Reflections on Thirukkural 661: 🏔️Firmness of Mind - All else is else

“Firmness of action is firmness of mind -

All else is else.” ( Thiruvalluvar)

This couplet highlights the inseparable connection between the power of the mind and the power to act. A clear, committed, focused, and steady mind leads to effective actions, while a wavering mind results in inconsistent and erratic effort. By mastering your mind, you master your energy and actions, shaping both the impact of your efforts and the fulfillment you experience.

Firmness of mind starts with clarity of purpose and core values. This clarity serves as a compass, guiding your decisions and defining your priorities. Cultivating a still mind is essential to hear your true voice, distinguishing between the noise of the world and the authentic desires that arise within. When you are still, clarity will emerge.

The second attribute of a firm mind is wholehearted commitment. Knowing your priorities is not enough; commitment transforms clarity into action. A totally committed mind eliminates doubt, internal conflict, and hesitation, enabling decisive action. Fully choosing a path is both the hardest and most important step. It requires courage and forms the foundation of true fulfillment. As the Bhagavad Gita (18.47) reminds: “It is better to do one’s own dharma, even though imperfectly, than to do another’s dharma, even though perfectly.” Fully choose what makes your eyes shine and do it with total involvement, for compromising on your true path breeds emptiness, unhappiness, depression, and lack of fulfillment in life. Do not waste your life!

A firm mind is steady and focused. Once your priorities are clear, direct your energy toward them, avoiding distractions that drain and scatter your energy. Master your awareness by consciously choosing where to focus, disengaging from what does not serve your purpose. As the saying goes, "Where awareness goes, energy flows." Let go of what does not align with your priorities, and concentrate on what truly matters. Whatever challenges arise on your chosen path, stay unshaken and strong, and continue moving forward. For anything to grow, you must invest sufficient energy into it. Your life is shaped by where you direct your energy.

Firmness of mind and action are inseparable. A steady, focused, and committed mind transforms clarity into decisive, consistent actions. Without this alignment, actions lack direction and impact. Firmness of mind provides the discipline and resilience needed to act with purpose and conviction, even in the face of challenges. Master your mind, and you will master your energy and actions—and, ultimately, your life.

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📚✍️Written over 2000 years ago in Tamil Nadu, the Thirukkural offers timeless wisdom on the art of living through its 133 chapters, each containing profound insights on life. For English translations, I use both Dr. M. Rajaram's 'Thirukkural – Pearls of Inspiration' (Rupa Publications) and Kannan’s translation available at thirukkural133.wordpress.com .

This beautiful translation of Thirukkural 661 comes from Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma. Dr. M. Rajaram’s translation of the same verse is as follows: "Firmness in action is but robust mind All others are not of that kind." Kannan's translation is "Execution focus lies in the resolve of the mind; all else is secondary."

Bibliography

Pruiksma, Thomas Hitoshi. The Kural: Tiruvalluvar's Tirukkural. Beacon Press, 2021. Kindle Edition.

M. Rajaram. Thirukkural - Pearls of Inspiration. Rupa Publications, 2023.

Kannan. Thirukkural in English. thirukkural133.wordpress.com