Vallalar in his Deiva Manimalai says his mind is like a playful, distracted boy. Just as a boy does not pay attention to his teacher, the mind too does not heed its guru — namely the intellect. Vallalar then describes all the dangerous things this boy, that is his mind, does. Unable to curb desire, the mind falls into kama, which is like swirling water from which a person cannot save himself. In other words, kama is like the deep water in a river, which ends a person’s life. Moha is the darkness into which the mind moves. Miserliness is the dark cave into which it disappears. Arrogance is the hill it climbs, only to fall from it. Jealousy is the pit into which it falls. “With such a mind, that cannot be controlled, what am I to do, oh Muruga, who resides in Kanda Kottam?” Vallalar asks. Kanda Kottam is the temple for Lord Shanmukha, to whom the entire Deiva Manimalai is addressed, said M.A. Manickavelu in a discourse.
Thayumanavar says the mind is a monkey. If he were to be under the control of the mind, he would be like a garland in the hands of a monkey — torn to bits in no time at all. Lord Siva is the One who saves us from such a plight. When will I serve at Lord Siva’s feet, asks Thayumanavar. Keeping the mind still is not easy to achieve, but it is stressed as the first step in spiritual enlightenment. Sivajnana Sithiyar says if we cultivate good habits, get rid of bad qualities like anger, if we worship Lord Siva with flowers and prayers, He will bless us. So, His blessing clearly comes only to those who have shed bad qualities. In order to get rid of bad qualities, the mind must be controlled. That is what Vallalar is pointing out in his verse.
When the mind is a disobedient child, how can we control it? Only with His grace can we conquer temptations.
