Kannadasan – A Realized Master (Part 9)

Kannadasan was a psychology expert. Coming back to his songs, he says that the human mind is the culprit which creates trouble in interpersonal relationships. In Film: Police Karan Magal, song, “Kannile Neer Etharku, Kaalamellam Azhuvadharku” he points to the misery manufacturing role of the mental machine: 

“Why say anything sad 

For those with a heart” 

If observed deeply, an out-of-control monster called the human mind creates havoc in our lives, always judging, criticizing, labelling, classifying, contradicting and cursing. See the fact, an unobserved mind is a reckless danger to owner and others around. In real life, this is how, the unmonitored minds start categorizing, differentiating, condemning, etc. by creating ‘us vs them’ conflict. In societies, various interest groups, be from religion or from politics, drive this wedge deeply so we emotionally get charged when 'our' mental positions are threatened. An educated and intelligent adult must always ignore the noisy interpretations of the mind which will naturally be laced with emotions, but one must rationally choose to think in an unbiased manner.

In another famous song “Satti suttathadaa.. kai vittadhadaa”, (Film: Aalayamani) Kavignar highlights the two sides of the human mind:

“The pot burned, and the hand recoiled;

Judgment failed, yet the heart was deeply stirred.

Only after all had come to pass did I discern the good from the bad.” 

“In one half of my mind, the Divine dwelt and watched;

In the other, a beast held sway and drove my actions”

In his book, “Predictably Irrational”, Dan Ariely decodes the humans’ vulnerability in falling for temptation. To quote the author, “We have Mr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde inside ourselves, the good and bad men…. (Funnily), just when we plan to exercise regularly (for good health), we find a reason to sit all day in front of the television. And for the diet? I’ll take the slice of chocolate cake and begin the diet in earnest tomorrow.” That ‘tomorrow’ never comes!

“But that driving beast has now been subdued.

The soul that existed before birth has returned today;

The peace that comes only after death has settled upon me now.”

[My friend Muthukumar raved over the phone about the magnificent 'expressions' displayed by 'Nadigar Thilagam' in the final lines on screen. I wrote this simply because the editor would be upset if I didn't! Beyond that, there is a vast ensemble of actors, playback singers, and music composers—all of whom deserve our respect. Reading about them would certainly be entertaining. However, mention the names Sivaji or MGR, and a debate over personalities inevitably arises—sparking a rivalry that traces back to the ancient clash between Shiva and Ramachandran (Vishnu), and extends through MSV vs. Ilaiyaraaja and Kamal vs. Rajini, all the way to the Vijay vs. Ajith face-off. The restless mind tends to wander, and we often label things as 'like' or 'dislike', 'right vs wrong', 'good vs bad' and 'want vs don't want' dichotomy mentioned earlier; so, let us rein in that wavering mind and immerse ourselves instead in the genius of the 'King'—Kannadasan].

Kaviyarasar in his following song aptly captures the human condition (Film: Thai Pirandhaal Vazhi Pirakum) (“Aasaiye Alaipoley..”):

“Desire is like the waves—and we all

Are like boats upon them,

Drifting and dancing through our lives...

In life, sorrow is the income, happiness the expense, and existence but a dream;

Who here can fathom the calculations ordained by Time?”

Coming back to where we started, in ‘Kelvi Piranthathu Andru’ song, Kannadasan, also gives solution for the nagging mind’ and the conflicts it creates, in the following lines (“Kurai Theriyaamal Uravu Kondaley Vaazhuvum Suvaiyaakum”): 

“Life becomes delightful when we bond

without dwelling on flaws...” 

Also, he takes it to next level in the following lines from film “Vasantha Maalihai” (“Kalaimahal kaiporuley..”) 

“Oh, cherished treasure of Kalaimagal (Saraswathi Veena),

Is there no one to heed you? 

Heaven and hell lie within our own minds.

Let your heart listen to what I say.”

Most of the sages if Indian and Western origin confirm this that heaven and hell are NOT physical places upstairs, but they are environments created by our own minds.

Kavignar comes up with this ultimate truth in spirituality as far as mind is concerned, that the World is created by the mind. (Film: Avanthaan Manithan) (“Aatuvithaal yaaroruvar aadaadhaare kanna” song: 

“If You make them dance, who would not dance, O Kanna?

Who would not dance in the cradle of desire, O Kanna?

I, too, am a part of the drama You stage.

 The world exists within the heart, my dear;

I have realized this truth—

And all sorrow shall vanish.”

“Whatever is happening is ONLY happening inside your head”, says Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev. You may ask: There's so much happening in the world/universe? Yes, what happens, happens, outside of you in the world/universe. But our brain continuously interprets/narrates 'every input' it receives and creates our own versions of the reality.

Western Philosopher, Socrates said in Plato's Apology that “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Let us now examine “Reality and human perception” In his extraordinary book, “Deviate”, Beau Lotto says, “As long as we separate us and the outer world, our interpretation will continue.” To realize that there is NO outside world and everything is generated on our smokescreen of 'I am', we need to turn inwards, say Indian Spirituality. Hence in Tamil, God is called 'kada' 'vul' (turn inwards). In Jaggi's words, 'In' is the way 'out'. J. Krishnamurti says differently that 'You are the world'. Then what do we have ‘to do’? We have nothing 'to do'. Also, JK advises 'Just Be!' Mind creates the world. So, mind your mind is the advice of our own spiritual master, Kannadasan.

I can hear you saying, "Sir, why do you keep playing only sad songs and philosophical tracks? There are so many romantic songs—play something like 'Aayirathil Oru' or 'Ore Oru Paattu' (Only one in Thousand).

“A song, just one song...

A song, one single song...

In the pages and in the script,

Just one single song...

Writing it brings a sense of trance—

Just one single song...

 Let's go ahead and include the song the lover sings while thinking of his beloved in the next episode...

-J Jeyes (www.jeyes.in)