Control of our mind is of paramount importance to one who seeks peace and godliness. There are numerous verses of the Vedas and other shastras that identify with the powerful mind and how it should be in our control so as to keep away from any tendency to sin.
In this section, we provide verses that identify with the mind, how to control the mind, and how to pray for the control of the Mind. These selected verses, from various scriptures, provide a glimpse into the importance of the mind in our journey to enlightenment and contentment. A mind that is agitated cannot settle to enjoy any moment of life at the present time during its agitation and thus, life goes by without truly enjoying the moments of life because we are focused on the agitations of the mind.
The scriptures also recognize that we can (and ought to) control our mind for our own human existence and enjoyment. The scriptures also recognize that there are times when depression and chronic mental fatigue step in and thus, verses like those from the Manavartan Sootram are used in mental therapy, to release mental stress, and to practice mental focus. The Manavartan sootram is an internal conversation with the mind. The verses of the Shivasankalpam Suktam are used to analyze the powers of the mind and to calm and soothe the mind.
Please see the following sections:
| Section 1 | Various verses of and for the mind from various sources |
| Section 2 | The Shivasankalpam Suktam for the protection of the mind |
| Section 3 | The Manavartana Sootram for mental therapy and fatigue |
Various verses on and for the Mind
The Yoga-Vashishtha says that the mind can become like a cosmic wave:
मनो भवति भूतात्मा तरंग इव वारिधेः।
तेनेयमिन्द्रजलाश्रीः जगति प्रवितन्यते ॥
Mano bhavati bhootaatmaa
taranga iva vaaridheh.
Teneyam-indra-jalaashreeh
jaagati pravitan-yate.1
The mind can become like the cosmic being just like a wave that rises from the ocean. And, with that same theory, the illusion of worldly splendor is spread everwhere.
मनो the mind, wiht mind भवति happen, become भूतात्मा individual soul, soul of all, purified soul (also body, conflict) तरंग tide, wave इव like वारिधेः rivers, ocean, water तेन thus, therefore इयत् of such extent इंद्रजल illusion अश्रीः corner, angle, edge जगतः entire world प्रवितत spread out अन्यत् other, elsewhere
This Atharva Veda verse dialogues with the mind:
परोડपेहि मनस्पाप किमशस्तानि शंससि।
परेहि न त्वा कामये वृक्षां वनानि सं चर गृहेषु गोषु मे मनः॥
Paro-apehi manaspaapa
kim-ashastaani shamsasi.
Parehi na tvaa kaamaye vrikshaam
vanaani sam chara griheṣhu goṣhu me manah.2
O Sins of the mind, get away! Go far away, any evil that afflicts the mind. Why do you bring undesirable (suggestions to my mind)? Let sins stay away into the jungle. May my mind will focus on the positive thoughts of home and possessions.
पुरस front, first अपेही expel, get out मनस् mind पाप evil, sin किम् which, what अशस्त् unwelcome, undesirable शंस spell, curse (can also be blessing) असि नाइफ, sword पर other एहि come near न no, not त्वा you कामये desirable, agreeable वृक्षाम् trees वनानि forest सं for our benefit चर moving, wandering गृहेषु homes, at home गोषु cattle/possession मे my मनः mind
This verse from the Vairagya Shatakam dialogues with the mind:
परिभ्रमसि किं मुधा क्वचन चित्त विश्राम्यतां
स्वयं भवति यद्यथा भवति तत्तथा नान्यथा ।
अतीतमननुस्मरन्नपि च भाव्यसंकल्पयन्
नतर्कितसमागमाननुभवामि भोगानहम् ॥
Paribhramasi kim mudhaa kachan chitta vishvaam-yataam
Svayam bhavati yadyathaa bhavati tatathaa naanyathaa.
Ateeta-mananu-smaran-api cha bhaavya-sankalpayan
Natarki-tasmaagaman-anubhavaami bhogaanaham.3
Why do you wander around, Oh Mind? Where and on what thought can you focus and become calm and still? Whatever is happening, that is what will happen, and not otherwise, whether you are agitated or not. With such calmness and not spending time debating the indulgence of past memories and future desires will we truly enjoy real happiness and contentment.
परिभ्रम wandering, going about असि as किम् why मुधा mind क्व where क्वचन somewhere चित्त mind विश्रम् relax, rest विश्राम्यताम् for rest स्वयम् yourself यद्यथा whatever भवति happens तत्तथा that thus नान्यथा not otherwise अतीत past मननुस्मरन्नपि mental memories recalled च and भाव्य future संकल्पयन् desiring नतर्कित without debating समागमान् coming on their own अनुभवामि experience भोगान् enjoyments अहम् I
