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Triveni Journal

1927 | 11,233,916 words

India history
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Triveni is a journal dedicated to ancient Indian culture, history, philosophy, art, spirituality, music and all sorts of literature. Triveni was founded at Madras in 1927 and since that time various authors have donated their creativity in the form of articles, covering many aspects of public life....

Human Personality

C. Sitarama Murti

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ON HUMAN PERSONALITY

Man’s Place in the Universe:

God willed to bring into existence a grand universe for His own delectation and for the exercise of His grace. With Him, wish and its fulfilment synchronise. A brilliant intellect comes into play and evolves a perfect design of the entire cosmos. A panorama of great beauty emerges from space - The Firmament with its shining planets and innumerable sparkling stars, the Earth with its majestic mountains, fascinating forests, perennial rivers, vast seas, and wonderful pecies of animals, birds, reptiles and insects, constitute this universe. Human beings crown this creative process. They are endowed with handsome physical features, active senses, alert minds, vigorous intellects, sensitive hearts, and capacious retentive memories which are veritable store­houses of impulses and thoughts, emotions and sentiments. As all these created beings emerge out of God, they partake in the glow of His spirit. But the human beings who are gifted with talents and faculties (not shared by other created beings) are specially bestowed with a live consciousness of the existence of this Divine Spark in their constitution. It is this awareness that makes them realise that they are the offspring of the Supreme Divinity amrutasya putraah

Man’s constitution - Body:

Life is a magnificent gift. It is meant to be spent in a purposeful way by finding an outlet for the manifold talents, inherited in the human beings, to express themselves. Attention must be paid to developing a healthy and strong physique, through disciplinary exercises and adequate nourishment. To regard the body as a sack of loathesome flesh and blood, bones and nerves, is to misapprehend a valuable endowment Sareera maadyam khalu dharmo saadhanam The body is a veritable tabernacle of God: God’s spirit resides in it; it thus acquires sanctity. A healthy and strong body is basic for a sound mind and for the outplay of talents embedded in it. It is a blessing to have a gaint’s body with muscles of iron and nerves of steel. But to use it as a giant leads to great disaster! The powers the body generates need to be restrained to healthful exercise.

Senses:

It is equally true that a vigorous mind helps the body to keep fit. The world is a facile arena for the senses to play about with avid pleasure. The eye feasts on Nature’s panorama; the ear rejoices in draughts of soothing melodies - springing from hilarious birds, loitering insects, flowing rivers - and in cascades of heavenly music of human choirs. The nose regales itself with sweet scents of fresh-blown flowers and delicious flavours of bunches of ripe fruits. The palate delights in relishing varieties of sweets and savouries, of drinks and beverages. The skin enjoys pleasant sensations in the touch of gentle Zephyr, in its contact with a bed of soft down, in the warm embrace of cherished and loved ones. So far, the experiences of the senses are outstandingly unblemished and refreshingly enjoyable.

Mind:

But the senses have a tendency to lose themselves in carefree abandon. There comes the rub. They are compared to horses yoked to a chariot. The mind assumes the role of a charioteer. And it is in this context that it should display its effectiveness and mastery. If it betrays even a slight weakness, it fails miserably in keeping senses under control. The senses exploit this deficiency and have field-day. They indulge in excesses and yield to frightful aberrations and thus enfeeble and demoralise life itself. Life loses its very purpose and becomes a desolate in health. In playing its role as the charioteer of senses, the mind may take its stand at the other extreme and overplay its role. In its enthusiasm to display sternness, it might exercise tyranny over the senses, with such violence as to stifle and suppress even their normal wholesome activities. Elimination of excesses is welcome. But extinction of senses is another type of disaster - more horrid than the one that results from allowing senses to over­indulge themselves. Life then becomes devoid of all charm, when healthy pleasures are altogether expelled from it.

What is needed is a Mind that is not frail and timid, that is not violent and oppressive; but a Mind that is vigorous and steady, which exercises authority with moderation and considerateness, with fairness and a sense of adequacy. It should employ circumspection and check aberrations even at the initial stages. At the same time, it should allow ample room for the senses to function in a normal and natural way, so that healthy instincts and wholesome impulses do not suffer impairment. A healthy body nurses and nourishes a sound mind; and a strong and steady mind regulates the activities of the senses along wholesome channels.

Mind and attitudes to life:

The constitution of the body influences the mould of the Mind and determines its attitude to life. It is said that there are four ‘humours’ or fluids in the constitution of the human, physique - blood, phlegm, bile and black bile; and that they determine, by the relative proportions in which they mingle, the mould of the Mind. The person, in whom blood predominates, develops a sanguine disposition, charged with hope and joy; has a gay, optimistic attitude to life. The person, in whom phlegm prevails, displays a phlegmatic attitude, liable to frequent irritations; he builds up needless tensions and makes life unpleasant and wearisome. The person, in whom bile reigns supreme, constantly yields to bouts of peevishness, makes easy enemies and leads a distracted life. A person, in whom black bile is in the ascendant, betrays a melancholy temperament; and, by a cynical approach, warps and sours his relations with others and leads a wretched, cheerless life. Are these attitudes to stay put? Is there no way to effecting a desirable transformation?

There certainly is. The natural physical constituent humours can be harmonised and sublimated by a proper course of disciplining the Mind; and equipoise can be effected by applying suitable correctives. The sanguine approach, with its over-optimistic activity, runs the risk of turning life into a blaze of Epicurean enjoyment: “Eat, drink and be merry!” Thus it frustrates the very purpose of existence. And so it should be subjected to restraints and made to realise the needs of the society and conform to promoting common good. People of phlegmatic and bilious dispositions need to pass through a process of chastening reflection to strengthen themselves to overcome impulsive, pessimistic outbursts; and thus render themselves socially agreeable and welcome. A reformative process on a revolutionary scale becomes essential to transform the melancholy cynical loner into a just and fair appraiser of fellow-humans. A considerable quantum of faith in the essential goodness of human nature is to be injected into him to bale him out of desperate cheerlessness. But will the Mind subject itself to this rigorous course and undertake this task of metamorphosis of dispositions? The Mind is ever on the move like the aim and never steady. True. How then can its waywardness be brought under control? It is an arduous, prolonged process to effect this miracle. Imposing constant checks on its movements with patience, coupled with a perseverant cultivation of a spirit of renunciation, can effect the desired result. (Bhagauad Gita, Chapt. VI, Verse 35).


“Undoubtedly, O mighty-armed one, the mind is difficult to control and is restless. But by practice, O Son of Kunti , and by dispassion, it is restrained”. It is such disciplined and staid Mind that can be trusted to effect this sublimation of natural dispositions of people and tune them to appreciate life in its true perspective, Life is no Vanity Fair; nor is it a Moody Market; nor is it a Dreary Desert! It is an enjoyable Playground for healthy activities, a delectable Haven for relaxed reflections, a veritable Paradise for enjoying peace and bliss!

Life and its goal:

Life is real, earnest and serious. It is no use doting over the past; it lies in the grave, dead and gone. It profits little to muse over the future; it is in the Time’s womb and is uncertain. And life is precious. Therefore, act, act in the living present; exploit all the opportunities it throws up to the fullest extent; pursue purposeful and gainful objectives without respite; employ without reserve all the talents and faculties naturally endowed and sedulously cultivated, to the realisation of laudable objectives and fulfilment of lofty aspirations! A salutary counsel, a consummation devoutly wished for! But how to accomplish it? There comes the rub!

Way of life:

Man’s sole objective in pursuing life is to avoid sorrow and to enjoy happiness. It is a common belief that heaven and hell have separate locations; and that the former abounds in perpetual pleasures and that the latter is infested with eternal torments; and that people who lead lives of virtue and righteousness are transported, after death, into this fascinating Elysium; and that those who waste their lives in sin and wickedness are flung into horrid Inferno. This picture is painted thus with the desire to caution people against Vice and to incline them towards Virtue, in manipulating and ordering their lives. But, as a matter of fact, heaven and hell are located close to each other in the Mind itself. This is amply borne out by common experience. When a person experiences sound, undisturbed sleep, he observes, after waking up, that he has been unaware of his bodily existence and has enjoyed the bliss of heaven during that brief spell.  The same person, harassed by cares and anxieties, on another occasion, mourns that he could not command even a wink of sleep and that he has passed through horrendous hell!  There is no need for further proof that heaven and hell are states of Mind. “The Mind is its own place; it can make a heaven of hell and a hell of heaven”. While it is welcome if the Mind projects heaven out of hell, it is terrible if it turns heaven into hell. The problem is how the Mind should be conditioned to present before itself a perennially enjoyable prospect, without allowing dismal shades to disfigure it. It is here that the Mind needs the help and support of other faculties, like Intellect  with its discriminating skill  and Heart  with its emotive sensitiveness

Mind and Intellect:

Instincts and impulses sway the Mind. Often times they are healthy and noble. But when the Mind is under a cloud, they may unfortunately take a filthy and ignoble turn. It is then, during, such lapses of waywardness, that the Mind needs the Intellect to intervene and set matters right. With its acute power of discrimination, the Intellect winnows the chaff from the grain; it chases the shadows and instals light; it purges the evil and promotes the good. In carrying out this catharsis, the Intellect may assume unrelenting sternness and exercise imperialistic authority. But its aim is benevolent, to chasten the mind. In effecting this purge, the Intellect puts on a mask. Its rough exterior, harsh speech, bearish behaviour, do appear repellent. But they hide a mellowed concern and delicate solicitude for the well-being of the Mind. We do come across, in our own lives, people with massive Intellects and uncompromising ethical standards, exhibit tempestuous ferocity against human foibles and failings; but their fierce behaviour belies a fund of mellowed goodwill and sympathy.  It was said of Samuel Johnson (the Dictator of Letters of the 18th Century England) that he could not countenance inequity of any kind and condemned it with uncontrollable fury. But, as was well-known, he has nothing of the bear in him except the skin. It was the same case with Sri Kandukuri Viresalingam, the renowned Andhra Social Reformer and Scholar, and with our esteemed master, Dr. V. Ramakrishna Rao (Principal, P.R. College, Kakinada, 1918-32) of revered memory. Some times, such explosion of righteous indignation may prove ineffective, even counter-productive. For, most people get scared; they cannot detect, nor appreciate, the mellow generosity hidden under it.

Intellect and Heart:

It is in such situations that the need is felt for the intercession of a Heart  that not only feels but understands as well - an understanding heart. The heart is the fountain-head of all feelings, emotions, sensations and sentiments. In its functioning, there is a danger of the heart swinging to an extreme position; it may become over­sensitive and react with uncalled for impatience. Or, it may rebound to the other extreme, lose its grip altogether and yield to weak sentimentality. But what is needed is a heart that is both sensitive and strong, understanding and considerate; neither oppressively cold nor intolerably effusive. Intellect concerns itself with a severe condemnation of sin and remains indifferent to the sinner. And the Heart, too, does not compromise with sin but extends sympathy to the sinner. It acts on a higher plane. It adopts a suave approach, employs soft speech, administers gentle admonition, and thus leads the sinner to cognise his lapse. This is how the understanding heart functions; it enlightens the offender and resurrects the good elements in his nature. The Bishop in Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables fits in with the description of a man with a heart full of the milk of human kindness. He addresses the criminal Jean Valjean as ‘Brother’, entertains him at his table, provides him bed for rest; and his guest proves ungrateful and, succumbing to his thieving propensity, snatches the silver candle-stand in his room and make good his escape. When he is caught with the stolen thing in his possession and produced before the Bishop, the latter blandly enquires why he has left behind the twin silver candle-stand and offers it to him-thus, not only does he condone the offence of theft but makes it appear as a lapse in leaving a gift behind! And behold the miracle this understanding heart works on Jean Valjean! The sinner turns into        a saint - a remarkable transformation, beyond the range of imagination to expect! Nearer home, Sir R. Venkataratnam, the Leader of the Andhra Brahma Samaj, of hallowed memory, was an approximation to this fictional character in actual life - an exemplary gentle man with a golden heart, with a rosary of resurrected souls adorning his figure!

Integrated personality:

Now for a resume of factors contributing to an integrated personality:

(1) A person may have an imposing physique with muscles of iron and nerves of steel. – A good component of integrated personality! But if he has a weak mind, he yields to the vagaries of the senses and stays put at the initial stage.

(2) In addition to a strong body, he may have a staid mind which keeps senses under control; but he may lack an acute intellect to discriminate between what is healthy and natural and what is filthy and abnormal in the urges and outbursts of senses-faculties. Inadequate monitoring and faulty regulation stunt his personality.

(3) A sturdy body, a steady mind, a vigorous intellect may all be present in the individual; but he may have a stony heart, which makes no allowance even for slight lapses and constricts pardonable pleasures and thus makes life barren and cheerless. This flaw strikes a blow at his personality.

(4) A person may have all the constituents of an impressive personality - good physique, healthy senses, steady mind, virile intellect, and understanding heart, which reacts to situations with dignity and sympathy. Can he be deemed to have fulfilled all the criteria of an integrated personality? No. There is something still wanting to make it complete and perfect.

Let us grant that these constituents of personality do not act at cross purposes but cooperate with each other and act in unison. The body harbours healthy senses; the mind remains steady and regulates the activities of senses; the intellect sharpens its power of discrimination and promotes what is good and desirable; the heart soothes and reforms, softens and resurrects, the strayers from virtues. Then conflicts and tensions disappear and life flows smooth and pleasant. But, even if all these excellences cohere in a single individual, he remains an incomplete, fragmentary personality, if he unfortunately betrays ignorance of his real nature as the inheritor and possessor of the Divine spirit, as the veritable offspring of Supreme Vitality, the Eternal, Immortal, Infinite Lord! It is true that the lineaments of an imposing and impressive personality are there: robust physique, healthy senses, alert and steady mind, virile and discriminating, intellect, and sensitive and considerate heart, are in full evidence. But the figure is deficient in one important respect; the spiritual glow, the radiant aura, is woefully absent. It is only spiritual awareness that gives illumining experience; that integrates all the faculties and imparts a divine halo to the personality and makes it complete and perfect.

We may even venture to suggest that a person who has none of the outstanding excellences of the usual factors which constitute a personality (like body, senses, mind, intellect and heart), but has a live consciousness of the precious spiritual endowment and strives for accomplishment of illuminating experience, stands unique with a resplendent personality. It is not difficult to account for this special phenomenon. That person has wisely chosen to strike at the essential element of his true nature that element which suffers no change, which lasts for ever and has concentrated on providing exercise to it, and has garnered experiences of divine nature. In him Spirit stands supreme. No wonder, all faculties and graces, which have their origin in it, revert to their Source and inhere in it. It is said that he who knows what is to be known, knows everything else that is required to complete his personality. To this glorious category belong the Vedic Rishis, the saints and prophets of all ages and climes, of all religions; and they present models of adorable personalities. In modern times, spiritual stalwarts like Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekananda, Sri Ramana Maharshi, Sri Kanchi Parama charya - all within our knowledge-stand before our minds’ eyes with their radiating figures and beaming smiles, beckoning us into the ever new worlds of lasting peace and eternal bliss. Then prophetic message rings in our ears, guiding us in this pilgrimage of life: “This vast universe is the sacred Temple of God; Truth is the imperishable gospel; Faith is the tap-root of Religion; Cultivating Purity of mind is real pilgrimage; Love is the perfect rule of conduct; Renunciation consists in elimination of selfishness”.


These saints present the Ideal of Integrated Personality. To emulate them is a frightening chimera to us, neophytes groping for light in the vast wilderness of vain struggles for ephermeral vanities of pelf and power. But it is up to us to make endeavours to lift ourselves from the quagmire of worldly pursuits to the extent possible. Any effort to explore the spiritual source in us, any attempt to draw inspiration from it, any experiment to taste its nectarine experience, will help exalt our life’s pilgrimage, and invest our personalities with a glow however aint, with a spark of light that is not seen on land or seal.

Lead, Kindly Light,

Lead us to Bliss Divine!

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