Teachings
The Value of Steadfastness (part 2)
Sant Jnaneshvar's commentary of the Bhagavad Gita reveals deeper meanings of steadfastness.
Steadfastness signifies a mind that is undisturbed by physical activities.
A steadfast mind remains calm even when the body is active. It monitors distractions and immediately brings the mind back to the task in hand or the object of meditation. Steadfastness and alertness result from long practice and detachment from anything that might weaken the mind. Says Swami Vivekananda, "Hear is the test of truth-anything that makes you weak physically, intellectually, and spiritually, reject as poison; there is no life in it, it cannot be true." A steadfast mind helps us remain one-pointed in our spiritual quest. The face is the mirror of the mind. In the words of Swami Turiyananda, "One test of steadfastness of mind is the steadiness of look. As soon as the mind gets steady, the look also gets steady. No more is there any restiveness in one's look and movements." An uncontrolled mind, on the other hand, is restless by nature, fickle, and obstinate. It randomly dwells on the past or future, but rarely on the present. Reveling in fantasies and daydreams, it dissipates our precious energy, robs us of the power of discrimination, weakens our will, and is unable to concentrate on anything noble and helpful to spiritual life. Such restlessness of mind creates restlessness of the body. No quality work can be expected of such a wayward mind.
A steadfast seeker is not distressed by calamities and miseries.
The world is characterized by dualities: pleasure and pain, praise and blame, success and failure, and so on. They always come in pairs. Says Swami Vivekananda, "Happiness presents itself before man, wearing the crown of sorrow on its head. He who welcomes it must also welcome sorrow." A steadfast seeker looks upon calamities and miseries as occasions to turn to God in prayer for devotion and strength to bear them. The Pandavas' noble mother Kunti braved innumerable ordeals in her life. Here is her unique supplication to Sri Krishna: "O World Teacher! May disasters befall us always at every stage. For it is in such situations that we feel your presence, a vision that bestows freedom from rebirth," (Bhagavata, 1.8.25)