Guest guest Posted January 2, 2008 Report Share Posted January 2, 2008 Make the Mind Light and Flexible ------------ --------- --------- -- Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha Devotion always is viewed as related to God. But Sri Krishna defines the devotee in relation to the situation around him, to the world sequences prevailing around. The feelings of hatred and allurement, friendship and enmity, in viewing and dealing with the society must vacate his mind. All-pervading God is thought of only to transcend these dvandvas (pairs of opposites) of the mind, and until such transcendence is conspicuous, one cannot claim devotion. With regard to praise and blame also, the devotee must have a sense of strong equality. The opposite effects generally created by these dvandvas must cease to be, and the mind must become light, flexible and unaffected. In the 13th chapter of the Bhagavadgeeta while discussing the virtues and excellences of a Jnaani (Self Knower), and showing what in practice constitutes spiritual wisdom, Krishna has enumerated 20 points. Of these, the following stands out distinctly (shloka 13.9): Nityam ca sama-cittatvam ishta-anishtopapatt ishu Here Krishna refers to the dvandvas as ishta (desirable) and anishta (undesirable). Any event, person, place or circumstances will generally be viewed by the mind as what it likes or dislikes. So in making a reference to the mind's desirable and undesirable notes, all external factors stand covered. The mind constantly undergoes these two notes. And samatva must be in and with regard to these. The mind freed from the clutches of ishta and anishta alone is the spiritually refined mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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