SatyaKamah and SatyaSankalpa (True Desires and True Will)

Ever wondered why different people are drawn to do different things?

Reading Chandogya Upanishad Chapter VIII, section 1, I came across a very interesting and revealing answer. It inspired me to write my thoughts as I am trying to understand these ancient writings. 

In short, Chapter VIII builds up the background and the existence of eternal Desire and eternal Will in us, something like this….

In this small lotus like dwelling ( lotus like dwelling often refers to heart area) that is within the city of Brahman, there is a small space (In Sanskrit it is called Aakash). This space within the heart is as vast as the space outside. 

Here Upanishad makes no difference between Brahman itself and the city of Brahman.

In this true city which is Brahman itself Desires are located. 

In this city of Brahman or (Brahman itself) exists True Desire and True Will. SatyaKamah and SatyaSankalpa.

As people in outside world follow the command of a ruler and within his rule they choose the area that they live in and go about their lives. Same way the desires existing in this space ( here the Upanishad uses the word Atma for this space) are sought out by that soul. The Divine will or SatyaSankalpa that exists in an individual soul guides us to fulfill those desires. Our desires in outside world seem to reflect this innate Desire and Will of our soul. Accordingly we are drawn to seek different interest and activities.

Bhagavad Geeta attributes seeking of desires and actions to our Swabhava ie our innate nature. Our Swabhava is made up of three guna- Satya, rajas, and tamas. We act under the influence of one of these guna. Sometime these guna overlap in different quantity, hence we work simultaneously according to their presence.

Two different ways of explaining one very complex yet very fundamental principle of life. Why we drawn to do something that we like and derive enjoyment from it. In its own mystical way Upanishad sheds a light on it while leaving much to be questioned, pondered and to be contemplated.

In today’s scientific world I wonder if these things are explained through genetics! As we often hear! All is in our Genes!

Savita Tyagi

Note:  I find Chandogya Upanishad very interesting. I like the word eternal better than True while translating SatyaKamah and SatyaSankalpa. 

 

A Miraculous Chain

Desire is the most miraculous chain of all,

Bound by it one runs around constantly,

Freed from it one sits like a cripple!

An ancient Sanskrit proverb.

Being With Self

Inspiration Tearoom & Eatery is a lovely place in Edmond with tropical settings and a gift shop attached to it. I always wanted to check it out but found it closed every time I tried. Thanks to an early appointment, visited it yesterday. 

Enjoyed tea served old fashion way in a little pot! Brought back some childhood memories. 

Nothing much have changed now either.

My husband was never fond of tea so mostly I drink my morning tea alone after dropping kids to school and him off to office.

Besides some peace and calm much more goes with the ritual of tea.

A time to be with your own thoughts, or planning for the day’s activities or connecting with the world through modern communication means.

Tea time involves all that!

Back home with tea my father used to read the news paper in a rhythm like he was reading poetry. Like he was grasping the rhythm of life through those words. After all Word or ‘OM' as said in Sanskrit or ‘Logos’ as said in Greek is the first expression or creative order of life. 

Today also I drank my tea alone, in a slow rhythm, at that lovely place.

Beautiful flowers and tall trees were in the view,

But no chirping of birds! some thing that I can hear sitting in my back yard,

Or the memory of my father’s rhythmic reading to draw me to the past,

Or the sound of living room T.V. to snatch my attention.

All of it was absent but a quiet pleasurable moment of drinking tea with a subdued chatter of fellow tea drinkers around me. 

Savita Tyagi

4. 26. 2025 

The Final Script

 Life is a rough draft.

We have right to make amends,

Or add new stories,

But never a right to read final script.

Healing

Heart still cries!

Time may be called the biggest healer

Yet grief doesn’t abide with time limits.

In a sudden downpour it lashes out,

Tears swell, and pain pervades  

The each breath that I take.

Wandering in the valley of grief

Mind sets its dwelling time.

In the hours of solitude

Merciless it tortures the heart,

Like a cruel nightmare 

Out from abyss circling the darkness!

A sweet dream like a ray of sunshine

Comes to rescue……

Memories of good times linger

A protective shield to hold on to.....

At the depth of my heart

Pain and pleasure move 

side by side.

Tiny fishes floating under surface water!

 

Like a blossoming bud

Struck by a sudden ice storm

Is the story of joy-

Next to the story of sorrow

Being swept by fragrant spring breeze!

Savita Tyagi

3.18. 2025