Gyaneshwari -Sant Gyaneshwar
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Chapter-16
The Divine and Demoniacal Natures
become obliterated and no one is even aware that the whole world is covered with water; in the same way when the knower becomes one with the knowable object, ‘the state of knowing’ also ceases to exist and whatever remains, is the true nature of tranquility (136-140). A good physician treats a patient suffering from illness or mental anguish, without caring whether the patient belongs to his circle or is a total stranger, or one extricates a cow stuck in the mire, without pausing to see whether she is a milch-cow or a dry cow, or one saves the life of a drowning person, without asking him whether he is a brahmin or a shudra, or a gentleman does not look at a woman disrobed by a wicked person in a dense forest, until she gets properly dressed. In the same way, to those who have become addicted to despicable deeds, owing to ignorance, heedlessness or as a result of their past actions (141-145), he imparts his goodness and makes them forget the misery which afflicts them. He purges the deficiencies of those who come to him, by his glance and then looks at them with favour. Just as one offers worship to God and then fixes his mind upon him, or one sows the seed and goes to the field to protect the crop, or as one satisfies the guest and seeks his blessings, so he looks at others after making their deficiencies good, by his meritorious conduct. Not only this, but he does not taunt others for their foibles, and does not involve them in wicked deeds, nor does he point his finger at their short-comings (146-150). He uplifts the persons who are depraved, without taunting them for their weak points and he does not belittle them, by comparing them with noble men. This is the true sign of absence of slander and it is an easy means of transport in the journey towards liberation. Now compassion should be like this. Just as the moon on the full-moon night, does not distinguish between persons as great or small in making them cool, so he relieves the misery of a person in distress, without pausing to think, whether he is noble or mean (151-155). Is there anything in this world other than water, which perishes itself and saves the withering grass? So even if he has to give all, he relieves the suffering of a person and thinks it a small sacrifice. |
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