Mind-The Unravelled Mystery!

Human Mind is a mystery.

It is indeed very difficult to unravel this mystery. How does the thinking process take place? What happens when we think?How and why do we get negative thoughts? If somebody is a criminal, is it because of his/her mind? If so, should we blame that person or should we blame the mind?

Our ancestors have thought a lot about this and that is why we are told to think of good things and channelise our thoughts.

But is there a link between our body language and the mind?

Bharata’s Natyashastra says,

Yatho Hasta Thatho Drishti
Yatho Drishti Thatho Mana:
Yatho Mana: Thatho Bhaavo
Yatho Bhaavo Thatho Rasa:

‘The eyes follow the hand
The mind follows the eyes
The expressions reflect the state of your mind that leads to the enjoyment of the same’.

This obviously means that the body and the mind are interdependent and therefore there is a direct link between the two.

If the body language is positive, our thinking is healthy.

If the mind is free from negative thoughts, we look positive and our face glows.
Kannadasan sang ‘Manam oru Kurangu’(Mind is a monkey).

As per the principle of Transcendental meditation, our mind is like a river and the thoughts are like ripples. In fact, Zen Buddhism also follows the same principle.

Saint Thyagaraja-who according to me was a great thinker- often spoke about the mind.

In his Malayamarutam kriti, ‘Manasa Etulo’, he asks ‘Oh mind! Why do you refuse to listen to me’?

In another Kriti in Abhogi, he says, ‘What is the use if we do not even know to control our mind?’(Manasu Nilpa Sakthi Lekhapothe).

He talks about how smart and crazy the mind is in ‘Manasa Mana Saamarthiyamemi’(Ragam-Vardhini) where he also quotes examples from Ramayana and talks about the minds of Kaikeyi-who was very fond of Rama until her friend sowed poisonous seeds in her mind- and Sugreeva-who was so selfish that he forgot the quid pro quo agreement with Rama after regaining Kishkinta.

In that blissful Sankarabharanam Kriti, ‘Manasu Swadheenamai’,he says ‘if one conquers the mind, does he need anything else in this world? Is it not the ultimate?’

His mind was so pure that he had the audacity to ask Rama to understand his mind,his innermost yearning.
The Kriti is ‘Manasuloni Marmamunu Telusuko’.

There is a very interesting fact about this Kriti.

As per history and authentic sources, Tyagaraja composed this in Hindolam.But some present day musicians choose to sing this composition in Varamu(Hindolam with the Chatusruti Dhaivatam) for reasons better known to them.

ILaiyaraaja, a great admirer and devotee of Saint Tyagaraja has used Tyagaraja Kritis in movies whenever possible.

Today’s rare gem is this kriti that was used in ‘Thanthu Vitten Ennai’(1991).

If Janaki’s voice infuses joy, the accompaniment of Tabla adds lustre to this composition.

The liberal sangatis strewn all over is unusual for a film song.

The pallavi and the anu pallavi have an evocative grandeur.
The short violin piece is like a pleasant drizzle.

The Charanam throbs with joy with smooth glides.

The Swara singing that lasts two-and- half minutes leaves us mesmerised.

It is subtle and powerful.
It is enticing and is peaceful.
It is a Rhapsody but is assiduous.
It disturbs us and it makes us calm.
It is magnificent and is simple.
It is immaculate…

…just like the human mind!