In our todays meditation classes, we were taught the importsnce of calm mind, which always favors the calm approach to any problems in life. When our mind is calm, we can concentrate better on the task at hand, leading to increased productivity and efficiency. A calm state of mind also allows for rational thinking and a more objective evaluation of options, resulting in better decisions. A relaxed mind can foster creative thinking and problem-solving abilities. Having a calm mind, enables us to handle situations with greater composure and clarity, ultimately leading to better outcomes in various aspects of life.
During the session, they taught us the following lines from Sanskrit :
शान्ति खड्गः करे यस्य दुर्जनः किं करिष्यती|
अतृणे पतितो वह्निः स्वयमेवोपशाम्यते||
shanti khadgah kare yasya durjanah kim karishyati.
atrune patito vahnih svayamevo-pashaamyate
Shaanti = calmness of mind.
Khadgh = a sword.
Kare = hand.
Yasya = whose.
Durjanah = a wicked person.
Kim = what ?
Karishyati = will do.
Atrune = a non inflamable surface or object other than grass.
Patito = dropped, fallen.
Vahnih = fire
Svayamevopashaamyate = Svayameva + upashaamyate
Svayameva = itself, on its own. upashaamyate = becomes extinct, gets extinguished.
Elaborating on the importsnce of calm mind, the li es transcripts that :
What harm can a wicked and mean person do to a person who is protected by the calmness of his mind like a sword in his hand? Even if the wicked person misbehaves with him, due to his cool behaviour the wicked person will be subdued just like a fire ignited over a non inflamable surface other than dry grass, itself gets extinguished shortly.
By using of similes of a "sword and fire" the author has underlined the fact that cool behaviour by a person to counter aggressive behaviour by the other person acts like a fire
falling on a non inflammable surface, which does not flare up and gets extinguished on its own.