SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 2021 (PAGE 3) SACRED SPACE PERSONALITY Understanding Mind Doyens of Dogri Dr D R Kapoor (known), the Self as a subject (the knower). The intel- Processes and standard operational procedures are Gian Singh bags Akademi Award "Each of us has a unique mind: unique thoughts, lect is the faculty which helps in making decisions, but possible through conscious mind. Focus is on under- O P Sharma award for the year 2020 has gone to Dr Gian the brain is not decision maker. It is the self which standing, modification and prediction of learner's Singh for his book, "Bawa Jitmal". He along feelings, perceptions, memories, beliefs, and atti- Dr Gian Singh, a versatile writer and former tudes, and a unique set of regulatory patterns. These decides, using the power of intellect. More elaborate- behaviour and development of cognitive ability of the with other selected Indian languages writer ly, "Beyond the senses there are the objects, beyond learners.The access to 'unconscious mind" (Vedanta) Additional Secretary of J&K Academy of Art, will be honoured at a special ceremonial func- patterns shape the flow of energy and information Culture and Languages has bagged the Sahitya inside us, and we share them with other minds". the objects there is the mind, beyond the mind there is comes from some higher source known as Soul, tion at New Delhi shortly. the intellect, and the "Great Self" is beyond the intel- Atman or self, which makes invisible visible, unknown Akademi Award in Dogri for his book " Bawa Bold Initiatives (Gyatoso, 2002) Jitmal". The unique feature of this book is that People often confuse the brain with mind, even lect.(The Gita).Why? Consciousness or self is the seat known, and impossible possible. The mind can go Dr Gian Singh was born to Thakur Mangat of soul. How? In fact, Man (Self) the microcosm, is beyond logical and verified facts and can explore the it is in Dogri verses in eight episodes about Ram and Krishna Devi on January 24,1954 at though the brain and mind are two distinctively differ- story and struggle of the revolutionary farmer ent entities. For instance, the mind is "software," the resurrected from the Man (Supreme soul), the macro- unknown areas -subconscious- super conscious mind. Ghorari Jagir in Ramnagar tehsil in Jammu cosm; therefore to know man is to know the Universe; Super Learning: Since the mind is constant swirl of common known as Bawa Jitto. Many writers and Kashmir. He had schooling in the local mystical and mysterious product of all that we are. have written about this legendary farmer but The brain is "hardware," a bodily organ that requires therefore, man is the Measure of all things". Truth thoughts, ideas, and emotions, slowing down the "cen- High School, Ghorari and passed matriculation (rata) that is a world-order manifests itself in man and trifuge" even for few second can help learner feel more the present book under review is in Dogri vers- during 1971. Afterwards, he joined service in nutrition, rest, use, and proper medical care. Question es with new approach and treatment of the arises, what is the role of mind? What is the relation- society as dharma, moral law and social order; there- relaxed and leave him with a sense of clarity. the Health section of the Jammu Municipal Meditation generates 'alfa and theta brain subject matter. It is worth mentioning that in Corporation and worked there for nearly 11 ship between brain and mind? Why mind is called Bawa Jitto's memory grand fair is organised sensorium? How does external environment help in waves'. For those experienced in medita- years and in 1983, he was selected as Research tion, these waves appear right, while it every year at Jhiri near Jammu, winter capital Assistant in Dogri Dictionary unit of the J&K learner behavioural changes? How does experiential of Jammu and Kashmir learning support in developing cognitive ability of the might take half an hour for beginner to Academy of Art, Culture and Languages where experience them. These relaxing brain and very large num- learner? Is experiential learning and knowledge all ber people from self-discipline and character building? Is learning a waves are the ones that are activated right before we fall asleep or we lie in the sun or Jammu and lifelong process to gain knowledge, experience, pro- Kashmir as also fessional acumen and values?How brain, mind, peda- right after taking hot bath. There is apart in our brain called the central or periaque- from neighbouring gogy and external environment work in tandem to States of Punjab achieve the goals of life? ductal grey matter. It is connected to the orbitofrontal cortex which is responsible and Haryana take However, the nature of mindis difficult to under- part in it. stand because it is very subtle as well as hidden,there- in great part for nurturing behaviour. Compassion, empathy, love and affection, A distinguishing fore, it has beendefined in different ways. A mind that feature is that Dr knows how to continually regenerate itself might no justice, humility, and equanimity are vir- tual elements which strengthen 'theta Gian Singh has longer be locked into 'the old linear pattern of aging- attempted a com- degeneration- death'. Freud originally presented a wave' or 'brain limbic system'. There are also three quantum states of prehensive approach topographical model of mindand defined in terms of and new treatment has been imparted to Bawa conscious, preconscious, and unconscious.-conscious mind: the state of Ordinary Perception (OP); the state of Extra-Sensory Jitmal's illustrious life in poetic form and as the part of psychethat includesmaterial of focussing on his major contribution in farm whichone is fully aware, 'preconscious 'as the part of Perception (ESP); and the state of Extra- Ordinary Perception (EOP) which are sector. The treatment is different and also dis- psyche that includes material which is not at the tinct depicting the events in a new light and his moment within one's access but can readily be observed as stepping stone to super con- scious mind. It becomes easy to access contribution in social and farm sector. Another brought to the conscious mind, and 'unconscious' as merit of the book is its simple and stylish Dogri the part of psyche that includes material which is not data and ideas outside beyond conscious mind. That is why it is called a form of language. within one's awareness and which cannot readily be Prestigious Award brought to the conscious mind(Ewen,1980). Bandler universal or infinite intelligence. Sharma (2005) maintains thatscientists and The Sahitya Akademi, national institution renowned Dogri stalwart Prof Ramnath Shastri and Grinder (1979) explained thatthe conscious mind of literature, has announced recently the pres- is a whatever we are aware of at a moment, 'subcon- fore rata is natural order, both rooted in divine order. researchers working in the extra-ordinary perception was associated with this prestigious project. According to Vedanta "the richest soil, the soil of perhaps get something new in this state of intuitive tigious annual awards for different Indian lan- After complete compilation of the Dogri scious' mind is a whatever we are unaware at a guages and declared that award in Dogri lan- moment, and 'unconscious' as everything else beyond human mind lies fallow. If it could tilled well it would mind. Super-conscious mind thus refers to the state of Dictionary, he became Assistant Editor for yield golden crop, but since lies fallow, it yields bram- mind when we experience cosmic connectivity and guage and literature is for the 216-page book by Dogri publications and later elevated as Editor the access-otherwise as a whole, it is one.It is the con- Dr Gian Singh. It has been published by the scious part of the mind which does all the processing bles, thorny bushes and weeds. It is fact that achieving have good understanding, peace, wisdom and enlight- and subsequently posted as Chief Editor in the optimal function of brain's "pleasure pathway" is to enment.Koh(2004) there is only one super-conscious Usha Prakashan, 295, Janipur Housing year 2006 and still later promoted as of informationbecause it is logical, reasonable and can Colony, Jammu during the year 2018 and change its point of view at will. rebalance and replenish overall brain bio-chemistry. mind to which all our minds are connected It helps to Additional Secretary ( editorial ) and superan- Hippocampus, amygdala, and neocortexwork in tan- make good decisions since it has infinite selected by the Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi for nuated during January, 2012. We can understand mind intellectually either the year 2000. The Sahitya Akademi awards through its generic code or through experiential learn- dem to support the "Limbic System" of the brain. intelligence.It is the source of all true inventions. It is noteworthy that this youth from The brain, mind, and environment interact with Great innovators like Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein every year writers for their best book and hon- Ramnagar, worked very hard and forged ahead ing. It is conscious mind, which communicates with our them with a Shawl, Memento and cash each other in developing the cognitive ability of the have mastered the technique of receiving great ideas in life. While working and earning, he was subconscious and super conscious mind as one mind. prize at a ceremonial function at the Nation learner. The function of the brain is to filter the raw from the super- conscious Mind.It helps us achieve studying as well. He passed post-graduation in It perceives mental factors namely: feeling, discrimi- Capital. Dr Gian Singh has joined the galaxy of nation, contact, intention, and attention as significant information, store memories, transmit and retrieves our goals. Once we truly understand the super-con- Dogri and later completed his PhD (Dogri) memory when required. The role of mind is to send scious Mind Power, we will realise that success is not Doyens of Dogri writers who have got the variables which develop learner capacity to solve diffi- Sahitya Akademi Award. under the supervision of Prof Champa Sharma, cult problems and enhance the power of taking deci- signals to the brain. Environment provides opportuni- a function of luck. Head of the Dogri Department, University of ties, opens paths and platforms, and generates energy Moreover, scientist' enquiry or exploration is lim- In an exclusive interview, Dr Gian Singh sions. Objects ascertaining factors namely, aspiration, stated: " quite overjoyed over the announce- Jammu. firm apprehension, mindfulness, concentration and to accelerate theta 'waves' to achieve the best ited to reason and logic or conscious level. Literary Contribution results/outcomes. The mind interaction with exter- Subconscious mind is the domain of Mind and seat of ment of award to him and added that it is, in wisdom are driving force which prepare learner for fact, recognition of rich Dogri language, its lit- In addition to his official work, Dr Gian deep learning to fulfil his aspiration through virtual nal environment provides a space to positive energy to knowledge or self (Ataman). It goes beyond reason Singh began with his first book, SelkdaKall ( a transform individual attitude. Compassion, empathy, and logic or conscious level. It is a fact that the deep erature as well as honour for the Dogras. means. It builds character and makes life disciplined. collection of Dogri poetry) and made further altruism, intuition, yoga and meditation facilitate in knowledge is required to explore the unknown area. Expressing gratefulness to the Sahitya It is fact that, Mind is a "sensorium" which con- literary works including a play, Sah-bash sharpening memories especially retrieval of the stored (1999), "It is truth obtained by internal apprehension, Akademi, New Delhi, he said after the inclusion trols the senses. According to Vedanta, the mind is (mutual trust), wrote a volume on Dogra folk, data in the subconscious mind. Scientists and without the aid of perception or operation of reason- of the Dogri in the 8th Schedule of the Indian known as 'Antakarana'(internal instrument) which Constitution, Dogri language was registering one monograph on MohanlalSpolia ( recipient perceives through five sense organs-eye, ear, nose, researchers get something new only in this state of ing powers" (Swami Omkarananda, 1999). Scale intuitive mind. Super conscious mind thus refers to (2006) has rightly said, "Intuition is spiritual energy, speedy and steady progress. of Sahitya Akademi award in Dogri ) and also tongue, and skin and acts through five organs of Galaxy of Writers did translation in Dogri of the "Pavitar Koran". action-the organ of speech, the hands, the legs, the the state of mind when we experience cosmic connec- not psychic energy. Psychic energy is purely mental tivity and have good understanding, peace, wisdom energy, and limited to mental energy, while spiritual It is worthwhile to mention that the Sahitya Recipient of covetous Sahitya Akademi organ of procreation, and the organ of evacuation. Akademi, New Delhi started giving annually award in Dogri for the year, 2000, Dr Gian Thus, it recognises different functions of the mind. It and enlightenment. energy embraces the totality of the universe. Spiritual Mind processes, executes, controls and does meta- energy acknowledges that there is profound knowl- prestigious award to writers of Dogri language Singh has joined the galaxy of Doyens of Dogri assumes that all these functions are possible only for the best book starting from the year 1970 language who has enriched their mother- through the conscious mind. analyses beyond mundane- domain, scientifically lim- edge and wisdom available when we become one with and the first awardee in Dogri was Narendra tongue and contributed to the Indian litera- The power of consciousness is not built-in-charac- ited to reason and logic to spiritual domain of myth, "Spiritual or the Universal consciousness". We have Khajuria for his book entitled "Kala Ambar". ture. It is expected that he will continue his teristic of the mind. It comes from some higher source reality, and storytelling, There are two cognisors been learning to tune into our intuition which is natu- namely, direct valid cognisor & inferential valid cog- ral gift born in every one, but it becomes most effec- So far, the Sahitya Akademi has honoured pursuits more vigorously in literary and cultur- known as "Soul, Atman or self". Vedanta differentiates over 45 eminent Dogri authors for their contri- between mind and the self-the mind as an object nisor. These go beyond logical and verified facts or can tive in a person who is engaged in deep learning and al fields. explore the unknown areas -subconscious mind. meditation. bution to Dogri language and literature. The ([email protected]) When Shankaracharya sat at Sarvanjnanapeetham B L Razdan Kumarila Bhatta, the most leading exponent of the fearless exposition, his unshakable faith in the Vedas, and learning at Sharda Peeth in "Kashyapmir" aka Kashmir Mimansa school. However, Kumarila Bhatta being busy forceful arguments in the debate won him the day and meaning the Land of "Kashyap Rishi, the ascetic": Often we hear the delighting phrase: "From Kashmir to with a penance, directed him to his greatest disciple, Shankara emerged victorious. It is said that one of the cri- Renowned for producing thousands of erudite scholars Kanyakumari" as an assertion of India's unity and Mandana Misra, to debate the merits of their respective teria that helped Shankara prove his mettle was that while and philosophers. Long before the establishment of integrity. But, sadly, not many of us know that it was a lad beliefs. the garland of flowers worn by him remained fresh till the Oxford and other Universities in the West, here was a Having found Mandana Misra, Shankara told him end of the dabate, whereas the one worn by Mandana University of excellence run by extremely learned Pandits from South India, who unified India after re-establishing about the directions of Kumarila Bhatta. The former Misra had lost freshness pointing to his hot temper. and philosophers in almost all branches of human knowl- the faith of Sanatan Dharma which is holding its sway treated the latter with some disdain to begin with, and While Mandana Misra was obliged to become a disci- edge. An ancient volume "Shakti Sangam Tantra" has a reportedly hurled insults and invectives at Shankara. But ple of Shankaracharya, his wife and the judge, Sarasavani, stray reference to "Sharda Educational complex", where- through its length and breadth even today. Shankara was a picture of composure and calmness and would not agree to it. Her argument was that she was the in Kashmir is described as the Land from Sharda Complex replied to each and every insult and invective with classic "ardhangini" of Mandana Misra and that Shankaracharya to Keshara Parbat or "Saffron Hill" extending up to 50 Shivagiri and Aryadevi of Kaladi in Kerala were issue- tact and lingual finesse. The people in Mandana's house had defeated only half of Mandana Misra. Only if and yojana. less even several years after their marriage. They repaired soon sensed that Shankara was not an ordinary soul and when he would vanquish her in a separate debate, would The epic, Mahabharata, refers to Kashmir as "Kashmir a nearby Shiva temple and worshipped there with all their advised Mandana to offer him due respect. It is only after they both become his disciples. Shankara readily agreed. Mandala". The ancient History of India records that there heart. Shiva appeared in a dream to Shivguru and and their intervention that Mandana agreed to a debate with During the debate, however, Sarasavani asked sex related was a temple of "Goddess Sharda" in Kashmir and that asked him if he wanted a good son with a short life span Shankara. questions knowing fully well that he was a "sanyasi", who there was also a centre for providing education known as or a simpleton with a long life. Shivguru opted for the for- Mandana Misra, who was a house-holder had married had never even touched a woman. It was probably a ploy "Sharada Peeth", which had four doors facing four direc- mer and thus was born to the couple a child around 788 Ubhaya Bharati also known as Sarasavani, who was a to avenge the defeat of her husband. But Shankaracharya, tions, the East, the West, the North and the South. The AD. It was a precocious child. Shivguru died when the southern door had always remained closed as no one from child was just three years old. At age 5, the child was sent South had ever proved his credentials worthy enough as to gurukul and in three years the boy mastered all the sub- to be entitled to an entry from this door. Having defeated jects in the then prevalent curriculum and returned home, almost the entire intellectual elite of the South, the West where he served his widowed mother with devotion and and the East, Shankara went straight to the Southern spent his time in further study, teaching and scriptural door of Sharda Peeth and tried to physically open it. There discourses with the learned pundits. was a loud protest by the intellectuals present who told Shankara set out in search of a guru, whom he found him in no uncertain terms that to do so he had to first one in Govindacharya, a proponent of Advait Vedanta, in vanquish all the scholars there in matters of knowledge a mountainous cave on the banks of Narmada. Impressed and to win the highest hierarchal position of Acharya. by the earnestness and the brilliance, he ensured that Shankaracharya not only vanquished them all, but, more Shankara mastered Yoga, Vedanta and other systems and surprisingly, besides the right of entry, he also earned the became a knower of Brahman. The guru ordered him to right to sit on the "Sarvanjnanapeetham" or the Throne of go to Kashi (Varanasi or Banaras) and write commen- Wisdom. There is an interesting story behind this unusu- taries on the Hindu scriptures to re-establish Sanatan al feat of Shankaracharya that had puzzled the entire fac- Dharma. The brilliance of the young exponent of Vedic ulty of Sharda Peeth. religion soon attracted the attention of the scholars of the After having entered the Southern gate of Sharda time and were impressed by his erudition and scriptural Peeth, when Shankaracharya was about to sit on exposition. Many intelligent young men became his disci- "Sarvanjnanapeetham" or the Throne of Wisdom, a voice ples who helped spread his message of the superiority of from the sky attributed to Ma Sharda asked him to stop, the Sanatani faith. telling him that while his knowledge may have entitled Legend has it that once while going to the Ganges for him to the entry through the Southern door, this was not having a bath, Shankara found an outcast coming from enough to be eligible to sit on the throne and that one has the opposite direction with four dogs, obstructing his way. When he asked him to be out of the way, the outcast also to be pure for that purpose. She seemed to allude to retorted by asking him, "Whom are you asking to get the dalliance he had had with the young princesses that away, the body or the soul? The soul is pure and had apparently rendered him impure. Not to be cowed omnipresent. Is there any difference between the reflec- A still of Shardada Shrine down, Shankaracharya replied that everybody knew the tion of the moon seen in the Ganges or in a cup of wine? purpose for which he had done so and that no sin attached As for the body, it is inert; can it move away? Shankara to him. In any case, added he, what was being attributed great intellectual in her own right. She would equal her unfazed as he was, asked for a postponement of the to him, was not attributable to this body of his, which had had a close look at the outcast and saw that it was the husband in all branches of learning, ethical character and debate and just one month's time to prepare himself for Lord of Kashi, who had come in disguise to open his eyes. always remained pure and observed the sanyasa dharma strict observation of Vedic injunctions. While Sarasavani the debate to be resumed subsequently. Thinking that he to the hilt and that he was entitled to sitting on the throne He fell prostrate at His feet and instantly broke forth in a was supposed to be an avatara of goddess of learning, could hardly learn anything about the vast subject like highly Advaitic hymn, which later became famous as in this pure body, which had remained unblemished till Saraswati, Mandana Misra was supposed to be an avatara kama sutra in just a month, Sarsavani agreed. that moment. Maa Sharda, it is said, could not meet this Manishapanchaka or Five verses of wisdom. Eventually, of Brahma. Together, they made an incredible couple. It is said that Shankaracharya got the opportunity to Shankara became a formidable proponent of Advaita phi- argument and eventually relented. She saw reason in The debate took place on the condition that whoever transmigrate into the body of a young prince, who had what he said and permitted him to sit on losophy after vanquishing the most learned of men and would lose in the debate would become a disciple of the died while being surrounded by a host of his women philosophers in debates and discourses that would last "Sarvanjnanapeetham". victor and accept and follow his school of thought. friends. He advised his followers to keep a close watch on The Sharda seat of learning had so much impressed days on a stretch. Keeping the legendry impartiality of Sarasavani in view, his own body till he returned to it and in just one month he Legend also has it that Adi Shankara has squarely Shankaracharya that the very first verse of 'Prapanchsar' Shankara agreed that she could be the judge. The debate could learn each and everything about kama and expected- composed by him after returning to Shringeri, is devoted defeated one Mandana Mishra, a known proponent of spanned many days and ranged across many different ly, when the debate was resumed, he won hands down. Mimansa philosophy. It was customary in those times for to the praise of Sharada. The Sharada image at Shringeri Vedic topics and Upanishadic subjects, and the argu- Now it was only North India, which was still in the grip Sharadamba temple in South India was once said to have erudite people to debate the relative merits and demerits ments of both the debaters were compelling and forceful. of Buddhism, that Shankaracharya had to establish the of the different systems of Hindu philosophy. Shankara, been made of sandalwood, which had been carried by It was a feast of awe, devotion, humility and gratitude over-arching superiority of his philosophy of advaitavad. Sankaracharya from here. an ardent Advaita believer sought to establish the superi- overflowing in them. However, his flowery language, his And what better way than to take on the extremely ority of his belief and to do so he had sought out one (The author, formerly of the Indian Revenue Service, retired as lucid style, his rigid logic, his balanced expression, his learned Pandits and philosophers in the highest seat of Director General of Income Tax, Chandigarh)