In Hindu theology, Arishadvarga are the six passions[1] of mind or desire: kama (lust), krodha (anger), lobh (greed), moha (attachment), mada or ahankar (pride) and matsarya (jealousy);[2] the negative characteristics of which prevent man from attaining moksha or salvation.
These are the fundamental tenets of Kali Yuga. The more each individual fights them, the longer will be the life of dying Dharma in this yuga.
- kama — lust
- krodha — anger
- lobh — greed
- moha — delusory emotional attachment or temptation
- mada or ahankara — pride, hubris
- matsarya — envy, jealousy
Kama and krodha or lust and anger are responsible for all kinds of difficult experiences which we have in our lives.
With mada or ahankar, the false ego up and active, all our acting in the world becomes selfish. Hence there is no other factor causing the illusory duality of differentiating between 'us' and 'them' and the repeated pain and delusion it entails than the psychological ego-sense. When the materially identified ego has sided with the materialistic forces of creation (Maya), it is said to have the following faults: kama, krodha, lobha, moha, mada and matsarya. Also called evil passions, man's Spiritual heritage constantly gets looted by these internal thieves (and their numerous variations), causing him to lose knowledge of his True Being.
If a person is virtually a prisoner of arishadvargas (the six internal enemies of kama, krodha, lobha, moha, mada and matsarya), then his life is totally governed by the destiny. As a person moves ahead on the path of Self-Realization, the grip of the destiny over him loosens and he gets more and more leverage to change his destiny. When a person identifies himself with the Self, then, he becomes part of the destiny power. His power of mere sankalpa is good enough to materialize and change any situation either for good or bad according to his sankalpa.
Karmic forces flourish when the individual is self centered. The thoughts of "I" and "Mine", one's indulges in Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Madha and Matsarya are tools of Karma to perpetuate worldly desires and objectives. Quietening the mind and turning contemplation towards Easwara are the two requirements to mitigate Karma.
Awareness of the self is what existence is all about. But the SELF is comprised of multiple components. The major components of the self are the Body, Mind, and consciousness. Mind and Consciousness, the chief components of perception and awareness and intelligence together are known as MANAS.
Like the ten heads of Ravanna, the mind is composed of many different parts, each of which wants the prime attention of one's consciousness.
The different parts of the mind could be physical and could be attributes.
The physical aspects are directly the needs of the body and the organs in the body. So food, shelter, clothing, disease, sickness, coping with disabilities, reproductive needs, are all the needs of the body and consumes a lot of the attention of our conscious waking time, The mind's primary job appears to be to provide for the bodily needs by enacting its Karma in the physical world. This effort to preserve the physical does result in evolution since it involves development of skills to interact with people and objects.
This aspect is the outward turn of the mind. It has to deal with the physical aspects by acquiring knowledge of the physical world. The western man is a natural at this aspect since his/her mind is turned outwards from birth. The western man dominates the physical world.
The other aspect of the mind are the attributes. The major attributes are Kammam, Krodham, Moham, Lobham, Madham, Matsaryam.
Kammam - Passion. Usually sexually oriented. Lust. One of the most dreaded aspects.
Krodham - Anger
Moham - Obsession of the miind. Usually related to Kammam. Delusion
Lobham - Greed
Madham - Pride in the Self
Matsaryam - Envy
The above attributes are the ones that drive physical action to preserve the self. So essentially these inner aspects of the mind are a direct result of the interaction of the mind with the external world. Without these inner attributes the external world will have no impact and will not be able to influence the inner self.
There are a few other major attributes that are not entirely the result of the physical world.
These are very strange attributes that seem to completely control the mind and its boss - our consciousness
1. Ahankara or Ego This is aspect of the mind that is the seperator of the self from all other observed phenomena in the world. So it is the official name for the "I" within the mind.
2. Chitta - Will power. This is an ability that has both physical and mental impact. It is the "ability" that enables us to move our limbs according to the dictates and requirements of the mind. This is also the power to keep the mind from wandering away and being subject to the pull of Kammam, Krodham etc. A very powerful attribute that needs to be consciously cultivated.
3. Buddhi - Intellect. This is the ability to relate our experiences to the primary cause. For example - the understanding that if we commit a crime, we have to face the consequences, or that if there is smoke, there is a fire somewhere. It is not just a matter of relating the physical events and occurances to the causes. It can be very effective in understanding and controlling the working of the mind itself.
The aggregate of all the above individual heads is the MANAS and constitues the centerpiece of Ravanna's 10 heads. The MANAS, being pulled in different directions by the different aspects of itself, becomes the Control Center and tries to keep the reins on uncontrolled horses pulling in different directions and tries to steer the chariot in the correct direction.
So we are seekers of complete liberation from bondage. We are forced to seek liberation from the cycle of births and deaths and seek peace and tranquility. The "I" represents the focus of these desires.
The True Identity is Universal and Common to each of us. Yet each of us has to find it, each in our own unique and innovative way.
Through bhakti and renunciation, these 6 vices can be overcome. The great Vaishnava Saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu exhorted, "Krishna Nama Sankirtan" i.e. the constant chanting of the Lord's name is the supreme healer in Kali Yuga. It destroys sins and purifies the hearts through Bhakti ensures universal peace.
The Seeker is usually understood to be different from what is being sought. But in the path of self realization the identitiy seems to be looking for itself!!
There appear to be two parts to us. One part is all aware and all knowing. It however is subconscious and does not apear to be accesible consciously. The other part of oursleves, the conscious part, is born in ignorance. The conscious but ignorant part seeks the all knowing but subconscious part of our inner self.
The conscious but ignorant aspect of our inner self is known as the MIND.
The Mind is composed of many different parts. They may be broadly divided into;
1. Consciouness - This is the aspect of the mind that makes it aware of itself.
2. Rationality/Intelligence - The ability of the mind to organize the events that it observes in a sequence that explains which event is the Cause and which is the Effect of the Cause.
3. Fear - Of suffering and destruction.
4. Greed and Ambition - The intent to secure itself by acquiring material wealth, power and position.
5. Relationship - the need for attachment to people and objects. This is the tendency to take ownership, take responsibility.
6. Desire - Longing for objects, qualities, and attributes that are not presently in possession.
These are but a few of the multitude of the attributes that keep the mind racing in activity 24/7.
These attributes are triggered by the events of this world that the consciousness is able to perceive through the senses.
Not all the sensations and events perceived through the senses are desirable or pleasant. So the Mind attempts to control the experiences and mitigate the unpleasantness through the following broad methods;
1. Avoidance - This is the use of the intellect to analyze the cause and effect relationship to; a. Eliminate the cause that produces the unpleasant effects, or b. look for and anticipate unpleasant events and attempt to avoid them.
2. Self Control - Not yielding to a temptation or desisting from action that will result in troubles. Such as avoiding spicy food to avoid upsetting the digestive system.
3. Acceptance; This is the act of facing up to the unpleasantness and coping with the consequences.
4. Seeking refuge in the Easwara - This is the act of complete surrender. Could be to request a bail-out from the situation or, based on past experiences, perform regular pooja for relief from problems in the future.
So essentially, the mind is held under restraint or control to prevent it from straying on to troubled waters. This restraining force or self control is often given the status of the Identity.
But this restraining or controlling force itself is a product of the mind and it also works on the basis of conflict, as the mind does. It is however at a step higher than the level at which the Mind works. The reason for restraint or suppression of action may be based on consideration for the well being of others rather than one's self.
So as the mind evolves, it sheds desires and acquires the quality of selflessness. This process of evolution will not happen unless the process of self inquiry is initiated.
The question "Who is the seeker" is the same as the question "Who am I". One difference between the two questions is that we are always aware of the seeker and can readily identify with the seeker, however, we do not seem to know or be aware of who or what is being sought, although both are the same!!!
Aptakama
One who has gained his wishes: who is satisfied. In philosophy the term is used for one who knows the identity of the Brahman and the Atman: the Supreme Soul.Cupid, the God of Love of Hindu mythology: his other name being Manmatha. is the God of Kama - This is primarily, Indira
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