Manni Mavjat

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Manni Mavjat" (મનની માવજત) by Tej Saheb, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Manni Mavjat (મનની માવજત) - Care of the Mind Author: Tej Saheb Publisher: Tej Saheb

Overall Theme: "Manni Mavjat" is a spiritual guide that delves into the nature of the human mind and provides practical, Jain philosophical approaches to its cultivation and control. The author, Tej Saheb, emphasizes that the mind is a powerful yet often unruly entity, comparing it to a monkey, a horse, a computer, and even a ghost. The book aims to help readers achieve inner peace, happiness, and spiritual progress by mastering their minds.

Key Concepts and Insights:

• The Nature of the Mind: The book describes the mind as a word with no inherent substance but filled with countless problems. It's characterized as changing colors like a chameleon and leaping like a monkey. The author acknowledges the difficulty of writing about the mind, as it requires stabilizing one's own mind.

• Mind as a Servant or Master: A central theme is whether one controls the mind or is controlled by it. The author uses the analogy of a remote control, suggesting that the mind should change channels according to our will, not the other way around. If the mind dictates our actions, we are its slaves; if we dictate the mind's direction, we are its masters.

• The Monkey Mind Analogy: The text frequently uses the metaphor of a monkey to represent the mind's erratic and impulsive nature. An anecdote about a monkey trapped by its greed for chickpeas in a jar illustrates how the mind gets caught in attachments and desires, refusing to let go even when it leads to suffering.

• Cultivating Positive Qualities: The book stresses the importance of making the mind positive, enriching it with virtues, and keeping it away from negative influences.

• Discipline and Control: Various analogies highlight the need for discipline:

  • Horse: Needs the reins of self-study (Swadhyaya).
  • Elephant: Needs the goad of control.
  • Car: Needs the brake.
  • Computer: Needs proper saving, deleting, and virus protection for thoughts.

• Mind and Karma: The author explains that the mind is not inherently bad; it acts according to the dictates of karma. Just as a pot of milk cools down on its own when removed from the heat, the mind calms down when the underlying karmic impulses are addressed.

• The Power of Resolution (Sankalp): The mind is the center of decision-making. Strong resolutions can overcome challenges, including severe illnesses, as exemplified by the story of Munivar finding strength through resolve.

• Detachment and Contentment: The book suggests that true happiness comes not from fulfilling desires but from detachment. It compares desires to an unending sky or a fire that is never satisfied, advocating for contentment.

• The Mind as a Tool: The mind is a tool that can be used for spiritual liberation (Moksha) or worldly bondage. The choice rests with the individual.

• Mind and Emotions:

  • Anger: To be quenched with forgiveness.
  • Ego: To be taught humility.
  • Deceit: To be replaced with straightforwardness.
  • Greed: To be countered with contentment.
  • Worry vs. Contemplation: Worry pulls one down, while contemplation lifts one up.

• Spiritual Practices: The book recommends:

  • Bhakti (Devotion): Focusing the mind on the Divine is presented as the best way to stabilize it.
  • Satsang (Good Company): Regular association with virtuous people and good literature helps purify the mind.
  • Meditation: Engaging the mind in meditation is crucial.

• Mind as a Mirror and a Vehicle: The mind reflects the environment it is exposed to, much like water takes the shape of its vessel. It can be a slippery slope into worldly attachments (Moh) or a ladder to spiritual heights.

• The Value of the Mind: The author emphasizes that having a mind is a great fortune, as many beings do not possess one. It should be used wisely for spiritual journey and liberation.

• Overcoming Attachments: The text uses analogies like a "lizard" that changes colors, a "dust devil" of desires, and "milk boiling over" to describe the mind's tendency to get attached to sensory pleasures and worldly matters, urging readers to control these impulses.

Practical Advice and Analogies:

• Gooseberry (Gokalgay) and Mango Tree: An anecdote of a snail climbing a mango tree, stating it will reach when it gets there, illustrates the importance of consistent effort and faith in one's goals.
• Mind as a Treasure: The mind is like a valuable diamond ornament, enhancing beauty when worn (used for good) and bringing wealth when sold (used for spiritual attainment).
• Mind's Resilience: The text questions whether the mind breaks like a pot or shatters like glass when faced with adversity, or if it breaks adversity itself.
• Mind and Wealth: The book contrasts the limited capacity of the body's needs with the insatiable hunger of the mind, which cannot be satisfied even by looting.
• Mind and Concentration: It points out how the mind readily concentrates when counting money but struggles with spiritual practices like chanting, suggesting that the mind stabilizes where it finds interest.

Author's Intent: Tej Saheb states that he has tried to cover all aspects of the mind and provide remedies for achieving happiness and peace. He hopes the book will make the reader's mind strong, firm, and virtuous. He concludes with a prayer for forgiveness if any mistake has been made.

In essence, "Manni Mavjat" is a profound exploration of the human psyche from a Jain spiritual perspective, offering guidance on transforming a restless, desire-driven mind into a disciplined, virtuous, and ultimately liberated one.