The Hindu : Miscellaneous / Religion : Thought power

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Wednesday, May 25, 2005

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Thought power

CHENNAI: Of all the faculties a human being is endowed with, the ability to think is unique and powerful. It can be harnessed to lead an individual to any path, either right or wrong. There is every possibility of a person going astray, if one is not sure of the right path. It is here that the guidance of a truly learned teacher, a Guru, can make all the difference. Preceptors serve as signposts, showing the right direction to one who is ignorant, confused or at a crossroads. If the state of Arjuna's mind, as the warrior stands in the Kurukshetra battlefield, typified the predicament in which everyone finds himself quite often, the way Lord Krishna, his charioteer, clarified his doubts and dispelled all his wrong notions about what constituted Dharma, best illustrated how valuable and necessary is the guidance of an Acharya.

Dwelling on the mental state of Arjuna, Swami Mitrananda said in his lecture that the Pandava warrior was overcome by a sense of despondency. Arjuna is absolutely demoralised, almost hysterical and argues with Lord Krishna against waging the war, harping on the principle that fighting one's kinsmen can be the worst of crimes. Arjuna displays a mental weakness caused by confusion and hallucinates in this fashion.

The power of thought is stronger than many things, and can be dangerous when it coloures one's judgement, by causing confusion. It is easy for the average human being to slide into depths of ignorance, feel depressed and wretched, thinking of one's limitations, faults and incompetence. Repeatedly giving vent to such thoughts can easily lead a weak-minded person into believing that what he thinks is true. Such a miserable state is equal to being in hell.

Arjuna is in such a fix, when he is absolutely convinced about his point of view, and is unable to come out of this pathetic state. To enable Arjuna to come out of this state of sentimental self-pity and to take control of his mind, Lord Krishna appeals to his sense of honour and prowess as unparalleled warrior, while pointing out the fainthearted nature of his pessimism. He gently reveals to Arjuna God's purpose and the indestructible nature of the Self. In the Bhagavad Gita, God, the greatest teacher, has shown the right path to the ultimate goal, liberation from human bondage.

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