T Ram Sewak

BODH

After listing the afflictions of the mind (manas rog), Kakabhushundiji now begins unravelling how these can be eradicated in Shri Ramcharitmanas

7.121-122. He states:

Ehi rogi. Soak biyogi

Jaaney paapi Naasparitapi

"I have mentioned only a few maladies of the mind. Although everyone suffers from them, only a few are aware of them. While these diminish to some extent when detected, they are not entirely eradicated."

Just as with physical diseases, where diagnosis is the first step before treatment and recovery, Kakabhushundiji emphasises awareness (bodh) of the afflictions of the mind before they can be worked upon and eradicated. The process is long-drawn. The mantra is - don't fight the affliction, first just become aware of it!

Awareness of these manas rog is about becoming conscious, becoming awake to what is happening within. It's about witnessing the transformation from an unconscious living to non-dual awareness.

Awareness is simply an internal state, free from any subjectivity or objectivity. It begins with pausing and noticing the eruption of mental afflictions such as trishna (craving), krodh (anger), etc., while remaining awake so that the mind no longer merges with them. You are merely observing, you are outside, just trying to comprehend.

Awareness increases when you notice the afflictions the moment they manifest through the body in their earliest and smallest form. Afterwards, one must cultivate awareness of the pleasant afflictions, such as joy, and create a separation between "me" and "my affliction". This leads to attaining the state that Shri Krishna explains in Gita 5.8-9. HE states that a perfect person lives, performing all activities, convinced that "I do nothing at all"; and that it is only the senses that move among the sense objects.

It is the profound presence of this Bodh that gradually dissolves the maladies of the mind, helping transcend the dualities of life and attain a calm and balanced state of mind. The journey to Buddhatva (Buddhahood)

starts with Bodh! / DAILY WORLD /

The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas. He can be occasionally reached at ramam.namami@gmail.com