Article

BUDDHI-THE INTELLIGENCE

What is it? How to enhance it?

Dr. Ranvir Pahwa, PhD

Buddhi, the intelligence is the faculty of the brain which collects knowledge,  attributes and qualities of all aspects and objects of the universe, and  then screens, dissects and analyzes them with total reasoning, logic and discrimination, ultimately, projecting definite and decisive conclusions.
Some of the Sanskrit language synonyms for Buddhi (intelligence) are: dhi, pragya, mati, manisha, preksha, uplabdhi, medha, smriti etc.
(Word Buddhi and intelligence has been used alternatively here)

Business of the Buddhi (Intelligence)

1. Intelligence increases the discriminatory powers in a meditator.
2. Buddhi helps to control erupting thoughts during meditation.
3. Suppresses the emerging thoughts to help perceive the meditator the moments of tranquility.
4. Intelligence activates the consciousness (the pure Chitta).
5. Buddhi prevents consciousness from smoging and Dhayana (meditation) from deviation.
6. Intelligence gets entangled in afflictions and negatives, but detangles through its inherent ability, and analytical powers.
7. Buddhi guides the soul and works as an advisor.
8. It leads us to a correct path of life.
9. It is an element which offers heartfelt affections and is extremely helpful.
10. It is said without Buddhi the conscious person is like a blind in this active and creative world.

How to charge Buddhi?

Buddhi, the intelligence can be charged by following ways.

1. During the state of Dharna (concentration and focus; the sixth limb of the Yoga), one can bring Buddhi to a refined and peaceful steady state.
2. Breathing exercises (Pranayama) and Asanas (Yoga Poses) keep intelligence happy and healthy.
3. Some herbs also improve intelligence, such as brahmi, ginkgo and gotukola.
4. Additionally, mantra meditation and chanting during prayers (prarthana) is considered to improve intelligence.

The following mantras are mentioned below and explained.

(i) Chanting of OM (AUM) is recommended. OM denotes the presence of GOD. OM is primordial sound. All the four Vedas praise the OM. It also means that GOD is a complete protector. OM can be chanted in heart as well as sang loud in a quiet and tranquil place.

The four Vedas are Rig-Veda, Yajur-Veda, Saam-Veda and Atharva-Veda. Vedas are the oldest books of religion (Dharma).

(ii) Gayatri mantra is recited to enhance Buddhi, the virtuous intellect. Consciously meditate its meaning and sense, which is mentioned below. This can be chanted during prayers (Puja, Prarthana and Sandhya) and meditation. This mantra has appeared in all four Vedas as above.

The Gayatri Mantra follows below-
Om! Bhur, bhuvah, suvah. Tatsavitur varaniyam bhargodevasaya dheemahee dhiyo yo nah prachodayat. (Yajurveda, 36/3)

The mantra is preceded by three sacred expressions. The Maha-Vayahrtis – the utterances. The mantra belongs to the Gayatri class of meter in Sanskrit prosody, which is composed of 23 - 24 syllables excluding Vyahritis i.e. Bhur, Bhuvah and Svah. The mantra is also sung.

The Gayatri mantra protects the one reciting from ill intentions and offers virtuous intellect.

Traditionally, the great Indian Seer (Rishi) Vishvamittre, popularized this mantra. The invocation of it leads to supreme intellect, the best gift to man by our lord, to whom we owe our birth.

In India when a child at the age of eight goes to the Guru, the preceptor, at a sacred thread ceremony initiates his learning with the Gayatri mantra. This marks the beginning of education. Due to this occasion Gayatri mantra has been coined the “Guru Mantra.” In addition the subject matter of this mantra is a divine aspect. The Savita (divine), thus the verse is also called Savitri.

Moreover, the mantra is also called a “Maha (great) Mantra” and “Buddhi (intelligence) Mantra”. This is because we see the importance of mantra in our lives.

The chanting of sacred mantra is not superstitious and miraculous. Its sanctity lies in its appeal to the divine intellect which we all have received through the grace of God.

Word Meaning of the Gayatri Mantra

Om = the almighty God, bhuh = because he being life of life, or the life breath of all creatures, or dearer than even the life itself, or he protects us through Prana, the energy giver, bhuvah = the remover of all evils and pains or protector from all the pains, and svah = the motivator of the universe; alternatively, because he being all bliss and is giver of bliss to his devotees. Tat = that, savituh = the impeller, the creator of all worlds and universe, the illuminator of the all the luminous bodies, varenyam = excellent, bhargah =   splendour, beauty, a divine embodiment, devasya = the divine, the bestower of the bliss, dhimahi = perceive, dhiyah = intellectual faculties to follow the virtuous path, yah (yo) = the one, he, the God, nah = our, prachodayat = induct us, or direct.

Alternatively, the first part of the mantra can also be explained as: bhuh which is existing, and has a hold (sat), bhuvah is the consciousness (chitta), and the svah is called the bliss (Ananda). Ultimately Almighty is announced as Satchittanada.

Purport
Almighty, the God, who is the life of life and the protector, being all bliss and giver of bliss to the devotees. To the creator of the universe, the illuminator of all the luminous bodies; the giver of wisdom and wealth we establish in our hearts as our Lord. We concentrate in our hearts, the excellent attainable, thinkable quality and power of the God, who is desired by all and predominating, pure and sanctimonious by nature. Who also destroys of all sorts of pains. May he lead our intellects and actions towards excellent quality, acts and nature. For this purpose only the Lord of the universe should be eulogized, prayed and premeditated.

One of the great Vedic Scholars of India said about the Gayatri Mantra:            
It is the supreme intellect that alone would help you in this probe. The more you probe today and tomorrow will be happier.

And hence recite the Gayatri ----
“May we imbibe in ourselves,
The choicest effulgence,
Of the divine creator,
That he evokes our intellects.”
-Swami Satya Prakash Saraswati