Bodh simply means “awareness,” “knowledge” or “understanding.”
There are two specific kinds of Bodh
Svayam + bodh → awareness of the self
Shatru + bodh → awareness of the adversary
Svayambodh gives you identity and purpose (your centre).
Shatrubodh gives you clarity about threats and boundaries (your surroundings).
Without self-awareness, you react from confusion; without worldly-awareness, you become open to manipulation.
There is a story from the Shanti Parv of the Mahabharata.
Deep in a great forest stood an enormous banyan tree. Its branches spread wide like a roof and its roots twisted deep into the earth. Many creatures lived there – birds, snakes, owls and small animals.
In a small hole near the tree’s roots lived a mouse named Palita. He was clever and cautious, always watching for danger. High up on one of the branches lived a cat named Lomasa. Lomasa was strong and swift and like all cats, he saw mice as food.
Every day, Palita kept a careful distance from Lomasa. He knew that if he came too close, the cat would pounce. And Lomasa, though he often watched the mouse, could never catch him because Palita was quick and alert.
One morning, trouble came to the forest. A hunter arrived with nets and traps. He climbed the banyan tree and spread a net among the branches. Sadly, Lomasa stepped into it and was caught. The more he struggled, the tighter the net became. He was trapped, helpless and frightened.
At the same time, Palita’s other enemies appeared. A hungry mongoose slithered near the roots and a sharp-eyed owl circled above. Both were looking for a meal – and Palita was the perfect target.
Palita peeked out of his hole and saw the scene: the cat tangled in the net, the mongoose creeping closer and the owl waiting in the sky. He thought quickly.
“The cat cannot hurt me while he is trapped,” Palita said to himself. “But if he dies or is carried away, I will lose my only chance of survival. The mongoose and the owl will have me for dinner.”
So Palita made a bold decision. He scurried up to the trapped cat and spoke.
“Lomasa,” he said, “we have always been enemies. But today, we share the same danger. If you promise not to harm me, I will gnaw through the net and set you free. And once you are free, you must protect me from the mongoose and the owl.”
Lomasa, desperate and trembling, agreed at once. “Yes, Palita! I swear I will not hurt you. Free me and I will guard you with my life.”
Without wasting time, Palita began to chew the thick ropes of the net. His small teeth worked tirelessly until, strand by strand, the net gave way. Finally, with a last bite, the net fell apart and Lomasa was free.
The cat stretched his limbs, relieved and grateful. At once, the mongoose and the owl, seeing the cat loose, slipped away into the forest. Palita was safe – for the moment.
Lomasa looked down at the little mouse with admiration. “Palita,” he said warmly, “you have saved my life. You are no longer my enemy but my friend. Stay close to me. We shall live together in peace.”
But Palita shook his head wisely. He kept a safe distance and replied, “Lomasa, we joined hands because we faced the same danger. That danger is now gone. You are a cat and I am a mouse. Our natures have not changed. I cannot trust you fully nor can I become your close friend.”
Lomasa was surprised. “But I promised! I am grateful to you. Why can’t we be friends?”
Palita answered calmly, “Gratitude is noble but nature is stronger. A wise mouse never forgets what a cat truly is. We helped each other in a time of need and that is enough. Now, I must return to my hole and you to your branch.”
And so, the cat and the mouse parted. They had saved each other’s lives but they did not pretend to be something they were not.
Palita had both his bodhs – Svayambodh as well as Shatrubodh – well developed. That’s why he thrived. Most humans don’t even know what is bodh, let alone develop it. Developing your bodh is extremely important, it helps you live your life well.
How does one develop bodh or awareness?
Meditation is the best way to develop bodh or awareness. As you meditate, your awareness – internal and external – increases. This leads you to start living your life on your own terms. A point comes where you see the difference for yourself. Before you were like a piece of driftwood in the sea, going wherever the waves took you. Now you are like a bird in the sky, flying wherever you want, using the natural currents in the air.
Start your meditation journey today.