KATHA UPANISHAD - 58. Swami Advayananda.
Chinmaya Mission:
In our Hindu scriptures, it is said that we should not miss this time of the day! The most powerful time for every person!
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Friday 14, June 2024 07:00.
Chapter 1.3: 17 Mantras: THE JOURNEY AHEAD
1.3.5 & 6: The Intellect: Avijnanavan and Vijnanavan
Post - 58.
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1.3.5 & 6: The Intellect: Avijnanavan and Vijnanavan:
1
Yah tu avijnaanavaan bhavati = He who is of a non-discriminating intellect,
2
ayuktena manasaa sadaa; = having an unrestrained mind always,
3
tasya indriyaani avashyaani = his senses are uncontrollable
4
dushta ashvaah iva saaratheh. = like the wild horses of the charioteer.
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5
Yah tu vijnaanavaan bhavati = But he who is of a discriminating intellect,
6
yuktena manasaa sadaa; = having restrained his mind always,
7
tasya indriyaani vashyaani = his senses are controllable
8
sad ashvaah iva saaratheh. = like the tame horses of the charioteer.
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These two mantras focus on the intellect, which can be of two opposite types:
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1-4
The Avijnana-vani: The undiscriminating charioteer is the most dangerous
person to entrust for this work. A dull intellect filled with Tamas or a restless Rajasic intellect
cannot be relied upon to take one safely across Samsara.
An unthinking driver will cause a lot of problems. Which owner, after having spent a
fortune on a brand new Mercedes salon, will entrust it to a dull-witted, reckless driver?
5-8
The Vijnana-vani: This is the discriminating driver who is cautious about
following all the road rules, who is skilled in driving, who takes great care to rein in the mind
so that the horses are well-controlled. A good intellect is the key to a successful journey.
A good charioteer is sane and sober, thoughtful and discerning, understanding and
knowledgeable, he is patient, careful and alert to avert any danger on the road. For the
owner’s peace of mind, it is worth giving the intellect the highest salary.
The Vijnana-vani is capable of choosing Sreyas instead of Preyas. He possesses the
fortitude to walk the path of Vidya. As discrimination is the key to the whole journey, it pays
to take time and get the intellect trained to do this task well – even if that means spending
two years on a Vedanta Course!
The message we take from these two mantras is: “Let the Lord be the charioteer of our
lives. He makes all the difference. Let us place our intellect in His hands. Let us invoke the
Grace of Gayatri to raise our Buddhi towards the Light and keep it there. Let it not linger in
the darkness of ignorance.”
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Next
Mantras: 1.3.7, 8, & 9:The Destination: Successfully Reaching the Goal
Continued
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