We are commencing this post serial based on the spiritual grantha Manache Shlok—The Disciplines of the Mind—composed by Sant Samartha Ramdas Swami. India


“Salutations to Lord Ganesha, master of all virtues,
Primordial beginning even of the formless beginning.
We bow to Saraswati, root of the four modes of speech;
The path is manifold and infinite in the way of Rama.”
Let us begin this divine work with a salute to the universal powers, the five great energies: water, fire, wind, earth, and space. Alongside, we bow to Goddess Saraswati, source of voice and wisdom, who manifests through the four centers of speech:
– Para – emerging at the navel knot.
– Pashyanti – pulsating in the sky of the heart.
– Madhyama – forming at the vocal center.
– Vaikhari – expressed as words and speech, born of the union of the subtle forms.
This invocation prepares the mind for discipline, aligning it with reverence before the journey begins.
Begin every effort with reverence – salute wisdom before seeking discipline.
This first shlok is gentle advice to the mind: begin with reverence. Salute Ganesha, who clears obstacles and embodies virtue. Honor Saraswati, source of wisdom and speech. Recognize that the path of Rama—the way of discipline and devotion—is vast and infinite, yet accessible through reverence and alignment of the mind.
Practical Advice to the Mind.
Remember Ganesha: clear obstacles by cultivating virtue and steadiness.
Honor Saraswati: let speech arise from purity, not from haste or pride.
Recognize the vastness of the path—walk it step by step, without fear.
Keep humility at the threshold; reverence steadies the first step of every journey.
“The mind travels best after bowing—reverence steadies the first step.”

