Vikruthi Year Raasi Palan 2010-2011

MESHAM RAASI

Stars: Ashwini, Bharani, Krithigai (1)

"Make hay when things are going haywire"

This vikruthi will be very good for all Meshamites. Brings lots of Luck and profit.

Long cherished dreams will become true. The quarrel within the family between close family members will reduce gradually and harmony prevail slowly.

Time to reap huge profits from Real estates Business and buying and selling of immovable assets.

Promotions and increments are on your way for those who are working as employees. Misunderstanding between your boss and subordinates will reduce considerably sooner.

Shares and stocks will give you good profits throughout the year.

Harmony between couples will be good throughout this year of Vikruthi.

Most of you might either buy a house or renew the existing one. Also, the possibility of buying an movable assets such as cars.

Students will have good year.

Lucky number for this year: 9

Lucky colour for this year : Red

Lucky stone for this year : Any stone of red colours.

God and Simple pariharam : Go to Murugan temple on Tuesdays. And Anjaneya temple on Thursdays.

Odds against you: Take care be cautious while you are traveling. Stomach related problems and allergy may trouble you few times.

Happy periods: Long distance travel after second week of May. Unemployed will get a decent job after May. During October-November, chances of buying a property is very much on the cards.

Precautions: Between April – May, please be patient and polite in your office. Last week of july to second week of August, health may give suffer. During December 2010, quarrel may arise between brothers.
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RISHABA RAASI

Krithigai (2-4 padam), Rohini, Mirugaseersham (1 and 2 padam)


"Old is gold but you need to invest for the future".


This vikruthi will be pretty good for all Rishabamites.

Brings bucketful of Luck and profit especially till June. Make judicious decision and invest properly after taking better advise from professionals and consultant. Apportion a good amount for insurance esp. medical insurance otherwise you may loose all the good returns in medicine and hospital.


Saturn (Sani) will also bring more good news to you and family members. Employees need to be careful in office esp. with superiors.


Petty quarrels exist between couple. Don’t prolong arguments which may create bigger gap between them.


Few long desired small dreams will become a reality. Buying of immovable property during first 3-4 months are very much on the cards.


Students will have a good year. Chances for few to study abroad.


Lucky number for this year: 6


Lucky colour for this year : White


Lucky stone for this year : Any stone of light colours.


God and Simple pariharam : Go to nearest Ambal temple on Fridays.


Odds against you: Take care and don’t argue in your office. Backache and headache will give more trouble than any other pains. Legal problem may arise for few.


Happy periods: Many of you will buy a immovable property probably in December or January 2011. Marriages are on the cards for few. Long distance travel after second week of May. Students can enjoy life. Overseas travel is a very near possibility for those who are interested.


Precautions: Between August – September, few may need to go for operation. Better take precautionary measures for medical expenses. Don’t do anything illegal. Avoid legal issues as much as possible.

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MITHUNA RAASI

Mirugaseersham (3,4 padam), Thiruvathirai, Punarpoosam(1-3 padam)


"Need to live as mean as a miser."

Diseases come and go as frequent as power-cuts during summer, but expenses stays as steady as bribe for the entire year of Vikruthi.


Unemployed may get a suitable placement within the first 2 months of the Tamil new year Vikruthi. Even promotion, nice increments can be expected. Transfers are being received by mithunamite as expected.

Not a good year for new business. Avoid speculation business. Avoid any new investment. Keep distance from loans. (don’t give or don’t take loans).


Be reserved in office. Don’t openout with colleagues.


Family front will be as smooth as you would normally expect. Very few problems within the family can keep you cool throughout the year.


Housewives and females in the family should take precautionary measure as they are prone to diseases and aches.


Marriage will happen for the eligible bachelors.


Students should put lot of effort even for an average result. To fare better, you need to put extra effort atleast more than 100% of what you are putting presently.


Avoid investment. If required go for safe bets like mutual funds, SIPs etc.


Lucky number for this year: 5


Lucky colour for this year : Green


Lucky stone for this year : Any stone of light Green colours.


God and Simple pariharam : Go to nearest Perumal koil (Vishnu temple) on Fridays.


Odds against you: Body aches, operations are on the cards. Avoid overseas travels as much as possible. Keep away from arguments. Finance is a major problem.


Happy periods: Unemployed will get a job before June. Marriages will happen for many many mithunamites after June. Family in Harmony throughout the year.


Precautions: Need to live as mean as a miser. Make necessary arrangements for health related problems and expenses. Avoid overseas travels.

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KADAKA RAASI

Punarpoosam(4), Poosam, Ayilyam


Long pending legal case over wealth or Immovable property will come to an end in your favour.


Happiness and sorrow will blend equally throughout the year as day and night.


Avoid arguments with anyone (including relatives and friends and colleagues as well.


If you wish to make an invements either in immovable or movable property, think and explore the possibility of investing in your better-half’s name.


No big problems in family front for both the couple and the child as well.


Health is generally robust with very few smalltime diseases.


Employees will have a good time in the office and the promotion and increments and also the transfers are all come as you wish.


Generally a good year ahead with small, small manageable issues arise frequently.


Female will have a good time and even few may start a small home venture for timepass.


Students will have an ordinary year and the year will pass without much problems.


Travel will fetch you benefits.


Happy religious travels during summer holidays are very much on the cards.If possible, go to thirupathi once during summer with the family.


Unmarried need to put lots of effort to get married. Same case for the unemployed also.


Lucky number for this year: No special lucky numbers, but avoid 8.


Lucky colour for this year : Yellow.


Lucky stone for this year : Any stone of Yellow colour.


God and Simple pariharam : Go to nearest Temple on Tuesdays and pray Durga devi with lighting in a lemon skin.


Odds against you: Marriages and employment are not as easy as other rasis. Need to try hard.


Happy periods: Apart from few problems, generally the whole year is happy one. A Bigtime Fortune may come on your way. Travelling for religious purposes will bring cheers and happiness in family.


Precautions: Do not waste the fortune you are going to gain. Invest properly. Preferably buy property in your wife’s name. You’re your cool in office as always you does.

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SIMHA RAASI

Maham, Pooram, Uthiram (1)


Need to take care of your health particularly female.


Diseases and aches come frequently. Mosquitoes are your main villain. Also body aches will give lots of troubles this year.


Female will have more problems than male as everyone of female born in simha rasi will have either one or two female related body problems.


Harmony prevails in family provided you need to avoid arguments as much as possible, because arguments will lead into confrontation and anger which will result in disharmony and sorrow. It also leads into health related problems.


Unemployed will definitely find a suitable placement before August if they search using all their energy and resources. Same applied for marriage too.


Few problems arise in the office. Keep avoiding arguments as told before for family.


Invest wisely. Do not overstretch. Do not be over-ambitious. Speculation will fetch you profit if you speculate within your limits.


Avoid legal route if you solve the problem on your own or with the help of well wishers.


Property can be bought during first half of this Vikruthi Year.


Many of you may even go for luxury things.


Students should put lot of effort even for an average result. To fare better, you need to put extra effort atleast more than 100% of what you are putting presently.


Lucky number for this year: 3 and 5


Lucky colour for this year : Light red.


Lucky stone for this year : Any stone of light Red or yellowish-red colours


God and Simple pariharam : Go to shiva temple. Must go to shiva temple during Pradhosham. Also, light a lamp for nandhi bhagwan whenever you visit a shiva temple.


Odds against you: Body aches, woman related problems.


Happy periods: Jobs and marriages will happen before August but need to use all resources. June. Family in Harmony throughout the year.


Precautions: Avoid arguments. Do not get angry. Anger will spoil your health.

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KANNI RAASI

Uthiram (2 to 4 padams), Hastham, Chithirai (1 to2 Padams)


This vikruthi may not be good for Kanni atleast in the middle viz., between Mid July to first week of November.
Sani also not doing much favour to you.

Health is a major problem. Take care of you health. Avoid Alchohol. Urinary and heart disease may force few people bankrupt. Be prepared and cautious.


If you are the head of the family, please take medical insurance atleast for a couple of lakhs as it can help you keep your hard earned savings intact for your extended family.


Money flow also will not be in excess of needs. Hence, plan accordingly. Expenses will be little bit more than the income. Think and Pray Goddess Lakshmi (alongwith Maha Vishnu) and Kubera every day atleast for a second or two which may help you to increase the inflow atleast equal to the outflow of money.


Make hay when things are going haywire: Till July, the period is little bit better. Plan and save for the rest of the period.


Keep away from speculation as much as possible.


Play safe game in real estate and own business. Do not venture into Loan business. Chances of loosing money is imminent.


Family harmony will be good provided you need not carry the headache (office) to home.


Keep patience in the office. Do not argue. Things will surely fall in your favour if you keep patience.


For Woman, the whole year may be a testing period. Health related problems galore. Eat on time every time every day. Stomach related problems are very much on the cards. Eat proper food and do not over eat.


Students will have an ordinary year. Pray Saraswathi and recite Hayagriva Stotram on a daily basis.


Unmarried and unemployed, the chances of success is proportionate to your effort.


Lucky number for this year: 5


Lucky colour for this year : Blue


Lucky stone for this year : Any stone of Blue colours.


God and Simple pariharam : Go to Mahavishnu temple on Fridays. Pray Vishnu and Lakshmi on Fridays.


Odds against you: Saturn (Sani) is not in your favour. The year is also not good. Health may deteriorate. Finance too will be a problem.


Happy periods: From April till First week of July. From November to Mid Feb.


Precautions: Spend Judiciously. Must take medical insurance atleast for a couple of lakhs, if you happen to be the head of the family. Students and female need to take the advise written on the top.

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THULA RAASI

Chithirai (3-4), Swathi, Visakam (1-3)


A penny saved is a penny Earned.


This vikruthi will be decently good for Thulam. Brings more money but also expenses.

Long cherished dreams will become true. Possibility of buying a property like land and building is very much on the cards esp first half of the year Vikruthi.


The quarrel within the family between close family members will reduce phenomenally and harmony prevail throughout the year.


Time to reap huge profits from Real estates Business and buying and selling of immovable assets.


Promotions are very much on the cards. Think before asking for a request transfer.


Money will flow but expense too mount. Try to save as much as possible.. Harmony between couples will be good throughout this year of Vikruthi.


Most of you might either buy a house or renew the existing one. Also, the possibility of buying an movable assets such as cars are very much within your reach..


Students will have good year. Put little bit extra effort and you can create records.


Female will have a pleasant year. Health front, you may face some problems such as headaches and few blood related problems.


A good year for new business. Engage in speculation with little caution.


Office goers generally have a good period atleast for first half and the last 2 months of this Vikruthi year.


Marriage will happen for the eligible bachelors.


Students should put lot of effort even for an average result. To fare better, you need to put extra effort atleast more than 100% of what you are putting presently.


Lucky number for this year: 5


Lucky colour for this year : Orange


Lucky stone for this year : Any stone of red or light red or orange colours.


God and Simple pariharam : Go to Murugan temple on Tuesdays. And Anjaneya temple on Thursdays.


Odds against you: Not much worry. Female need to take care of their health. Expense mount.


Happy periods: Jobs and marriages will happen before August Family in Harmony throughout the year. Save for the future.


Precautions: Save for the second half of year Vikruthi.

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VRICHIKA RAASI

Visakam(4), Anusham, Kettai


A good year ahead.


This vikruthi will be Very good for people born on this Viruchiga Raasi.

Overseas travel is very much in your horizon. Students who wish to study overseas can fulfill their dreams without much difficulty.


Long cherished dreams of buying a property or renewing an existing one will become true without much fuss.


The quarrel within the family and between close family members will reduce phenomenally and harmony will appear slowly but steadily.


Time to reap huge profits from Real estates Business and buying and selling of immovable assets. Also, business will flourish never before.


Lots of pleasant surprises are in store for female. Very good period for all the housewives. Plenty of money and full of happiness. Enjoy life.


Promotions are very much on the cards. Even transfers will do good.


Students will have good time.


Marriage and employment will not be a problem. It will happen before November.


Overseas travel or long and happy journey available for every one of you. Enjoy and live happily.


Lucky number for this year: 2 and 3


Lucky colour for this year : White


Lucky stone for this year : Diamond.


God and Simple pariharam : Go to Murugan temple on Tuesdays.


Odds against you: Nothing much. Just be patient when things are going out of your control.


Happy periods: Throughout the year. Jobs and marriages will happen before November. Family in Harmony throughout the year. Pleasant journey.


Precautions: Save for the your future.

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DHANUR RAASI

Moolam, Pooradam, Uthiradam (1)


This vikruthi will be pretty ordinary or you.


Health is a major concern. Take care of you health. Stomach problems like ulcers are very much a possibility for male and female related disease for women.

Misunderstanding between couple happens frequently and sexual life may get affected for a few.


Students will have an ordinary year. Work hard to score good marks. Need to rehearse plenty of time otherwise chances of forgetting important points in the exams are very much a possibility.


Money flow will not be as expected whereas expense will be much more than you expect. May become a debtor as expense mounts month after month. Think and Pray Goddess Lakshmi (alongwith Maha Vishnu) and Kubera every day atleast for a second or two which may help you to increase the inflow atleast equal to the outflow of money.


Will have lots of confusion and problems in the office.


Businessman will have many problems. Avoid giving credit to the customers.


Take precaution before investing esp. in real estate otherwise your entire money will be lost.


Shares and stocks will not give profits to you.


Be patient till November 4th. Then things will come to normalcy.


Unmarried and unemployed, the chances of success may not be proportionate to your effort. Will find it difficult till November.


Lucky number for this year: 1


Lucky colour for this year : Red and orange.


Lucky stone for this year : Any stone of reddish or orange colours.


God and Simple pariharam : Go to Mahavishnu temple and pray Vishnu and lakshmi on Fridays. Kubera will bring luck and help you manage your expenses.


Odds against you: The year is not good. Quarrels in the family will give lots of headaches. Finance too will be a problem. Plenty of problems in office.


Happy periods: Only after November 4th, you can breath fresh air.


Precautions: Avoid arguing with family members and wife or husband. Keep cool in office. Be polite to superiors. Do not venture into new business.

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MAGARAM RAASI

Uthiradam (2-4), Thiruvonam, Avittam (1-2)


An excellent year ahead. Full of sweet memories throughout Vikruthi. Enjoy your life utmost.


Sani and guru will bring luck from both ends.


Finance will be very good. Fortunes are on your way.


Excellent period to buy new property. Invest maximum possible.


Health will be excellent.


Harmony in family. Sexual life will be at its supreme. Birth of a new born will increase the happiness to the maximum.


Marriage will definitely happen to every one of you who are eagerly waiting for it.


Unemployed will get employment with an excellent salary which they never ever dreamt.


Female will enjoy their life never before.


No shortage of happiness for anyone.


Life of Employees will improve phenomenally.


Business man…. O man, you can double your turnover and profits. Right time for expanding your business. Do lot of dharma.


Go to the nearest temple regularly.


Lucky number for this year: 4, 5, 6


Lucky colour for this year : Brown


Lucky stone for this year : Any stone of light blue or white in colour


God and Simple pariharam : Go to shiva temple and worship Bairavar as Bariavar is the superior to Sani.


Odds against you: Nothing. Stay on your legs.


Happy periods: Throughout the year.


Precautions: Keep your cool. Do not argue unnecessarily or give advice unsolicited.

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KUMBAM RAASI

Avittam (3-4), Sadayam, Pooratadhi (1-3)


Vikruthi….It’s a mixed year for People of Kumbham.


A good year for female but not for students.


A good year for unmarried but not so good for unemployed.


A good year for employees but a pretty ordinary one for employers and businessman.


Family life for those who work as an employee will be a pleasant one but not so good for business man.


Increments and promotions more than you anticipate.


Businessman will find it difficult as profits will come down whereas turnover will remain same.


Finance, Shares, Speculation will bring more profits.


Students need to put lots of effort for even ordinary results.


Overseas travel will bring luck for businessman.


Marriage is almost near for the unmarried.


Unemployed are requested to join even for a lesser level job.


Buying of property is very much there but take precaution as it may lead to legal problem tomorrow.


Family harmony remain pleasant one. Good rapport exist between couple. New arrivals are expected for newly married.


Lucky number for this year: 9


Lucky colour for this year : Navy Blue, Orange.


Lucky stone for this year : Any stone of Dark Blue colours.


God and Simple pariharam : Pray Vishnu on Fridays and Guru on Thursdays. Businessman can do Ganapathy homam once in their business establishment.


Odds against you: Businessman will find a tight situation. Students will find it hard to get going. Unemployed will have a tough life.


Happy periods: Whole year is a mixed bag. Patience is the primary answer for all the problems.


Precautions: Businessman need not have to take unnecessary risks. Students need to put 200% efforts. Pray Hayagreeva and saraswathi on a daily basis. Unemployed should make their mind to settle even for lesser.

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MEENA RAASI

Pooratadhi (4), Uthiratadhi, Revathi.


This vikruthi will be Excellent for people who born on Meenam.


The whole year of Vikruthi are bundled with fortunes and Luck. Make use of it most.

Make judicious decision and invest properly after taking better advise from professionals and consultant. Apportion a good amount for insurance esp. medical insurance otherwise you may loose all the good returns in medicine and hospital.


Employees need to be careful in office esp. with superiors. Otherwise, it’s a pleasant year ahead. Good prospect for everyone of you.


Petty quarrels exist between couple but no need for panic. Small advise..Don’t prolong arguments.


Many long desired, both small and big dreams, whether buying of movable or immovable assets or overseas travel or starting a new venture or any other desire, get fulfilled in this year of Vikruthi.


Students will have a good year. Chances for few to study abroad.


Female will have an excellent year ahead. No need for worry.


Busiess will flourish and hence businessman will be happier than ever before.


Speculation and real estate business will bring windfall (profits) provided with meticulous planning .


Unmarried and unemployed will find success very easily.


Lucky number for this year: 2 or 9


Lucky colour for this year : Gray


Lucky stone for this year : Any stone of light colours.


God and Simple pariharam : Go to nearest Ambal temple on Fridays.


Odds against you: Nothing specific. If you keep cool, life is very pleasant.


Happy periods: Throughout the year. Marriages are on the cards for few. Long distance travel after second week of May. Students can enjoy life. Overseas travel is a very near possibility for those who are interested.


Precautions: Don’t do anything illegal. Avoid Arguments and unnecessary risks.

Temple Worship

Temples are the connecting points of high importance in our religion and culture. The absolute necessity of the temple worship is stressed throughout by the great saints of the religion. It is not very difficult to realize the important role they play in cultivating the spiritualism in people. It is the place for collective worship. Given these significant roles of the temples it is required to have some discipline to be followed in the temples for having the real expected out of the worship. Here are a few one can follow to set that harmony. Most of these are in general applicable to all Hindu temples though a few are specific to shaivite temples.

1. Going to the temple with a clean body. Legs and hands shall be cleaned at entering the temple.
2. Going to the temple adorned with holy symbols like the Holy Ash, rudraksham.
3. Taking something to offer to the Lord. It is an offering out of devotion. It would be nice if the offering is the one required in the worship.
4. Do not to enter the temple with foot wear.
5. Prostrating in front of the flag column (dwajastambam/kodimaram) (towards the North) on entering the temple.
6. Not to prostrate anywhere else in the temple.
7. Not to prostrate to anybody else in the temple premises.
8. Taking the permission of Vahana moorthi mentally before entering His abode.
9. Saluting the Lord Ganesha enter the Lord's abode.
10. In Moola Moorthi's abode, engage the mind in the thinking of the God. Avoid any gossip. Temple is not the place for gossiping. Can sing or chant His names loudly and sweetly if it would not disturb others. Otherwise it could be done internally without making noise.
11. The Holy ash given as the blessings should be worn saying "shivaya namaha". It should not be spilled on the ground, blown away or wasted.
12. It is normally a procedure to offer something( Dakshina ) to the priest whose whole life should be in the service of the Lord.
13. Circumambulating the Lord saluting the Goddess and the deities in the temple. The circumambulation would be done at least for three times. On special occasions like pradoshham the are special circumambulation methods like soma sUkta pradhaxiNam are followed.
14. While in the temple either the Holy five letters or any moola mantra or any praise could be chanted.
15. Before coming out of the temple go to the place of Chandeswarar and take permission for the materials which after worship are taken out of the temple as blessings. One must not take anything out in excess and things taken from the temple should be only as the mark of blessings. If nothing is taken it is the normal practice to wipe (rub) the hands together in his place.
16. Should do something in the promotion of the temple physically or materially or whichever is convenient and required.
17. On coming out of the temple, again prostrate in front of the flag column towards the north. Sit facing the north and meditate on the God chanting the Holy five letters.
18. While inside the temple should not make the place dirty in any way or make any noise.
19. Going to the temple at least once in a week with the family.

The mind should be focussed on the Lord like the dust of iron that stick to the magnet. A worship with such an orientation would have very good effect in us by the grace of the Almighty.

WHO AM I ?

Sri Ramana Maharshi
Sri Ramanasramam
Tiruvannamalai, South India.

Every living being longs always to be happy untainted by sorrow; and everyone has the greatest love for himself, which is solely due to the fact that happiness is his real nature. Hence, in order to realize that inherent and untainted happiness, which indeed he daily experiences when the mind is subdued in deep sleep, it is essential that he should know himself. For obtaining such knowledge the enquiry, ‘Who am I?’ in quest of the Self is the means par excellence.

‘Who am I?’ I am not this physical body, nor am I the five organs of sense perception.

[Note: The five organs of sense-perception are the eye, ear, nose, tongue and the skin, with their respective corresponding functions of sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch.]

I am not the five organs of external activity.

[Note: The five organs of external activity are the vocal organs that articulate speech and produce sound, hands and feet that govern the movements of the physical body, anus that excretes fecal matter, and the genital organ for procreation and which yields pleasure.]

I am not the five vital forces.

[Note: These vital forces control respiration, digestion and assimilation, circulation of blood, perspiration and excretion.]

I am not even the thinking mind. Neither am I that unconscious state of nescience, which retains merely the subtle Vasanas (latent impressions or mental tendencies), being then free from the functional activity of the sense organs and of the mind, and being unaware of the existence of the objects of sense perception.

Therefore, summarily rejecting all the above mentioned physical adjuncts and their functions, saying "I am not this; no, nor am I this, nor this," – that which then remains separate and alone by itself, that pure awareness verily am I. This awareness is by its very nature Sat-Chit-Ananda (Existence-Consciousness-Bliss).

If the mind, which is the instrument of knowledge and is the
basis of all activity, subsides, the perception of the world as an objective reality ceases. Unless the illusory perception of the serpent in the rope ceases, the rope on which the illusion is formed is not perceived as such. Even so, unless the illusory nature of the perception of the world as an objective reality ceases, the vision of the true nature of the Self, on which the illusion is formed, is not obtained.

The mind is a unique power (sakti) in the Atman (Self), whereby thoughts occur to oneself. On scrutiny as to what remains after eliminating all thoughts, it will be found that there is no such thing as mind apart from thought. So then, thoughts themselves constitute the mind.

Nor is there any such thing as the physical world apart from and independent of thought. In deep sleep there are no thoughts: nor is there the world. In the wakeful and dream states thoughts are present, and there is also the world.

Just as the spider draws out the thread of the cobweb from within itself and withdraws it again into itself, even so out of itself the mind projects the world and absorbs it back into itself.

The world is perceived as an apparent objective reality when the mind is externalized thereby forsaking its identity with the Self. When the world is thus perceived, the true nature of the Self is not revealed. Conversely, when the Self is realized, the world ceases to appear as an objective reality.

By a steady and continuous investigation into the nature of the mind, the mind is transformed into That to which the ‘I’ refers; and that is verily the Self. Mind has necessarily to depend for its existence on something gross; it never subsists by itself. It is this mind that is otherwise called the subtle body, the ego, the jiva or soul (individual soul).

That which arises in the physical body as ‘I’ is the mind. If one enquires whence the ‘I’-thought in the body arises in the first instance, it will be found that it is Hrdayam or the Heart.

[Note: The word ‘Hrdayam’ consists of two syllables, ‘Hrt’ and ‘Ayam’ which signify ‘I am the Heart’.]

That (Hrdayam or Heart) is the source and stay of the mind. Or again, even if one merely but continuously repeats inwardly ‘I – I’ with the entire mind fixed thereon, that also leads one to the same source.

The first and foremost of all the thoughts that arise in the mind is the primal ‘I’-thought. It is only after the rise or origin of the ‘I’-thought that innumerable other thoughts arise. In other words, only after the first personal pronoun, ‘I’, has arisen, do the second and third personal pronouns (you, he, etc.) occur to the mind; and they cannot subsist without the former.

Since every other thought can occur only after the rise of the ‘I’-thought and since the mind is nothing but a bundle of thoughts, it is only through the enquiry ‘Who am I?’ that the mind subsides. Moreover, the integral ‘I’-thought, implicit in such enquiry, having destroyed all other thoughts, gets itself finally destroyed or consumed, even like the stick used for stirring the burning funeral pyre gets consumed.

Even when extraneous thoughts sprout up during such enquiry, do not seek to complete the rising thought, but instead, deeply enquire within, ‘To whom has this thought occurred?’ No matter how many thoughts thus occur to you, if you would with acute vigilance enquire immediately as and when each individual thought arises as to whom it has occurred, you would find it is to ‘me.’ If then, you enquire ‘Who am I?’ the mind gets introverted and the rising thought also subsides. In this manner as you persevere more and more in the practice of Self-enquiry, the mind acquires increasing strength and power to abide in its source.

It is only when the subtle mind is externalized through the activity of the intellect and the sense-organs that gross name and form constituting the world appear. When, on the other hand, the mind stays and abides in the Heart, they (name and form) recede and disappear. Restraint of the out-going mind and its absorption in the Heart is known as introversion (antarmukha -drshti). The release of the mind and its emergence from the Heart is known as Bahirmukha-drishti (objeciveness).

If in this manner the mind becomes absorbed in the Heart, the ego or the ‘I’, which is the centre of the multitude of thoughts, finally vanishes and pure Consciousness or Self, which subsists during all the states of the mind, alone remains resplendent. It is this state, where there is not the slightest trace of the ‘I’-thought, that is the true Being of oneself. And that is called quiescence or Mouna.

This state of mere inherence in pure Being is known as the vision of wisdom. Such inherence means and implies the entire subsidence of the mind in the Self. Anything other than this and all psychic powers of the mind, such as thought- reading, telepathy and clairvoyance, cannot be wisdom.

Atma (atman) alone exists and is real. The world, the individual soul and God are, like the illusory appearance of silver in the mother of pearl, imaginary creations in the Atma. They appear and disappear simultaneously. Verily, the Self alone is the world, the ‘I’ and God. All that exists is but the manifestation of the Supreme.

For the subsidence of mind there is no other means more effective and adequate than self-enquiry. Even though by other means the mind subsides, that is only apparently so; it will rise again.

For instance, the mind subsides by the practice of pranayama (restraint and control of breath and vital forces); yet such subsidence lasts only as long as the control of breath and vital forces continues; and when they are released, the mind also gets released, and immediately becoming externalized it wearily wanders through the force of its subtle tendencies.

The source of the mind on the one hand, and of breath and vital forces on the other, is one and the same. It is really the multitudes of thoughts that constitute the mind; and the ‘I’-thought is the primal thought of the mind, and that itself is the ego. Now, breath too has its origin at the same place whence the ego rises. Therefore, when the mind subsides, breath and vital forces also subside; and conversely, when the latter subside, the former also subsides.

Breath and vital forces are also described as the gross manifestation of the mind. Till the hour of death the mind sustains and supports these forces in the physical body, and when life becomes extinct, the mind envelopes and carries them away. During sleep, however, the vital forces continue to function, although the mind is not manifest. This is according to the divine law and is intended to protect the body and to remove any possible doubt as to whether it is dead or alive while one is asleep. Without such arrangement by nature, sleeping bodies would often be cremated alive. The vitality apparent in breathing is left behind by the mind as a ‘watchman’. But in the wakeful state and in samadhi, when the mind subsides, prana (Vital force) also subsides. For this reason (viz., that the mind has the sustaining and controlling power over breath and vital forces and is therefore ulterior to both of them), the practice of pranayama is merely helpful in subduing the mind but cannot bring about its final extinction.

Even like pranayama, Murti-Dhyana (meditation on form), Mantra or Nama-Japa (repetition of sacred syllables or of names of deities), and the regulation of diet, are only aids to control the mind. Through the practice of Dhyana or Japa the mind becomes one-pointed. Just as the elephant’s trunk, which is otherwise restless, will become steady if it is made to hold an iron chain- so that the elephant walks (goes) his way without reaching out any other object- even so the ever-restless mind, which is trained and accustomed to a name or form through Dhyana or Japa, will steadily hold on to that alone.

When the mind is split up and dissipated into countless and varying thoughts, each individual thought becomes extremely weak and inefficient. When, on the contrary, such thoughts subside more and more till they finally get destroyed, the mind becomes one-pointed, and thereby acquiring strength and sustaining power, easily reaches perfection in the method of enquiry in quest of the Self.

Regulation of diet, restricting it to Satvic food (i.e. simple and nutritious food that sustains but does not stimulate the physical body), taken in moderate quantity, is of all the rules of conduct the best; and it is most conducive to the development of the satvic qualities of the mind.

[Note: Satvic qualities: Purity,Self-restraint, evenness of temper, tenderness towards all beings, fortitude, freedom from desire, freedom from hatred and arrogance are the outstanding virtues of the satvic mind.]

These satvic qualities in their turn, assist one in the practice of Atmavichara or enquiry in quest of the Self.

Countless Vishaya-Vasanas (subtle tendencies of the mind in relation to objects of sense-gratification), that come one after the other in quick succession like the waves of the ocean, agitate the mind. Nevertheless, they too subside and finally get destroyed with progressive practice of Atmadhyana or meditation on the Self. Without giving room even to the thought which occurs in the form of doubt, whether it is possible to stay merely as the very Self, whether all the Vasanas can be destroyed, one should firmly and unceasingly carry on meditation on the Self.

However sinful a person may be, if he would stop wailing inconsolably, ‘Alas! I am a sinner, how shall I attain salvation?’ and casting away even the thought that he is a sinner, if he would zealously carry on meditation on the Self, he would most assuredly get reformed.

So long as Vishaya-Vasanas (subtle tendencies of the mind in relation to objects of sense-gratification) continue to inhere in the mind, it is necessary to carry on the enquiry, ‘Who am I?’ As and when thoughts occur, they should, one and all, be annihilated then and there, at the very place of their origin, by the method of enquiry in quest of the Self.

Not to desire anything extraneous to oneself constitutes Vairagya (dispassion) or Nirasa (desirelessness). Not to give up one’s hold on the Self constitutes Jnana (Knowledge). But really Vairagya and Jnana are one and the same. Just as the pearl-diver, tying stones to his waist, dives down into the depths, and gets the pearl from the sea bed, even so every aspirant, pledged to Vairagya can dive deep into himself and realise the precious Atman. If the earnest seeker would only cultivate the constant and deep contemplative ‘remembrance’ smrti) of the true nature of the Self till he has realised it, that alone would suffice. Distracting thoughts are like the enemy in the fortress. As long as they are in possession of it, they will certainly sally forth. But if you would, as and when they come out, put them to the sword, the fortress will finally be captured.

God and the Guru (Master or teacher) are not really different: they are identical. He that has earned the grace of the Guru shall undoubtedly be saved and never forsaken, just as the prey that has fallen into the tiger’s jaws will never be allowed to escape. But the disciple, for his part, should unswervingly follow the path shown by the Master.

Firm and disciplined inherence in the Atman (Atmanishtha), without giving the least scope for the rise of any thought other than the deep contemplative thought of the Self, does verily constitute self-surrender to the Supreme Lord. Let any amount of burden be laid on Him. He doth bear it all. It is, in fact, indefinable power of the Lord that ordains, sustains and controls everything that happens. Why then, should we languish tormented by vexatious thought, saying ‘This wise (way) to act; but no, that way ……..’, instead of meekly but happily submitting ourselves to that power? Knowing full well that the train carries all the weight, why indeed should we, the passengers travelling in it, carry the small individual articles of luggage on our laps to our great discomfort, instead of putting them aside and sitting at perfect ease?

That which is Bliss is verily the Self. Bliss and the Self are not distinct and separate but are one and identical. And That alone is real. Not even in one of the countless objects of the mundane world is there anything that can be called happiness. It is through sheer ignorance and unwisdom we fancy that happiness is obtained from them. On the contrary, when the mind is externalized, it suffers pain and anguish. The truth is that every time our desires get fulfilled, the mind turning to its source experiences only that happiness which is natural to the Self. Similarly, in deep sleep, in spiritual trance (samadhi), in a state of swoon etc., when the desired object is obtained or when evil befalls an object considered undesirable, the mind turns within and enjoys that Bliss of Atman. In this manner, wandering astray forsaking the Self and returning back again to it within, is the interminable and wearisome lot of the mind.

It is pleasant under the shade of a tree; scorching is the heat of the sun without. A person toiling in the sun seeks the cool shade of the tree and is happy under it. Staying there for a while, he moves about, but unable to bear the merciless heat of the sun, he seeks the shade again. In this way, he moves, going out from the shade into the sun, and coming into the shade from the sun without.

He that acts in this manner is the unwise one. Whereas the wise one never leaves the shade. Even so the mind of the enlightened sage (Jnani) never exists apart from Brahman, the Absolute. The mind of the ignorant one, on the other hand, entering into the phenomenal world, suffers pain and anguish, and then turning for a short while towards Brahman, it experiences happiness. Such is the mind of the ignorant one.

This phenomenal world, however, is nothing but thought. When the world recedes from one’s view - that is when free from thought- the mind enjoys the Bliss of the Self. Conversely, when the world appears – that is when thought occurs- the mind experiences pain and anguish.

Not from any desire, resolve or effort on the part of the rising sun, but merely due to the presence of his rays, the lens emits heat, the lotus blossoms, water evaporates and the individuals in society take up their respective avocations in life. In the proximity of the magnet the needle moves. Even so, the soul or jiva (individual soul), subjected to the three-fold activity of creation, preservation and destruction that take place merely due to the unique presence of the Supreme Lord, performs acts in accordance with its Karma, and subsides to rest after such activity.

[Note: Karma i.e., the fruits of past actions which are being worked out in present life.]

But the Lord Himself has no resolve. No act or event touches even the fringe of His being. This state of immaculate aloofness is likened unto that of the sun who is untouched by the activities of life, or unto that of the all-pervasive space, which is not affected by the interaction of the complex qualities of the other four elements.

All scriptures without any exception proclaim that for attaining salvation mind should be subdued, and having known that control of mind is their final conclusion, it is futile to make an interminable study of the scriptures. What is required for such control is actual enquiry regarding oneself by self-interrogation ‘Who am I?’ How then can this enquiry in quest of the Self be made merely by means of a study of the scriptures?

One should realise the Self by the eye of wisdom. Does Rama need a mirror that he may recognise himself as Rama? That to which the ‘I’ refers is within the five sheaths, whereas the scriptures are outside them.

[Note: The five sheaths are the physical, vital, mental, sheath of knowledge-experience and of Bliss.]

Therefore, to seek by means of the study of scriptures, the Self, that has to be realised by summarily rejecting even the five sheaths, would only be futile.

To enquire ‘Who am I that is in bondage?’ and to know one’s real nature is alone liberation. To keep the mind constantly turned within and to abide thus in the Self, is alone Atma- Vichara (self-enquiry), whereas Dhyana (meditation) consists in fervent contemplation of the Self as Sat-Chit-Ananda (Existence-Consciousness-Bliss). Indeed, at sometime, one will have to forget everything that has been learnt.

Just as it is futile to examine the rubbish that has to be swept up only to be thrown away, even so it is futile for him who seeks to know the Self, if instead of casting away the Tattvas that envelope the Self, he sets himself to enumerate them or to xamine their qualities.

[Note: Tattvas are the elements into which phenomenal existence- from the subtle mind up to the gross matter-is classified.]

He should on the other hand, consider the phenomenal world with reference to himself as merely a dream.

Except that the wakeful state is long and the dream state is short, there is no other difference between the two. All the activities of the dream state appear, for the time being, just as real as the activities of the wakeful state seem to be while awake. Only, during the dream state the mind assumes another form or a different bodily sheath. For, thoughts on the one hand, and name and form on the other, occur simultaneously during both the wakeful and dream states.

There are not two minds, one good and the other evil. It is only the Vasanas or tendencies of the mind that are of two kinds, good and favourable, evil and unfavourable. When the mind is associated with the former, it is called good, and when associated with the latter, it is called evil. However evil-minded other people may appear to you, it is not proper to hate or despise them. Likes and dislikes, love and hatred are equally to be eschewed. It is also not proper to let the mind often rest on objects or affairs of mundane life. As far as possible one should not interfere in the affairs of others. Everything offered to others is really an offering to one self; and if only this truth is realised, who is there that would refuse anything to others?

If the ego rises, all else will also rise; if it subsides, all else will also subside. The deeper the humility with which we conduct ourselves, the better it is for us. If only the mind is kept under control, what does it matter where one may happen to be?