Paramacharya of SWAHA, Pt. Hardeo Persad
Sanaatan Dharma has many pathways for the attainment of spiritual perfection, which is the true purpose of this human birth. Though fraught with countless challenges and distractions, each of these pathways is sign-posted with a key factor that is designed to avoid any detour and to keep the earnest seeker on the mapped route as we steer ourselves towards the goal. This factor is the disciplined mind, that journeys successfully through the world process, and earns victory in the relay of life.
The key ingredient of the regulated, highly mastered mind, the template of the highest example for humankind to follow is personified by Shri Hanumaanji, one of the central characters of the scriptural epic, the Ramaayan. Through the various episodes of this unfolding drama that mirrors the individual’s journey through the world process, the persona of this Raamdoot, this devoted servant of Shri Raam, reflects mental discipline in its ideal form. Ever absorbed in the contemplation of Divinity, and totally surrendered to Him, Shri Hanumaanji exemplifies mastery of mountainous missions. Most clearly he delivers the message that one must acquire mastery over the senses, consolidate the faculty of discrimination and evolve to the highest state of Divine Consciousness, which in actuality is one’s true nature.
This key ingredient, combined with qualities such as the power of concentration, right action, devotion and shubh manas (the positive mind), ensures that each stage of the journey is completed. On the way, the psychological being is pierced and the limited human personality of rajas or materialism, sensuality, arrogance, egoism and greed is subdued, thus clearing the path for the reign of sattva –righteousness, piety and truth. The enlightened intellect, imprisoned within the unconscious, is freed from the environment of ignorance and consuming darkness. It then merges with spirituality, symbolic of the attainment of the state of spiritual perfection.
With continuing discipline, the torch of victory is set aflame, which gives brilliant illumination to the road ahead, the road of enlightenment. The flag of dharma is hoisted, as the chariot of righteousness journeys onward, steered by spirituality. In time, the utopian state of Raam Raajya is created within the individual.
The Monkey-Form
Iconically represented as a monkey-form, this deity of the Hindu pantheon represents the embodiment of the highest potential that the mind can achieve. Hanumaanji symbolises the mind principle, the restrained mind that achieves its goal with firmness, constancy and full surrender to the feet of His Master. His many names describe his unique attributes that steer the wheel of discipline. His strength of character is shown most vividly in the leela of Shri Raam where the Lord considered Him to be like the philosophical Dharma Rath, or the chariot of righteousness, the symbolic vehicle that helped to lead Him to success in the battle of Lanka.
Panchvaktra Hanuman
One of the clearest depictions of this symbol of the disciplined mind is found in the representation of Panchvaktra Hanuman – the five-faced one. The faces of a horse, boar, lion, eagle and monkey are all positioned together, facing skywards, north, west, south and forwards, respectively. Symbolically represented, each of these faces signifies different states of mind in the journey to perfection. According to Sage Patanjali, the characteristics of these five states are: “Kshiptam mudham vikshiptam ekaagram niruddham iti chit bhibhumayah.”
- Kshiptam: raving, wandering, restless, disturbed state of mind
- Mudham: dull, forgetful, lethargic
- Vikshiptam: oscillating, occasionally steady, easily distracted
- Ekaagram: one-pointed, tranquil, focused, concentrated
- Niruddham: restrained, controlled, regulated, highly mastered
The first three states, as outlined in the verse, can be described as lower levels of thought, which deter mental and spiritual growth, as well as self-exploration. The Ekaagram state is a positive one, nearer to inner stillness and conducive to concentration and meditation. Niruddham is that state that is totally undisturbed and purified by the flow of positive energy. This niruddha, the highest state, is the state of mind that one should strive to achieve. This is the state of mind of Hanumaanji, the state that earned Him the success He achieved in all His endeavours in the cause of His Master, Shri Raam. It is at this mental level of awareness that one is able to attain self-realisation.
