Translation
Krishna says that the mind (atma) can be the best of friends
(bandhur) for the one (atmanah) who has conquered (jitah) it, but it can become
the greatest enemy (satru- vat) for him who fails to do so (anatmanah).
Arjuna’s predicament is the same as ours.
While Krishna speaks about controlling the mind, Arjuna says
what we have been thinking. He says,
चञ्चलं हि मन: कृष्ण (my mind
is very fickle, Krishna) प्रमाथि (agitated) बलवद्दृढम् (and
strong willed/obstinate)।
तस्याहं निग्रहं (to
control this mind) मन्ये वायोरिव सुदुष्करम्
(is more difficult than controlling the
wind)
॥
(BG 6.34)
A story from Srimad Bhagavatam - King Ambarisha and
Sage Durvasa.
King Ambarisha was a ruler in the lineage of the royal
Ikshavaku clan. He was a powerful ruler of the entire world with great control
over his mind and senses. He dedicated his actions to Lord Narayana and lived a
life of discipline and devotion.
He had observed a scared fast on Ekadashi and was about to
break his fast on Dwadashi when sage Durvasa came to his palace. He received
the sage with a lot of respect and invited him to have food. Durvasa accepted
the invitation and went to the Yamuna River to bathe. Absorbed in samadhi, he
lost track of time.
Ambarisha breaks the fast and incurs the wrath of
the sage.
The time to break the fast was about to pass, but the king
could not eat before offering food to the sage. So, on the advice of the
learned brahmanas, Ambarisha sipped a little water to signify breaking the fast
so that both dharma and hospitality could be preserved.
When Durvasa returned, he was very angry. He considered even
sipping of water as having eaten without feeding the guest. His mind,
unrestrained and quick to anger, saw insult where there was none. To punish the
king, he took a strand of his hair and created a demon which appeared like the
fire of death.
Lord Narayana always protects his devotees.
Lord Narayana not only vanquished the demon immediately and
protected his devotee but also released his Sudarshan chakra to pursue Durvasa.
Neither the demigods, nor Brahma and
Rudra could protect him. Lord Narayana also could not excuse his offense and
asked him to seek forgiveness from Ambarisha himself. Finally, he returned to
Ambarisha and begged forgiveness.
The mind can be an enemy or a friend.
Ambarisha, whose mind was his friend, harboured no resentment.
He prayed to the Sudarshan chakra for Durvasa’s safety, and the danger
subsided. Durvasa, on the other hand, on account of his own uncontrolled mind, which
had become his enemy, was chased across worlds.
Let Krishna control our mind.
Krishna says that 'of the senses, he is the mind' - ‘Indriyanaam manaschasmi - इन्द्रियाणां मनश्चास्मि’ (BG 10.2)
It means that if our mind is engaged in his devotion, our mind
can become our greatest ally, guiding us towards clarity and peace. When it is
not, it creates suffering even in the absence of any real enemy.
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At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Deep gratitude to those who have lit that flame within me! Your comments are appreciated.