The Bhagavad Gita is a treasure trove of knowledge - all that you need to be is an inquisitive student, because only when the student is ready, the master appears! Join me this month in the 'April A to Z challenge,' as I take you through selected verses of this monumental scripture, and try to decipher the amazing lessons it has in store for us.
Read P for Pride and Ego here.
In this verse, Krishna gives very specific instructions on how one can achieve quietude or stillness of the mind. He says that breathing is an important aspect for mind control. One who learns how to control their breath, also learns to control their mind.
The exact process of achieving quietude.
He says,
one must shut out all external (bahi) sense objects. Then, they must keep the
eyes (chakshu) and vision concentrated between the two eyebrows (bruvoh) and concentrate
on the tip of the nose with half-closed lids.
Then, they must restrict the inward breath (prana) and outward breath (apana) within the nostrils (nasa abhyantar). This helps in controlling (yata) the mind (manah), senses (indriya) and intelligence (buddhi). One becomes free from desire (iccha), fear (bhaya) and anger (krodha) and those seeking liberation (moksha) attain it.
The Story
of Kapila Muni and Devahuti
Kardama
Muni, the mind born son of Lord Brahma, practiced penance on the banks of the
river Saraswati for a period of ten thousand years. Pleased with his penance, Lord
Vishnu not only blessed him with a most suitable wife in the form of Devahuti,
the daughter of Swayambhuva Manu, but also took avatara as his son – Kapila
Muni.
Kardama muni
left for the forest after fulfilling all his duties, but Lord Kapila stayed at Bindu-sarovara
to look after his mother, Devahuti.
Devahuti
learns quietude.
Devahuti
said, ‘My mind is agitated and I have fallen into an abyss of ignorance. How
can I achieve quietude, and control my senses and my mind?’
Kapila
muni said, ‘Mother, I shall explain to you the system of yoga. This will help
you keep your mind still. This practice will eventually lead to liberation.’
He said, ‘One
should first clear the passage of air – first they should inhale very deeply,
then hold the breath in, and finally exhale. They could also reverse the
process – first exhale, then hold the breath outside, and finally inhale.
Do this for a period of time, makes
the mind still and free from external disturbances. When the mind becomes
still, one should concentrate on the tip of the nose with half-closed eyes and
see the form of Narayana and concentrate on him.’
Later, Kapila
muni goes on to teach the process of astanga yoga and Sankhya yoga to her. But
until the mind is quiet, the rest of process cannot be put into action, and the
only way to still the mind is by controlling the breath.
Have you
observed your breathing?
Observe
your breath when you are happy or calm. Also observe your breath when you are
angry or anxious or panicking. You will see that the breath is slow, cool and
relaxed when happy but fast and hot when angry or anxious. We think better when
the breath is slow and calm but find it difficult to think logically when the
breath is fast and agitated. We often make wrong decisions when we breath in anger.
A little
breath control is all it takes to still the mind and make better, empowering
decisions.
