the question arises as to what all could be the basis for the mind. First of all, the food we eat. As is the food, so are the thoughts. As are the thoughts, so is the mind. Hence, first and foremost, we must provide satvika food to our body. Satvika does not mean simply eating fruits, milk and curd etc. In fact, the human body takes ‘food’ through all the five senses. But, people generally think that they are taking food only through one of the five senses, namely the tongue. This is a mistake. The eyes, ears, nose, tongue and the skin are the five senses through which we feed our body. Therefore, all the food we take through these five senses must be satvika. It means that the eyes must have sacred and divine vision. The ears must listen to sacred words. The nose must smell divine fragrance. The skin shall experience divine touch. Thus, all the five senses must be purified by consuming satvika food. It is only to stress this point very often, I exhort you to keep yourself away from committing the Panchadosas (the five evils committed by the eyes, ears, tongue, hands and the mind). They are the Drstidosa (seeing bad things), Sravana dosa (hearing bad things), Vak dosa (talking bad words), Kriya dosa (bad deeds) and Mano dosa (entertaining bad thoughts). If you can achieve this, you will yourself become God.

At times, we have to perforce listen to some unpleasant and undesirable things. Since we do not like such conversation, it is better to move away from that place instead of sitting there and listening to such unpleasant talk. Unfortunately, we do not make an effort to do so. Instead, we constantly remember those words and even try to believe them, though unwillingly. In due course, we develop a liking for those unpleasant and undesirable things. This is human nature. Not only this. We are even prepared to share them with others. This is the reason why man’s mind is getting polluted. In fact, we should not lend our ears to scandals. Instead of keeping ourselves away from them, we take part in spreading the scandals. Why should we indulge in such sinful activities? To lend our ears to scandals is itself a serious mistake. To spread them to others is another mistake. By doing so, we will be committing two mistakes and expose ourselves to a great sin.

The mind is very devious in nature. However, it is possible to remove the impurities even in such a cunning mind and divert it to the Divine path, by God’s grace. If we cultivate an evil mind, the evil thoughts in our mind will be spreading to the people around. Thereby, not only ourselves, but others also will be affected. On the other hand, if we develop a pure mind with sacred thoughts, they can be shared with others also. For example, if I hold a beautiful and fragrant rose flower in my hand, its fragrance will spread not only to my entire body, but to others around me as well. Similarly, an object with foul smell will spread its bad smell to all. Hence, we should not cultivate an evil mind. There are certain methods by which the mind can be trained to cultivate pure and sacred thoughts. The Satsanga (joining the company of good and God-bound seekers) is one such method, which will greatly help the mind to tread the Divine path. However, it is only when we make an effort to comprehend the functioning of the mind in totality, that we will be able to realise its true nature. It is not possible to establish the true nature of the mind, by identifying a small fraction of the mind. Take for example, this rose flower. It is only when its form is revealed to you in full, you can identify it as the rose flower. Similarly, when you make an effort to comprehend fully the functioning of the mind, you will be able to understand its true nature. In such a case, there will be no scope at all for fear and delusion.

In fact, the mind is illusory. It has no form. I have told you several times that the mind is like a camera lens. When the lens is turned towards the people sitting this side of the dais and clicked, their photograph will come in the camera. If it is turned to the other side and clicked, the photograph of the people sitting that side will appear in the camera. It is like the wind that has no specific form. When it is filled in a foot-ball, it assumes the form of a foot-ball. On the other hand, if it is filled in a balloon, it will assume the form of a balloon. In fact, the air as such has no form of either a foot-ball or a balloon. Depending upon the object in which it is filled, it assumes that form. Summing up, the mind assumes a particular form, based upon a particular sankalpa.

Embodiments of Divine Atma! First and foremost, we must ensure that our sankalpas are sacred, pure and helpful to others. We must make a conscious effort for this purpose. Further, it is also essential that we take satvika food. Instead of involving ourselves in undesirable activities, it is necessary that we take up activities helpful to others and also participate in social service. It is common knowledge that people undertake certain physical exercises and gymnastics to keep their body fit and strong. Just as exercise and gymnastics are necessary for the well-being of the physical body, so also satvika feelings, satsanga, good deeds and service activities are necessary for regulating the nature of the mind. They all contribute to the nourishment and well-being of the mind. One has to recognise the fact that satvika food and satsanga are essential to control the mind. It is also necessary to realise the truth that ups and downs are bound to occur in the life of a human being at one time or the other and therefore one has to develop samachitta (mental equanimity) at all times. Then only one can experience bliss. One may study Vedas, Sastras, Itihasas and Puranas; One may have the darsana of elders and noble souls; one may read a number of spiritual texts; One may take up any number of sadhanas; but, without attaining Chittasuddhi (purity of consciousness) and Sat sankalpa (good thoughts or resolutions), one cannot attain the fruit of jnana. 

“One may be able to memorize the vedas and vedic sciences; 
One may be able to compose beautiful poetry and prose; 
If one has no purity of consciousness, he will spoil himself. 
What more can I explain? 
(Telugu poem)