मात्रास्पर्शास्तु कौन्तेय शीतोष्णसुखदु:खदा: | आगमापायिनोऽनित्यास्तांस्तितिक्षस्व भारत || 14 || |
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“O Son of Kunti, the ideas of heat and cold, pleasure and pain, are produced by the contacts of the senses with their objects. Such ideas are limited by a beginning and an end. They are transitory O Arjuna, bear them with patience!”
Commentary
The mind plays a crucial role in perception. It receives sensory information, interprets it, and forms conscious awareness. This process can then lead to the creation of concepts and the generation of emotional responses, such as feelings of pleasure or displeasure.
For example, when your hand touches an ice cube, the sensation of coldness is transmitted through sensory nerves to the brain. There, the mind interprets the signals, creating the perception of “coldness.” This perception can then trigger an emotional response, such as a feeling of dislike.
However, perception is not a passive process. Our past experiences, expectations, and emotional state can all influence how we interpret sensory information.
Indulging excessively in likes and dislikes can indeed strain the mind. Constantly seeking pleasure and avoiding discomfort can create a cycle of dependence on external stimuli. An ideal state cultivates a balance between addressing physical needs and developing inner resilience, Titikṣā. This allows us to experience the world without being overly swayed by fleeting sensations.