Sajaateeya Vritti Pravah: Aligning the Mind with the Divine
Pradeep Unnikrishnan
London (U.K)
Hari Aum!
Humble prostrations at the Holy Feet of Maaji!
The online Call Talk began with our reverence at the Lotus Feet of Lord Sree Sadashiv through the recitation of Sree Shiv Panchaakshar Stotra. Maa ji mentioned that the culmination of Sree Shiv Panchaakshar Stotra should always include the Mantra "Aum Namah Shivaay." This is not just an ending, but also a powerful affirmation. The five syllables of this sacred Mantra are not merely words, but are imbued with deep meaning, and each syllable represents a significant aspect of the Divine. These syllables—'Na', 'Ma', 'Shi', 'Va', 'Ya'—when uttered with devotion, becomes a Mahamantra that holds transformative power.
The Panchaakshar Mantra of Lord Shiv ji is incredibly effective, especially when practiced during meditation. As we chant "Aum Namah Shivaay," we invoke the highest energy of Lord Shiv, the Deity Who governs the principle of dissolution (Pralaya). He is also known as the "Pralayakarta," the one who brings about dissolution.
Vritti and Pravah
In the context of meditation, two primary types of mental flows—Sajaateeya Vritti Pravah and Vijaateeya Vritti Pravah—become essential concepts to grasp.
- Pravah refers to a flow, and in the case of thought, it represents the flow of mental activity or the stream of Consciousness.
- Vritti refers to a thought or mental fluctuation, and it signifies the modifications or movements of the mind.
The mind is naturally full of thoughts, and these thoughts can either be aligned with or can go against the Higher purpose of Spiritual practice. Thus, when we meditate, we aim to direct the flow of thoughts in a way that is conducive to our Spiritual growth. If the mind is flooded with thoughts that bring us closer to the Supreme Reality, is known as Sajaateeya Vritti Pravah. If, on the other hand, the thoughts move us away from the Higher purpose, it is called Vijaateeya Vritti Pravah.
The root of all mental fluctuations, whether aligned with the Divine or not, is the thought of the self—Aham Vritti (the sense of "i"). It is this thought of individuality, the "i" thought, that gives rise to all other thoughts in the mind. As the great Vedantic sages have pointed out, this thought is the foundation of Idam Vritti (thoughts of everything other than the self). In deep sleep, the Aham Vritti disappears, and consequently, the world of multiplicity, the Idam Vritti, also ceases to exist.
Thus, the mind’s fluctuations begin with Aham Vritti, which then branches out into Idam Vritti. This is the root cause of all distractions during meditation. The key, therefore, lies in dissolving the Aham Vritti to reach a state where the mind no longer identifies with the individual ego, but merges with the Universal Consciousness.
Maaji highlighted that Saajateeya Vritti Pravah, refers to thoughts, words, and actions that are aligned with the Higher purpose—the pursuit of Spiritual enlightenment. Sajaateeya means "of the same type," and thus Sajaateeya Vritti Pravah is the flow of thoughts that lead us closer to our True Self, the Ultimate Truth, the Supreme Reality.
To understand Sajaateeya Vritti Pravah, consider the example of a person meditating on Lord Shiv ji. The thoughts, words, and actions associated with this practice—such as focusing on Lord Shiv ji's name, contemplating upon His Form, and engaging in selfless acts—are all Sajaateeya. These actions and thoughts are in harmony with the higher goal of realizing one's true self, which is inseparable from the Supreme Consciousness of Lord Shiv ji.
On the contrary, Vijaateeya Vritti Pravah refers to thoughts, words, and actions that are contrary to the pursuit of Spiritual realization. The term Vijateeya means "of a different type," and thus, Vijaateeya Vritti Pravah leads the mind away from the Divine, entangling it in worldly desires, distractions, and attachments.
For instance, when a seeker meditates, but the mind keeps drifting toward worldly concerns, desires, and pleasures, is a case of Vijaateeya Vritti Pravah. These thoughts and distractions pull the mind away from its focus on the Divine, making it difficult to achieve stillness and concentration.
In the life of a seeker, the challenge is to maintain a continuous flow of Sajaateeya Vritti Pravah, aligning all thoughts, words, and actions with the pursuit of the Divine. If a seeker meditates with a focused mind on Lord Shiv ji, engaging in selfless actions, and continuously chanting the mantra Om Namah Shivaay, they are cultivating Sajaateeya Vritti.
However, the mind is easily pulled into the flow of Vijaateeya Vritti, leading to distractions and a lack of focus. To counteract this, a seeker must practice mindfulness, keeping the mind fixed on the Divine and rejecting all thoughts that lead away from the Higher goal.
Story from the Sreemad Bhaagwatam: The Story of Ajaamil
In the context of the call talk, Maaji gave us an inspiring story from Sreemad Bhaagwatam, which illustrates the power of Sajaateeya Vritti Pravah. It is the story of Ajaamil, a man who, despite his past misdeeds, found redemption through the power of the Divine name.
Ajaamil was a man who had fallen into sinful ways, abandoning his family and engaging in worldly pleasures. However, at the time of his death, he called out the name of his youngest son, Narayana, out of attachment. But unknown to him, the name he uttered was the name of Lord Vishnu ji. This invocation of the Divine name saved him from the clutches of Yamraaj, the God of death, as Lord Vishnu ji’s messengers arrived first to protect him.
The key takeaway from this story is the transformative power of Sajaateeya Vritti. Ajaamil, despite his past, was saved due to the utterance of the Divine name, showing that even a single moment of Sajaateeya Vritti can lead to liberation. This story highlights the importance of aligning our thoughts with the Divine, as this process channels the mind towards the highest state of being.
To lead a life of Spiritual growth, it is crucial for a seeker to cultivate the flow of Sajaateeya Vritti Pravah. This can be achieved through continuous practice of Mantra chanting, meditation, selfless actions, and a disciplined lifestyle. The key is to reject the distractions of the mind and direct all thoughts, words, and deeds towards the realization of the Divine.
As we approach the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivraatri, let us make a conscious effort to meditate on Lord Shiv ji, focusing on His Divine attributes, and staying aligned with the flow of Sajaateeya Vritti Pravah. Through this practice, we can transcend the ego and experience the Supreme Reality, ultimately realizing our oneness with the Divine.
May Lord Shiv ji bless us with the strength to stay on the path of Righteousness and Spiritual growth.
Om Namah Shivaay!
Surrendering at The Holy Feet of Maa ji,
Seeking forgiveness and Your blessings,
Hari Aum!