In this section of three stanzas we get a description of the three types of “fortitude” (Dhriti).
Dhriti is that power within ourselves by which we constantly see the goal we want to achieve, and while striving towards it, Dhriti discovers for us the necessary constancy of purpose to pursue the path, in spite of all the mounting obstacles that rise on the way. Dhriti paints the idea, maintains it constantly in our vision, makes us steadily strive towards it, and when obstacles come, Dhriti mobilises secret powers within us to face them all courageously, heroically, and steadily. We shall use the term “fortitude” to indicate all the above-mentioned suggestions implied in the term Dhriti.
This secret fire in man that makes him glow in life and rockets him to spectacular achievements is not generally found in those who have no control over themselves and are voluptuously indulging in sensuous fields. A dissipated individual, who has drained off his energy through wrong-thinking and false-living, shall discover no Dhriti in himself. The subtle faculty of “fortitude” is being analysed and classified here, under the three main heads: the ‘good’ (Sattwic), the ‘passionate’ (Rajasic) and the ‘dull’ (Tamasic). But in all of them, it is interesting to note, Dhriti stands for “the constancy of purpose” with which every individual pursues his field of endeavour chosen for him, with his own “understanding” (Buddhi).
The constancy with which one steadily controls one’s mind and sense-organs and their activities, through single-pointed attention and faithful concentration upon a given point-of-contemplation, is the Dhriti of the Sattwic type.
Mind alone can control the organs-of-action (Karma-Indriyas) and the organs-of-perception (Jnana-Indriyas). To dissuade the organs-of-action and perception from their false pursuits of the ephemeral joys and the consequent dissipations, the mind must have some fixed source to draw its energies and satisfactions from. Without fixing the mind upon something nobler and higher, we cannot detach it from its present pursuits. Therefore, Krishna insists that Yoga is unavoidable.
With faithful contemplation upon the Self, the mind gains in steadiness and equipoise, peace and satisfaction, and therefore, it develops a capacity to rule over the sense-organs. But all these achievements are possible only when the inward personality can constantly supply a steady stream of Dhriti. Constancy in endeavour and consistency of purpose or “fortitude” that is expressed in any field of activity, becomes Sattwic Dhriti when constituted as described above.
WHAT IS RAJASIC ‘Dhriti’?
