Manah Sodhanam -Verse 18

The more I delve into Vedanta, the more I like it. So many people I know feel that Vedanta is for people who are 50+ and have already lived their lives and done their duties. Many of my well wishers even feel that I should not be thinking/talking/writing about this, lest I get brainwashed into becoming a sanyasini. But the beauty of Vedanta study is, it really makes a difference in my day to day life. When I am keenly observing myself and my thoughts, I very rarely have negative thoughts about someone or something else. And I am becoming less reactive and less agitated. I don't know if it is a temporary effect or a lasting one, but I am immensely enjoying this. The worry factor -especially worry caused by unnecessary fabrication of hypothetical scenarios -has really come down. It is like as if, deep down, I feel that everything is ok...as if I don't have to worry about anything.

Most importantly, I am so happy that I am writing so much. When I write, all the thoughts that are floating in my mind gets crystallized. Thanks to my Guru for suggesting this as my spiritual sadhana. The most surprising thing is, nowadays, I feel like meditating. I am the type of person who enjoys only dynamic activities. I can't even do yoga without getting bored out of my brains. But when I myself feel like meditating...I don't know what to say! But for all the talk, I am yet to start meditating. Will update here when I actually sit down start meditating.

I am also realizing the importance of discipline. When our parents drilled the habit of praying everyday, to cook and also eat  only after taking bath etc, it was all about bringing a discipline in us. So often, I find myself slipping up here and there. Rushing to office without praying, not going to temple regularly, skipping my exercises...small slips... but giving myself so many excuses for not doing it.

Why am I writing so much about myself without moving on to the next verse? I just wanted to remind myself the reason for doing this whole exercise. Moving on, verse 18 is as follows.

 UPAYASTU  PURA  PROKTO  NARADENA  YUDHISTHIRAM

CITTADOSANIVRTTYARTHAM  SREYASE  CA  SMARAMI  TAM

The verse says, "However, in the olden days, Sage Narada had described to King Yudhisthira the means to eradicate the impurities of one's mind. for my own good, I now remember it." The next four verses of Manah Sodhanam are from Srimad Bhagavata and they tell us how exactly to address and overcome each and every mental impurities.

Here, I want to quote a few lines directly from Manah Sodhanam as a prelude to the next verses. Swami Tejomayananda says, "Whether one is living a secular or spiritual life, purity of mind is essential. Impurities of the mind manifest themselves when the mind is functioning. However, since a wise man is not disturbed by his mind, it is evident that the mind itself is not the problem. On further analysis, we find that ignorance is the cause of our problem. The nature of ignorance is to see the world as separate from us, to consider it as the absolute reality and source of joy or sorrow.

"This idea creates likes and dislikes in our mind and, thereafter, we run towards the things we like and away from the things we dislike. this delusion is called samsara and is the result of our own projections." This captures the essence of what we have seen so far in a nutshell. The coming verses will be interesting as I can practically use it in my day to day life. Hari Om!