MONDAY MUSINGS SEASON 2 - EPISODE 338
3rd November 2025
Root Cause Analysis of Degradation
For him who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, his mind will remain the greatest enemy. (Bhagavad Gita 6.6)
Mind is the cause of human downfall, but what is the root cause? Knowing the root cause will enable us to avoid degradation. Lord Krishna conducted a Root Cause Analysis of human’s downfall through slokas 2.62 & 2.63. Before that, let me explain briefly what #RootCauseAnalysis is.
Root Cause Analysis
We usually only see symptoms when we face issues. We cannot resolve an issue permanently by treating the symptoms. Need to identify the root cause to resolve an issue permanently.
#RootCauseAnalysis (RCA) is the process of identifying the causes and the root of the identified causes. RCA assumes that treating the root cause is much more effective to systematically prevent and resolve the underlying issue rather than just treating ad hoc symptoms.
Root Cause Analysis – Human downfall
What we usually cite as reasons for downfall are merely symptoms, not the root cause. Love Failure, Business Loss, Death of a near and dear, Excessive loan, etc are quoted as reasons for downfall. They are all symptoms. What are the causes, and how to find the causes?
#FiveWhysAnalysis
Five whys analysis is a simple technique to find out the root cause devised by Sakichi Toyoda, founder of Toyoto Industries. You can find the root cause simply by asking "Why?" repeatedly until you reach the core reason for the problem.
So, you can find out the root cause of the downfall by repeatedly asking ‘Why did this happen?’. That is what Lord Krishna did in 2.63 & 2.62. Let us start with 2.63.
क्रोधाद्भवति सम्मोह: सम्मोहात्स्मृतिविभ्रम: | स्मृतिभ्रंशाद् बुद्धिनाशो बुद्धिनाशात्प्रणश्यति || Bhagavad Gita 2.63||
Anger leads to clouding of judgment, which results in bewilderment of memory. When memory is bewildered, the intellect gets destroyed; and when the intellect is destroyed, one is ruined.
Four whys for the downfall are Loss of intellect, Memory loss, delusion and then anger. But it does not stop here. Why do we get angry? If we understand that we can avoid anger and eventually prevent the downfall.
Lord Krishna suggests that anger is the most dangerous enemy but there are other enemies, ie other causes of downfall as well and they are lust, greed, ego, attachment and envy. They are connected
ध्यायतो विषयान्पुंस: सङ्गस्तेषूपजायते | सङ्गात्सञ्जायते काम: कामात्क्रोधोऽभिजायते || Bhagavad Gita 2.62||
The sloka begins with dhyayat, which means "musings" or "thoughts." Excessive thoughts about sense objects are the root cause of the downfall.
While contemplating sense objects, one develops attachment to them. Attachment leads to desire, and from desire arises anger.
Attachment to the objects of the senses, i.e., sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste, is the root cause of downfall. It is ok to enjoy the objects of the senses. The issue arises only when our mind gets attached to the objects of the senses.
Attachment to the objects of the senses causes desire, and unaccomplished desires cause anger.
When we repeatedly contemplate that there is happiness in some object, the mind becomes attached to it. Now, the attachment seems relatively innocuous on its own. But the problem is that attachment leads to desire.
There are two possibilities here, but both possibilities are issues. Desire could get fulfilled or unfulfilled.
We develop greed when our desires are fulfilled, and unfulfilled desires result in anger.
Jimi pratilābha lobha adhikāī (Ramayan) [v54] “If you satisfy desire, it leads to greed.” Satisfying the desire is like adding ghee to the fire. Desire never gets quenched.
yat pṛithivyāṁ vrīhi-yavaṁ hiraṇyaṁ paśhavaḥ striyaḥ na duhyanti manaḥ-prītiṁ puṁsaḥ kāma-hatasya te (Bhāgavatam 9.19.13)
“If one person were to get all the wealth, luxuries, and sensual objects in the world, that person’s desire would still not be satiated. Hence, knowing it to be the cause of misery, an intelligent person should renounce desire.”
In this manner, we see how the simple act of contemplating the pleasures of sense objects leads to the twin diseases of greed and anger.
Root cause analysis of anger is not hypothetical. It is scientific. I shall explain the scientific explanation of anger as given in 2.63 in the next episode.
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#PositiveNewsPage
Adapted from newindianexpress.com
Art transcends all boundaries
Mother’s stifled dream found rhythm in her son’s feet. Despite whispers of “Why would a boy do Bharatanatyam?” and the barriers of faith and family, her passion became his purpose. From a modest home in Khammam to the world stage, Sheikh Janimiya inherited a legacy and, in mastering it, proved that art speaks a universal language.
Born into a low-income family in Khammam district, Janimiya’s father worked as a lorry driver, while his mother, Shaida Begum, is a homemaker. She had a deep love for dance but was unable to pursue it due to social and religious constraints. Determined that her passion should live on, she encouraged her son to take up Bharatanatyam, a classical art form rooted in Hindu traditions.
From a young age, Janimiya devoted himself to dance, undeterred by mockery and stereotypes. With discipline and perseverance, he mastered the form and transformed his childhood interest into a lifelong pursuit.
After moving to Hyderabad, he trained under Padma Shri Dr Ananda Shankar Jayant, whose mentorship helped him refine his technique, deepen his understanding and cultivate a profound respect for the spiritual and cultural depth of the art. His graceful performances soon earned him recognition on prominent stages across India and abroad.
“My family didn’t understand the spiritual discipline and depth this art form carries. I often questioned myself — does art really have a religion or caste as a barrier? I believe true art transcends all boundaries. Even honours like the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar are given purely for talent and dedication, regardless of faith.” Janimiya said.
While pursuing his PhD in Bharatanatyam at the University of Hyderabad (UoH), he gained wide recognition through performances at major national and international events.
Among his most memorable appearances was at the inauguration of Amaravati as the capital of Andhra Pradesh, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone. He has also performed at Ravindra Bharati in Hyderabad and several prestigious cultural platforms across India and abroad.
In addition to Bharatanatyam, Janimiya has trained in other classical dance forms, including Kuchipudi and Perini Shiva Tandavam. The California-based National Dance Education Organisation (NDEO) honoured him with a Professional Development Scholarship, making him one of the few Indian classical dancers to receive this recognition.
In gratitude to his guru, he founded the Anand Arts Academy, which now trains nearly 250 students in classical dance. He is also designing classical art courses for IB schools in Telangana to promote Indian art forms among younger generations.
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Conceived, compiled and posted as a weekly newsletter of positive and inspirational information #MondayMusings every monday by Jaganathan T (www.authorjaganathan.com).
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