Yoga helps bring mind under control

CHENNAI: AtmaSakshatkara (Self-realisation) leads to moksha, the supreme object of human pursuit. But to realise the self, yoga is a means. Yoga shastra says that the means (upaya) for tattva darshana, or perception of truth is yoga. By practising yama and nimaya as perscribed in the Yoga shastra, one can achieve vairagya (dispassion) and singleness of mind. These two are very important for the seeker of truth. But so long as the mind is engaged in worldly pursuits and is unable to achieve singleness of purpose, it is utterly impossible to realise truth. Therefore, it is imperative for man to resort to yoga sadhana. In answer to the question on how to control the mind, Bhagavan says in the Bhagavad Gita, O kaunteya (Arjuna), by regular practice and dispassion, the unsteady mind can be brought under control. Again, yoga must be practised steadily and stage by stage. Only then, is it capable of conferring special benefits.Although Sankara Bhagavatpada was a great jnani, he was also a great yogi. Similarly, Sadasiva Brahmendra and others specially upheld yoga and shone brilliantly in the world. It is in the interests of seekers of truth to take up yoga sadhana and attain welfare. A man in charge of an institution must have the ability to lead without swerving from truth. The manager must have a special fortitude and enthusiasm for the job. Even if he succeeds, he should not feel proud or haughty. He should also be merciful. The people working for him must be really pleased with him. The great poet Kalidasa, in his Raghuvamsa, describes the manner in which Raja Maharaja administered his kingdom. The poet says, “The king’s behaviour was such that all his subjects thought that he alone was very dear or close to the king.”If a manager has this quality, the organisation will run most satisfactorily. The manager should also have a definite understanding that, while he does his job scrupulously well, the result of his endeavour is according to Isvara sankalpa or dispensation of the Lord. The Bhagavad Gita sums it up very well: “Liberated from attachment, not uttering ‘I’, endowed with the power to sustain and enthuse, unaffected in fulfillment or failure, such an actor is said to be sattvic.”