Source of Bhrama: Part 1

Written by mmpandit

By Dr Manish Pandit

One of my old quotes is that: “The world is caught up In Sankalpa and in Vikalpa” (I wish to commit / I do not wish to commit/ I wish to do/ I don’t wish to do)

Let’s explain this quote and the basis of my words using Shabda Pramana of the Gita.

Sankalpa and Vikalpa arise because of desire. While the root cause of desire is a different topic and desire itself can be useful, many of the desires of the mind which turn up from time to time are not useful and not of Dharmic propensity.
One can examine the thoughts of the mind and see whether thoughts are correct or not. But what of these desires? Do they merit further consideration or should one find a way of becoming desire-less? Desires are today a very important part of modern human life and the thought of giving up desire altogether is not something which would therefore appeal to everyone. But there are some desires which stand in the way of spiritual progress and indeed material progress. These sort of desires are poisonous to the mind. If kept inside the mind they end up poisoning the mind itself like a lake which contains a great source of arsenic.

Therefore the important thing is that those desires especially those which cause self poison must either be forgotten or they must be sublimated. But what if neither happens and the person gets into a source of mental agitation? The result is that people commit crimes and kill/poison and drug others and poison their own minds because of these thoughts.

Thus it can be proved that is in this context of the Sankalpa and Vikalpa that the problems most people face …. will arise.

The Gita says:

krodhad bhavati sammohah
sammohat smrti-vibhramah
smrti-bhramsad buddhi-naso
buddhi-nasat pranasyati

Thus we know that anger arises and causes delusion and from delusion arises confusion and finally loss of reason and then comes ruin.

Then what is the answer and how can the poison be absorbed? There is another verse of the Gita which explains one way:

Raga-dvesha-viyuktaistu vishayanindriyais-charan
Atmavasyair-vidheyatma prasadam-adhigacchati

Thus the self controlled Sadhaka manages to enjoy the objects of sense desires but the senses being disciplined…. eventually a semblance of control is achieved.

But this still gives us no complete cure for the mind which contains poison and must be healed.

It is in this context that Patanjali says: Yogas Chitti Vritti Nirodahah

This Vritti referred to is what gives rise to the Samkalpa and Vikalpa duality. “Nirodahah” of this duality gives rise to a placid mind.

To be continued…..

• Previous Post The Tantra of “Being That” – Part 1 Theyyam
• Next Post Homa As A Standalone Sadhana – Part 1 and 2

mmpandit