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PHRASES IN THE GITA - 60
यथा दीपो निवातस्थो ... (अध्याय ६ - श्लोक १९)
யதா தீபோ நிவாதஸ்தோ ... (அத்யாயம் 6 - ஶ்லோகம் 19)
Yathaa Deepo Nivaatastho ... (Chapter 6 - Shloka 19)
Meaning : Just like the flame of a Lamp in wind-less place ....
Oxygen in air is essential for the lamp to burn . But , if air moves (Movement of air is called Wind .) , the flame gets disturbed . If the movement is frantic , the flame extinguishes . In a place where wind is absent , the flame is steady , still and quiet . There is only light . The flame does not register its presence .
There are many such analogies used in the Gita . (Gyaneshwari , a treatise in Marathi by Sant Gyaneshwar on the Gita , has lot more analogies .) This one is used for Manas , Mind or Psyche ... The Manas should be steady and calm . Common trait of Manas is Chanchalta or wavering . It does not be on one subject for long . It just hops and hops . Mano-Vega is a term used in Samskritam , denoting the speed of Manas . It is faster than light . It is here this moment and in almost no time it hops to another subject . It can reach the other corner of this planet and even other planets , or beyond in fraction of a second . Any act is easier than restraining the Manas. It is the toughest and most challenging act for human .
The result of Adhyatmik practices , (I do not relish using the term Spiritual practice for this as 'Spirit' and 'Atman' do not have same connotations .) should be a Calm Manas , a steady Manas . Just as the flame needs air (oxygen) , interaction with the world around is inevitable during our earthly life . Mano-Nasha is a term in our Philosophy . It is not killing of Manas . It is not creation of a personality which is rude and unconcerned to experiences in the world . The Manas of a Yogi is not rock-like . He also is Compassionate . He also relishes Coffee . He also is amazed seeing a Nature's wonder . But , he does not allow sensual interaction with the world to run amok . He does neither crave for some interactions , nor does he desperately wish to avoid some others . He just receives these in their strides . In such a state , the Manas does not register its presence and is as though non-existent . That is what denoted by a steady flame , in a wind-less place .
Apart from Desire and contempt (both are same and are two sides of the same coin . One can not exist without the other .) Fear is also a factor which disturbs Manas . That is why Abhayam or Fearlessness is listed as a Divine attribute . Worry is another form of Fear . A Samskrit saying (Subhashitam) says , "There is a minor difference between Chinta चिंता and Chita चिता . Just a Dot . While Chita burns the dead body , Chinta burns the Manas ." Worry also disturbs the Manas a lot .
A balanced , calm person , with a dispassionate , fear-less , non-worrying Manas , can live an active , vibrant , multi-tasking life in the world and yet be undisturbed , like the flame of a Lamp in a wind-less room .
Oxygen in air is essential for the lamp to burn . But , if air moves (Movement of air is called Wind .) , the flame gets disturbed . If the movement is frantic , the flame extinguishes . In a place where wind is absent , the flame is steady , still and quiet . There is only light . The flame does not register its presence .
There are many such analogies used in the Gita . (Gyaneshwari , a treatise in Marathi by Sant Gyaneshwar on the Gita , has lot more analogies .) This one is used for Manas , Mind or Psyche ... The Manas should be steady and calm . Common trait of Manas is Chanchalta or wavering . It does not be on one subject for long . It just hops and hops . Mano-Vega is a term used in Samskritam , denoting the speed of Manas . It is faster than light . It is here this moment and in almost no time it hops to another subject . It can reach the other corner of this planet and even other planets , or beyond in fraction of a second . Any act is easier than restraining the Manas. It is the toughest and most challenging act for human .
The result of Adhyatmik practices , (I do not relish using the term Spiritual practice for this as 'Spirit' and 'Atman' do not have same connotations .) should be a Calm Manas , a steady Manas . Just as the flame needs air (oxygen) , interaction with the world around is inevitable during our earthly life . Mano-Nasha is a term in our Philosophy . It is not killing of Manas . It is not creation of a personality which is rude and unconcerned to experiences in the world . The Manas of a Yogi is not rock-like . He also is Compassionate . He also relishes Coffee . He also is amazed seeing a Nature's wonder . But , he does not allow sensual interaction with the world to run amok . He does neither crave for some interactions , nor does he desperately wish to avoid some others . He just receives these in their strides . In such a state , the Manas does not register its presence and is as though non-existent . That is what denoted by a steady flame , in a wind-less place .
Apart from Desire and contempt (both are same and are two sides of the same coin . One can not exist without the other .) Fear is also a factor which disturbs Manas . That is why Abhayam or Fearlessness is listed as a Divine attribute . Worry is another form of Fear . A Samskrit saying (Subhashitam) says , "There is a minor difference between Chinta चिंता and Chita चिता . Just a Dot . While Chita burns the dead body , Chinta burns the Manas ." Worry also disturbs the Manas a lot .
A balanced , calm person , with a dispassionate , fear-less , non-worrying Manas , can live an active , vibrant , multi-tasking life in the world and yet be undisturbed , like the flame of a Lamp in a wind-less room .
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