Cultural Activity is For Taming the Mind

By H H Maa Purnananda

“Arurukshormuneryogam Karm Kaaranamuchchyatey; Yogaaroodhasya Tasyaiv Shamah Kaaranamuchchyatey.” - (Sreemad Bhagawad Geeta – 6/3)

Activity is signature of life. Every being is active, less, more or over active! All living organisms have motion. Most of the plant kingdom and animal kingdom have motion and sensation. It is the special privilege that human beings have the capacity of motion, sensation and thinking as well. So, it is imperative that humans make the best of their special ability to think.

Unfortunately, man remains trapped in motion and sensation for most of his lifetime! Little does he use his special ability usefully, constructively and intelligently for the purpose of self-improvement and elevation! Unless he restricts his motions (reactive and aggressive) to necessary ones only, he suffers from commotion. Unless he refrains from unnecessary sensations (sensuality) and acts sensitively within limits, he suffers from nonsense. Until these two stages at the physical and mental levels are controlled wisely and implemented usefully, the third and most important faculty, which is the thinking ability, remains mostly unavailable.

Cultural activities play the most important role in management and mentoring the mind for cultivating first and second abilities mentioned above, that are motion and sensation respectively, in desirable direction. Otherwise, an untamed mind runs after aggression and sensuality, causing downfall of the individual. Such an unruly and untamed mind is not befitting a human for sure. Humans as we are we must exercise certain discipline and decorum, to suit our human birth. We are supposed to have inculcated superior abilities of discrimination and decisiveness than our counter parts in the creation.

We need proper understanding to discriminate between that which suits our desires and that which is desirable and beneficial for all. If the ability to discriminate itself is based on misunderstanding, then the decisions would all go in undesirable direction, bringing frustrations and failures! On the wrong track, the next adversity faced by the individual would be breaking all disciplines in arrogance and complexes. Once a human breaks certain social norms and Spiritual disciplines, he loses the decorum of being a human. His thinking would then be motivated by self-arrogation, his mind will be contaminated by malice and he would suffer decay and disease earlier than expected.

All the above could be avoided by making ourselves cultured and civilised. Desirable cultural activities practiced right from school days create a firm foundation for the growing child and would help to direct the child’s mind towards higher human values, such as friendliness, compassion, humility, forbearance, satisfaction, focus of mind, steady-mindedness, faith and so on.

Recently, our two blessed children Ananta and Ananya, who have been getting trained right from their childhood, for the Bharatnaatyam and the Kathak forms of Bhaarateeya classical dance respectively, offered their renderings as Rajaupchar after Sree Gaayatri Maha Mantra Yagnya at Naimishaaranya, one of the holiest Teerth-s. Cultural activities are to be uncompromised part of our upbringing, for, they are supposed to be the means for cultivating mind for being cultured. Therefore, traditionally, all cultural activities are supposed to be directly connected with the Divine. The close association with the Divine in any form is the only means to cultivate a cultured and civilised mind; which in turn makes way for the intellect to flourish sufficiently, befitting a human birth.

Moreover, Bhajan-s and Stotra-s, that express the Divine Glory, are also great means for enhancing culture. On the auspicious day of Sree Adi Shankaracharya’s Jayanti and Sree Gurudev’s Jayanti, three more Bhajan-s were released that are popularly sung during Sreemad Bhaagwat Saptaaham-s. The first one says “Jo Naam Ka Prataap Hai Tumhe Yaad Ho Ki Na Yaad Ho”…how true! Constant remembrance of the Sacred Names of the Divine, cultivates faith. The second Bhajan says “Sree Krishna Sree Krishna Sharan Tumhara” …expression of surrender. And the third one says “Nag Ko Nath Liyo Krishnachandra Swami Ne”…..sincere surrender at the Holy Feet sublimates the ‘ego’! The essential purpose of cultural activities and the ultimate outcome of those can thus be achieved.

In the given Shlok Sree Bhagwaan says – “For attaining union with the Divine (Yog), it is advisable to perform action (Karm); after being established in union with the Divine (Yog), it is advisable to remain withdrawn from activities (Shamah).”

Proper (not uncultured) cultural activities (Karm – here, activities performed in a cultured manner) are one of the best means to unite with the Divine right from a very young age. While growing up, the mind of this cultured individual would gradually become calmer; ultimately to get well-established in inner tranquillity (Shaman). A cultured individual may thereafter willingly pursue higher Spiritual pursuits and make the best of human life.