Ashwas - Mental wellbeing and much more

                                                                        देहे त्यागितां कीर्ति मागें उरावी। मना सज्जना हेचि क्रीया धरावी॥ मना चंदनाचे परी त्वां झिजावे। परी अंतरीं सज्जना नीववावे ॥८॥ How does a person win over death to become immortal? If this pursuit is towards physical immortality then the battle is lost even before it begins. However there is another way a person strives to live forever. This is KARMIC immortality. Egoistical people try to achieve that by giving their names to buildings or school or hospital wings and other such materialistic possessions or by getting their busts and statues erected. This struggle makes one wonder, why is it so important to be remembered after death? The answer is clear, man loves validation! People who take great efforts in making sure to be remembered long after they are gone are those who have not been able to overcome this compulsive obsession of fame. Even though very few of such celebrated individuals really matter to the world o

 मना श्रेष्ठ धारिष्ट जीवीं धरावे। मना बोलणे नीच सोशीत जावें॥ स्वयें सर्वदा नम्र वाचे वदावे। मना सर्व लोकांसि रे नीववावें ॥७॥ Life is all about the choices we make. It is our choices that not only define our present but also our future. Samarth Ramdas elaborates on the fundamental power of COURAGE in this verse. Through its four lines, Samarth Ramdas connects courage to tolerance, humility and happiness thus reminding us that it is courage alone which can pave way for all the other qualities in life. Because courage alone can empower a seeker to make the right choice when it is most needed.  According to Samarth Ramdas, a seeker needs to have SHRESHTHA (supreme) DHARISHTA (courage) to be able to be happy in life. It takes great courage to stand up to anything that comes in our way of being true to life. This mental strength has to be cultivated slowly, gradually while keeping faith in the final goal which is to lead a pure, scrupulous life. Overcoming personal defeats, backlash, critici

  नको रे मना क्रोध हा खेदकारी। नको रे मना काम नाना विकारी॥ नको रे मना सर्वदा अंगिकारू। नको रे मना मत्सरु दंभ भारु ॥६॥ Our mind is always trapped in the vicious circle of desires, wants and emotions. Like some slow poison they gradually erode our mind from the within. The never ending chase and expectations from the world do not let us be happy and content. It fuels so much dissatisfaction and angst (KRODH) in us that we stop thinking rationally and become self centered. Becoming slaves to such emotions and desires (KAAM) always results in regret (KHED) but by the time we understand this, it is too late for any damage control.  We have become so obstinate that when things do not go our way or if we fail to get what we want, instead of engaging in introspection and practicing patience we get angry over the situation. Inability to accept the outcome as it is, we succumb to depression, heartbreaks and mental ailments. So much angst in day to day life makes us blind to the rest of the worl

मना पापसंकल्प सोडूनि द्यावा। मना सत्यसंकल्प जीवीं धरावा॥ मना कल्पना ते नको वीषयांची। विकारे घडे हो जनी सर्व ची ची ॥५॥ Why do we do things that we do? What inspires us to act in a certain way? The answer is, our intent, the purpose, the mindset instructs our mind, intellect and body to behave or act in a certain way. We all know that o ur mind is a complex entity with unlimited power and unharnessed potential. It is also a BAHURUPI, having multiple forms. When we are going through an emotional turmoil it becomes sensitive but when we are going through a tough time, it becomes rock solid. How does our mind manage this transition? The answer is because of the intent - SANKALP . In any sport, in addition to playing a better game, the opponents are also trying to outmaneuver each other on the mental level. It is because, once the game is lost in the mind, losing it on the court remains a mere formality. Such is the power of Sankalp, intent, a powerful force which convinces our mind to go o

मना वासना दुष्ट कामा न ये रे। मना सर्वथा पापबुद्धी नको रे॥ मना सर्वथा नीति सोडूं नको हो। मना अंतरीं सार वीचार राहो ॥४॥ In the above four lines, Samarth Ramdas exudes his profound understanding of human psychology. Very effortlessly he explains the deep connection between the mind, intellect, body and karma. Once this is evident then it is impossible to consider the above in isolation from each other. Because they are complexly intertwined they affect each other all through our existence. If we ever consciously pay attention to the thoughts arising in our mind, we will be aghast by their negativity. Ignoring such thoughts as seemingly harmless only emboldens the mind further and these thoughts become more frequent. Soon, our thoughts come out as our words and then our actions. That’s when we realize the full impact of the subtle yet powerful control of our mind over everything. Unfortunately by then it is too late for any kind of damage control. Hindus believe that the divine superpower

  प्रभाते मनी राम चिंतीत जावा। पुढे वैखरी राम आधी वदावा॥ सदाचार हा थोर सांडूं नये तो। जनीं तोचि तो मानवी धन्य होतो ॥३॥ Each new day is a fresh start. Samarth Ramdas calls this beginning as PRABHAT . Even though it literally means dawn, in this verse it has multiple interpretations. Dawn is the time when night has just ended and a new day is breaking. There is less visibility and the whole atmosphere is charged with positivity and freshness. As the day gradually progresses, everything becomes brighter and clearer. Metaphorically, this can also be considered as the moment of self realization when the seeker decides to turn a new leaf and abandon his old self. Samarth Ramdas says that at this juncture a seeker should first think of Lord Ram. Hinduism considers Lord Ram as PURUSHOTTAM meaning the ideal man. When the targets are high, we try even harder to accomplish them. Mediating on the life and deeds of Ram (perfection personified) will help us in aligning our own thoughts, words and ac

  मना सज्जना भक्तिपंथेचि जावें। तरी श्रीहरी पाविजेतो स्वभावें॥ जनीं निंद्य तें सर्व सोडूनि द्यावें। जनीं वंद्य ते सर्व भावे करावे ॥२॥ After the first mangal-charan ( मंगल चरण) initial shlok, the actual Manache shlok (also called Manobodh, मनोबोध) start from here. From the word go, Samarth Ramdas begins talking to one’s mind. Being a seasoned psychologist in his own right, he addresses the mind as SAJJAN (righteous). Our mind is ever elusive. It can not be pointed to any specific location within our body and yet rules our entire physical existence. If not honed correctly, it  can act as a deal breaker in our endeavor to excel in life.  With regular physical exercise it is possible to transform our physical shape. But in order to mold our mental capacities, it takes a lot of hard work. We live in a complex world riddled with insecurities, addictions and falsehood. These not only affect our physical health but also make a dent in our mental wellbeing.  In order to safeguard the sanctity o