In the previous episode, we had witnessed the significance of Bhagawan’s “Shanka” and “Chakra” that He holds in either of His two hands. We’ve seen that the “Shanka” signifies our “Pancha-Indriyas”, which are nothing but our five senses of eyes, ears, nose, taste and touch. These are collectively referred to as the “Saatvika Ahankaara” in our Sanaatana Dharma literature. Similarly, the “Chakra” represents the “Pancha-Bhootas” or the five important elements of the earth surface, comprising the earth, fire, wind, water and sky. In our Sanaatana Dharma literature, these are collectively referred to as the “Taamasa Ahankaara”. Previously, we’ve also witnessed that Bhagawan Vishnu is holding the “Gadha” in His hand, and this signifies the “Intellect” or “Buddhi”. In continuation of this, we also know that our intellect is often inn the control of the mind, which is not very stable at all times. Our mind keeps wavering here and there unwantedly, and this is represented by the revolving “Chakra” of Bhagawan. Just like how the “Chakra” is ever-revolving and is not stationary at one point, our mind is also ever-revolving all around, and is never stationary at a single point. This is where, we’ve to realize that real spiritual progress happens in a person, only when the revolutions of the mind would reduce. More the reduction of the mind’s revolution, more the spiritual progress. This is what we’ve to understand from this important description from Sage Paraashara.
As a continuation of this point further, we should understand why Bhagawan’s Chakra” signifies the unstable mind, in a better way, as we move on. We’ve already witnessed a glimpse of it, but we shall witness this point in a bit of more detail, so as to drive home a very important point. For instance, even as we read through this episode, our mind would be wavering into so many different aspects – We might have some personal issues plaguing us, or some issues at work. Thus, even as our lips would continue reading the episode of Shri Vishnu Puraana, our mind would never be grasping it! At the end of the reading, if someone asks us what did we understand from the entire episode, we wouldn’t be able to recollect even a single point! This is the beauty of the mind here. For instance, how long would it take for us to read this one episode? Hardly 10 minutes? It is within this ten minutes, our mind revloves all around the world and comes back! Our mind would start thinking, “Oh! Are we wasting time in reading such stuff? Instead, if we could do some office work that is pending, we would get some salary hikes! What are we going to gain by reading all this Vishnu Puraana?” 🙂
We should remember and think within ourselves thus, “Oh! We’ve invested these 10 minutes of time for Bhagawan, and we’re learning something constructively. This is an investment for us to finish off our birth-death cycle. If we’re not focusing on this in this birth, we would have to keep repeating the birth-death cycle by taking countless number of births again and again, isn’t it? Already we’ve taken so many births, and finally we’ve landed up now with the golden opportunity to learn about Bhagawan. Why should we waste it? So we should make each and every minute count, rather than wavering and oscillating here and there!” If we counter-attack our mind in this way, automatically with the passage of time, our mind would come under control. This is what Bhagawan expects from us. In His Bhagawad Gita, Bhagawan Krishna highlights this important point. He explains that His ardent Bhakta is the one who has complete control of the mind. An ardent Bhakta is a person who doesn’t get extremely happy, extremely sad, jealous about somebody, etc. Thus, when the mind comes under control, all of these characteristics would be achieved by us. It might sound very easy for all of us to say and read through, but when it comes to implementation, it becomes tough. This is why we’re repeatedly emphasizing this point over and over again. We should take a step forward to put in the effort. Once we start putting the effort, Bhagwan would automatically guide us through with His divine grace.
The problem comes only when we’re totally reluctant to take even a single step forward. If such is the case, even Bhagawan becomes fed up after a stage. If we’re not putting the effort, even after Bhagawan gives us the opportunity, Bhagawan too starts thinking, “Oh no! Inspite of giving so many opportunities, this fellow is not taking them up! Looks like he wants to keep revolving in the birth-death cycle and doesn’t want to come out of it anytime soon!” This is where we lose out! Hence, this is why we drive home the important point here that our mind is very unstable and we’ve to somehow find out ways to control it. This is what the “Chakra” of Bhagawan signifies, and just like how Bhagawan is taming the “Chakra” to go and hit only those who follow “Adharma”, we’ve to train our mind to attain Bhagawan, and nothing else. This is what is the true characteristic of an ardent devotee as per Bhagawan Krishna!
So for today, let us once more ponder over this important point, and let us wait till the next episode to continue this discussion further! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 