Slokam 2

The ten brothers, collectively known as the Prachetas are given the mission of increasing the species. They depart to search and locate the ideal place for meditation,  which is meant to completely washing off the sins and carryovers from forefathers.  The implication is that, if this was not performed, the future generations will be burdened with experiencing suffering. 

Usually, suffering perpetuates itself. One negative event induces a series of mistakes, because the mind loses its sense of balance.  It is caught in a world of delusion, conflict and regret.  The only way to break out of a downward spiral is to pursue the focusing of the mind on the Paramathma and dedicate our consciousness to the supreme self.  Once the mind is quietened and has no worldly desires, the surrender is complete, our actions become selfless and karma will be washed away.

The Pracheta brothers are said to proceed westerly,  and reach the shores of the western ocean. There they see an enchanting lake and decide to locate themselves there. 

The environment for pursuit of tapas, has to be tranquil and serene. Disturbances will effectively block the power of dedication and surrender.  If the mind is in a constant state o fear and insecurity,  dhyanam will not be possible.

Sri Rama is requested to help sage Viswamtra to destroy the demons in the forest that were causing a daily disruption of the  yagnas that the rishis in his ashram were performing. 

The dhandaka forest to which Sri Rama is asked to retreat to by Kaikeyi is full of demons that constantly bother the rishis who had set up their ashrams there.

In the modern era, we cannot retreat to the forest.  We have to pursue the right path while being in the midst of worldly disturbances. 

The challenges in kali yuga are manifold. The demons are now within us. They have now transformed into the more complex forces within our minds.

No matter that we physically isolate ourselves,  these demons will still be there within us.  The destruction of these demons is only through the mind staying on the path of self realization to attain the feet of the Paramathma.

The demons sustain and strengthen themselves in our mind by creating a bonding and attachment for the worldly temptations that they offer. 

The bonding can only be weakened and broken when the mind transcends worldly pulls and pushes, by giving up ownership, and seeking of rewards and gratifications.

The dhandaka forest is now the conflicted relationship between our consciousness and our minds. The demons are the worldly relationships, and “ownerships”  that we acquire through our senses.

This was always the case, even in the era of sage Viswamitra.  The demons appeared in a physical form to test the rishi’s power of concentration.  In the physical form, they can be eliminated through battle,  provided that our minds and consciousness are clear and unclouded. 

It would be appropriate to point out here that in the battle of Kurukshetra, it was the Paramathma in the form of Sri Krishna that destroys the adharmic Kauravas, who are physically and numerically much stronger than the Pandavas.

Demons manifest to test the purity of our thoughts and intentions.  The manifest in battle, only when they cannot make our minds their “homes”.  Their existence is threatened by our spiritual pursuits.  This is when the conflict begins.

It will be good to keep in mind that the presence of demons within us is a symptom, or effect of the mental distortions that need to be sanctified and purified, if we are to make progress.  Where there is no worldly pull on the mind,  there are no more demons.  The vanish from within us.

May we dedicate ourselves to the path of constructive internal transformation and not be subject to living in a world of delusions that make us grapple with the effect or symptom of our imbalances rather than addressing the root cause which is lack of spiritual progress.