मन: प्रसाद: सौम्यत्वं मौनमात्मविनिग्रह: | भावसंशुद्धिरित्येतत्तपो मानसमुच्यते || 16 || |
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Commentary
This verse emphasizes the tapas or austerity of the mind. It highlights the following aspects:
Manah prasadaḥ: Serenity of mind – This refers to maintaining a calm and peaceful state of mind. It involves cultivating inner tranquility, free from agitation, restlessness, and negative emotions. Serenity of mind allows for clarity, focus, and a balanced perspective.
Saumyatvam: Gentleness – This pertains to cultivating a gentle and compassionate disposition. It involves being kind, considerate, and empathetic towards oneself and others. Gentleness allows for harmonious interactions and fosters a sense of understanding and unity.
Maunam: Silence – This involves practicing periods of silence, both externally and internally. External silence implies refraining from unnecessary speech, while internal silence involves quieting the incessant chatter of the mind. By embracing silence, one can cultivate a deeper sense of introspection, self-awareness, and receptivity to higher truths.
Atma-vinigrahaḥ: Self-control – This refers to exercising self-discipline and restraint over one’s thoughts, emotions, and actions. It involves overcoming impulsive tendencies, desires, and attachments. Self-control allows for inner strength, balance, and the ability to make conscious choices aligned with one’s higher values.
Bhāva-samshuddhiḥ: Purity of thought – This pertains to cultivating pure and virtuous thoughts. It involves cultivating positive qualities such as love, compassion, gratitude, and forgiveness. Purity of thought leads to mental clarity, moral integrity, and spiritual growth.
The practice of tapas or austerity of the mind involves cultivating these qualities to purify and discipline the mind. By developing serenity, gentleness, self-control, silence, and purity of thought, individuals can attain mental clarity, emotional balance, and spiritual evolution. It allows for inner transformation, leading to greater self-awareness, wisdom, and a deeper connection with the divine.