Madamast

Being thrown off-balance is an un-Yogic sign

- Dr. Hansaji J. Yogendra

The point is that by continuously making efforts, understanding increases slowly and gradually. Sometimes a human being gets into a situation which, in yoga, is called as Madamast. It’s like an elephant which gets drunk and then moves around in that crazy, uncontrollable mood, running in all directions, snatching from here and there, and enjoying. This kind of a situation comes about where total control is lost. Becoming Madamast after drinking alcohol is a phenomenon. There can be an addiction or obsession for money, obsession for getting knowledge, etc. Then a person is no longer in a learning state. He is very much into, “I know it, you don’t have to tell me; do this, do that.” This is the kind of state that the mind gets into; an intoxicated mood. We have to be aware and alert about these things. They are our enemies. It is said they are Ripus (enemies) and we have to protect ourselves from them because then one tends to overdo things.