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Mind's tendencies

CHENNAI : The tradition of Sanatana Dharma lays emphasis on cultivating virtues because this human life is not considered in isolation. A soul in bondage undergoes countless births in the various orders of beings according to its Karma till it is liberated from the cycle of transmigration. Human behaviour is determined by the quality (Guna) — Sattva, Rajas and Tamas — that dominates over the rest. It is necessary to develop Sattvic qualities consciously to evolve towards the goal of liberation.

The Bhagavad Gita says, "If one dies when Sattva is prevailing predominantly then one attains the pure regions of the knower of the Highest. Those who die when Rajas dominates are born among those attached to action (human beings); and likewise those dying in Tamas are born in the wombs of creatures without reason (animals)." The moment of death thus is very significant spiritually because it is a state of transition and is influenced by how the mind has been shaped throughout this life. The mind with its latent tendencies (Vasana) thus becomes the seed of the births to come and only man has the capacity to evolve spiritually while all the other beings can only work out the Karma that brought about their births.

In his discourse, Swami Bodhamayananda said the life of Ajamila described in the Bhagavata Purana illustrated how the latent tendencies of the mind determined a person's future state of being. Though pious by nature, Ajamila fell into bad company and led a licentious life. Due to Sattvika Vasana he had named his last child Narayana. Though out of attachment he called out to him during his last moment, God's name saved him from damnation. Instead he attained liberation from rebirth for uttering the divine name. In his case it is thus clear that Sattva was latent and prevailed at the right moments.

It is imperative for a spiritual seeker to constantly observe the thoughts that arise in his mind. Unless there is a conscious awareness of the thoughts a person will be swept by its force like fireflies getting attracted to fire and falling helplessly into it. Human birth is in the order of materiality (Prakriti) and man has the potential to either culture his mind (Sattvic) and evolve spiritually or fall into the abyss of beastliness by succumbing to Tamas.

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