61. भक्तहार्दतमोभेत्ता Bhakta-hārda-tamo-bhettā

One who cut asunder the darkness in the hearts of devotees

Lord Kṛṣṇa speaks of the guṇa of tamas as follows: “O Bharata prince! Know tamas born of ignorance, to be delusive for all embodied beings; it binds them through the tendencies of inadvertence, sloth and sleepiness.”¹⁶⁰ He further says that the fruit of activity driven by this tamas, which is inevitably adhārmic, is only ignorance.¹⁶¹ Thus, this tamas which is born of ignorance begets only adharma that in turn leads to further sinking into ignorance. Tamas is therefore perilous, for it only drives one into lower births and hence, greater suffering.

This guṇa of tamas is resident in the mind and is hence referred to as hārda-tamas here. His Holiness was a bhetta, destroyer, of this hārda-tamas of His bhaktas, devotees, thus weaning them away from sloth and dullness as well as from the tendency to commit sin.

❧

The following is His Holiness’s response to the question as to what is to be done if the mind becomes tāmasika, that is dull or sleepy during meditation.

“If a person is alert, he can discern that his mind is becoming passive and dull. By sensing the onset of torpor and awakening and focussing the mind, he can deal with dullness. The japa that is being done may be intensified. If this is done, the mind will become alert. But if, in spite of effort, the mind continues to drift into the state of torpor, it is advisable to take a small break, have a walk and then recommence dhyāna. On certain occasions, the mind should not be forced to meditate. If there is tiredness, it is advisable to commence dhyāna after a break. But, if indolence is the reason for the dullness, one should force the mind to continue with meditation.”

❧

[What follows is His Holiness’s exposition on the duties of children towards parents, neglecting which will lead only to sin.]

Parents strive for the welfare of their children. They put up with innumerable sufferings and inconveniences for the sake of their offspring. So it is not surprising that the Veda declares, “Revere your mother as a god. Revere your father as a god.”¹⁶² Manu states that the mother is ten times more venerable than the father. A mother’s love for her child is intense and unconditional. In any case, it is impossible for a person to repay his debt of gratitude to either of his parents. Were he to be ungrateful to them, he would be committing a heinous sin for which there is no expiation. The scriptures speak of the duties of a son towards his parents.

When his parents are alive, he should obey them. After they have passed away, he should perform the śrāddha ceremony every year. The performance of śrāddha at least once at Gaya is deemed laudable. It is well known that money sent through money-order remains at the post-office but an equivalent amount of cash is delivered to the intended recipient. Likewise, by the power of God, what is offered by a man with faith at a properly-performed śrāddha ceremony reaches those for whom the offering is intended in a form beneficial to them, regardless of whether they dwell in the world of manes or have been reborn on the earth. The śrāddha ceremony benefits the performer too, for he obtains much puṇya and the blessings of the manes, while abstaining from performing śrāddha only brings him sin.

❧

170 62. Bhikṣukottama-rūpa-dhṛt

[The following is a teaching of His Holiness regarding a major factor that contributes to a tāmasika mind.]

Food does influence the mind. Eatables are classified as sāttvika, rājasika and tāmasika. Sāttvika food is pure and confers strength and good health; curd is an instance of a sāttvika product. Rājasika food stimulates desire and anger; an example is a pungent item. Tāmasika food leads to sloth, sleepiness, etc. Putrid food and ort are instances of tāmasika eatables. The mentality of the cook and the presence of defiling factors, such as a strand of hair, also have a bearing on the purity of food. Care should be taken to consume only properly-prepared, sāttvika food.

❧