Let Noble Thoughts Prevail

By: Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji

When I was in Bengaluru, I made it a point to visit two holy places around 100 kilometers away – Ghati Subramanya Kshetra and Viduraswatha. On the way we had to pass Larsen and Toubro factory abbreviated ‘L&T and I reminded them that it meant –‘Let Noble Thoughts…….’ Prevail.

For devotees of Sai Baba, it is essential to imbibe ‘Positivity’, which is faith in one’s ability, as the first step towards success in any endeavor. The mindset of a person determines the trajectory of his life because that is the genesis of all speech and action. Purification of the mind is the key to shaping a positive destiny. Today, we are beginning to realize the power of positive thinking, positive self-talk, and positive affirmations.

An ancient hymn in the Vedas, titled the Shiva Sankalpa Suktam, ‘The Hymn of Noble Thoughts’, is said to be the most ancient, authentic, and profound text on this topic. It is a short hymn of just six mantras, but its impact is life-changing. As more and more people suffer from depression and anxiety, the message of this text becomes more relevant today than ever.

Each of the six mantras of the hymn creatively describes the mind in an empowering way along with the powerful refrain at the end: “O my mind, have noble thoughts!”

Pray to your ‘Antaryamin’ Sainatha Prabhu – The first mantra highlights the incredible speed at which the mind moves. It describes the mind as the light of all lights, given that it is the essential sense in all sense organs and faster than even light.

Pray to your ‘Antaryamin’ Sainatha Prabhu -The second mantra states that it is because of the mind alone that brilliant men can perform rituals. Even the most sublime actions by the most brilliant people are possible only due to the mind. Thus, the mind is the root of all action.

Pray to your ‘Antaryamin’ Sainatha Prabhu -The third mantra makes it clear that the mind is the instrument that makes it possible to acquire any knowledge, whether mundane or spiritual. The mind is described as being of the nature of the light of immortality.

Pray to your ‘Antaryamin’ Sainatha Prabhu -The fourth mantra states that it is only through the mind that we can think in the present, brood over the past, and imagine the future. The mind is thus the creator of time, and it allows a person to create the story of his life.

Pray to your ‘Antaryamin’ Sainatha Prabhu – The fifth mantra states that even the knowledge of the Vedas, the highest knowledge, is possible only due to the mind. The mind is thus more sacred than even the Vedas, the most sacred texts.

Pray to your ‘Antaryamin’ Sainatha Prabhu – The sixth and last mantra inspires the mind to be a good charioteer that steers the senses in uplifting directions. It describes the mind as situated in the center of one’s being, that is, being the essence of one’s existence. It further states that the mind is free of old age. Not only does the mind not stop thinking when the body ages, but it keeps on working at the same lightning speed. This is an indicator of its infinite power.

We used to chant the Shiva Sukta mantra as many times as possible.

The human mind is the most powerful tool in existence. When its potential is tapped into, it can transform us into divine beings. By observing and repeatedly reminding oneself of the power of one’s mind, a person begins to realize its true value. Now he will not waste it on useless and negative thoughts. He will fill it with useful, positive, or noble thoughts, which will manifest as noble words and actions in the world. The next time you have a negative thought about yourself or anyone, tell it, “Our ‘Antaryamin’ Sainatha Prabhu- Control mind, Let noble thoughts prevail!”