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Pramathi means just like a madman, pramathi, without any brain, pramathi; and balavat, and very strong

Expressions researched:
"Pramāthi means just like a madman, pramāthi, without any brain, pramāthi; and balavat, and very strong"

Lectures

Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures

He is describing his deficiencies that "My dear Kṛṣṇa, my mind is so much restless, agitated," cañcala. Cañcala means restless. Cañcalaṁ hi manaḥ kṛṣṇa pramāthi. Pramāthi means just like a madman, pramāthi, without any brain, pramāthi; and balavat, and very strong. Oh, my mind is dragging to somewhere else. I am trying: "No, mind, don't go there." Oh, no, mind says, "No. I must go. I must go." And sometimes we agree, "All right, let me go." So it is very strong.

Arjuna, he cannot be a false pretender. He frankly says: "My dear Arjuna, the system of yoga which you have prescribed," yo 'yaṁ yogas tvayā proktaḥ, "the summary description of yoga system which You have described," sāmyena madhusūdana. Kṛṣṇa's another name is Madhusūdana. Madhusūdana means He killed one demon whose name was Madhu. Therefore God's names are different according to different activities of God. God has got innumerable names, because He has got innumerable activities.

Suppose we are part and parcel of God. We have got innumerable . . . we cannot remember how many activities, how much activities we are engaged in, that from our childhood up to this time. So just think about God. He is unlimited; therefore His activities are also unlimited. So He has got unlimited names also. "Kṛṣṇa," of course, is the chief name, but He has got many other, unlimited names also. So one of the name is Madhusūdana. Madhusūdana means He killed a demon, a very great demon. Therefore since then, His name is Madhusūdana.

So what is the purpose of "Madhusūdana"? Why he is addressing . . . he could address "Kṛṣṇa," directly, because he is more known to Kṛṣṇa as friend, Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna. Why he is asking, why he is saying "Madhusūdana"? That means this mind is as a big demon, just like Madhu. If it is possible to kill the demon, then we can attain yoga. You see? That, the particular purpose of "Madhusūdana," that, "You are a killer of Madhu demon. Now I think my mind is stronger than this Madhu demon. So if You can kill it, then it is possible for me to accept this yoga system." The mind is so agitated.

cañcalaṁ hi manaḥ kṛṣṇa
pramāthi balavad dṛḍham
tasyāhaṁ nigrahaṁ manye
vāyor iva suduṣkaram
(BG 6.34)

He is describing his deficiencies that "My dear Kṛṣṇa, my mind is so much restless, agitated," cañcala. Cañcala means restless. Cañcalaṁ hi manaḥ kṛṣṇa pramāthi. Pramāthi means just like a madman, pramāthi, without any brain, pramāthi; and balavat, and very strong. Oh, my mind is dragging to somewhere else. I am trying: "No, mind, don't go there." Oh, no, mind says, "No. I must go. I must go." And sometimes we agree, "All right, let me go." So it is very strong.

So Arjuna is saying, tasyāhaṁ nigraham. Now, you have . . . the whole process of your yoga system is, the sum and substance of yoga system is, to control the mind. The agitated mind should be controlled, and the mind has to be focused on the Supersoul. That is the whole purpose of yoga. Now, Arjuna says that tasyāhaṁ nigrahaṁ manye. The mind is so agitated that to cut down the mind is as impossible as you want to stop a hurricane. Suppose there is hurricane. It is blowing so strongly, and if one stands before the hurricane and spreading his han . . . "No, I will stop it," is it possible? No. Just see.

Now, you can just imagine Arjuna, five thousand years before, and he was understanding Bhagavad-gītā from Kṛṣṇa, his friend. Just imagine what is his qualification. He is direct friend of Kṛṣṇa, and he is a great warrior. He has got administrative capacity, and at the same time his knowledge . . . comparing his knowledge, this Bhagavad-gītā he understood within one hour.

This Bhagavad-gītā, which is not understood in one life at the present moment, he understood this Bhagavad-gītā in one hour. So how much intelligent he was. And he belong to the royal family. All facilities were there. And he . . . he is, I mean, accepting that "It is not possible for me."

Now do you think what was impossible for Arjuna five thousand years before in such favorable circumstances, is it possible for you to discharge? Do you belong to the Arjuna category? No. We are thousand times lower than Arjuna's category. And what was impossible for Arjuna, do you think it is possible for you? Any sane man will do that thing, that, what was . . .

In a Bengal, Bengali payar there is a very nice comparison like this, that bara bara ghonai gela rasatal beta gonra bale kata jala. That means . . . you know, the animals, they can swim over the river. So there was a big, overflowing river. So at that time there was no such carrying boats and ships, so everyone had to cross river either by small boats or by swimming.

So generally, the animals were allowed to swim over, to cross over the other part, other bank, and men, they took small boats and they would . . . now, there was very good current, so many horses, they swept away by the current. And one lean and thin horse came. He is asking, "Let me know how much water this is." You see?

So similarly, if what was impossible for Arjuna, such a stalwart, such an advanced and, I mean to say, in every respect, and directly a friend of Kṛṣṇa, he is admitting that, "Kṛṣṇa, this process is not possible for me. Oh, I am a military man. I have to look after the administrative affairs. So how can I concentrate my mind in that way which You have prescribed? So it is not possible for me." He flatly denied. He flatly denied.

And he never attempted it also, because from the history of Mahābhārata we don't find that Arjuna ever went for meditation of the yoga system. No, never. But still, he was certified by Kṛṣṇa that "You are the only man to understand Bhagavad-gītā. You are the only man." Why? Bhakto 'si: "Because you are My devotee." Priyo 'si (BG 4.3): "You are My very dear friend." So with such a nice certificate and such favorable condition, still, he refused.

cañcalaṁ hi manaḥ kṛṣṇa pramāthi balavad dṛḍham tasyāhaṁ nigrahaṁ manye vāyor iva suduṣkaram (BG 6.34)

Vāyor iva: "Just it is impossible to control the hurricane wind, similarly, it is impossible for me to control my mind. It is not possible." Then? How to control the mind? That, the same thing: Kṛṣṇa consciousness. You can control the mind if you fix up your mind always in Kṛṣṇa. That is the only remedy. Sa vai manaḥ kṛṣṇa-padāravindayor vacāṁsi vaikuṇṭha-guṇānuvarṇane (SB 9.4.18).

That is the only perfect yoga. Our subject matter for today's lecture is perfect yoga. This Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the perfect form of yoga system. That is admitted five thousand years before.

Page Title:Pramathi means just like a madman, pramathi, without any brain, pramathi; and balavat, and very strong
Compiler:SharmisthaK
Created:2022-09-10, 16:09:50
Totals by Section:BG=0, SB=0, CC=0, OB=0, Lec=1, Con=0, Let=0
No. of Quotes:1