Gyaneshwari -Sant Gyaneshwar
|
|
Chapter-17
Three Kinds of Faith
Arjuna Said: 1. Those who, laying aside scriptural rules, offer sacrifice full of faith – what is their standing, O Krishna? Is it one of purity (satva), passion (rajas) or darkness (tamas)? O Lord, who are dark-coloured like a leaf of tamal tree (Laurus Cassia) and the embodiment of Supreme Brahman, manifest to the senses, your speech has raised some doubts in my mind. How did you say, that no one can attain salvation without strict adherence to the scriptures (3135)? Many persons may not find suitable time, place, a teacher and other facilities, for the study of the scriptures or as a result of their past deeds, possess the necessary intelligence to study them. For these reasons, some men’s study of scriptures may come to a stop or some may give it up, as they have no flair for it (36-40). Still they, longing to be like those who have performed actions as laid down by the scriptures and enjoyed happiness in the next world, would like to follow their path. O Gracious Master, just as a child copies letters after seeing them in a lesson or a blind person goes behind one with good sight walking ahead, so they regard as authoritative, the conduct of persons proficient in all scriptures and follow their path in full faith. They perform the worship in great faith, of gods such as Lord Shiva, give liberal gifts of lands and perform sacrifices such as offering daily oblation to the fire (agnihotra). Tell me, O Supreme Person, the fate of such persons, whether it is sattvic, rajasic or tamasic (41-45). Then spoke Lord Krishna, the Lord of Vaikuntha, who is like pollen in the lotus in the form of the Vedas, in whose shade this universe subsists, who is kala (Time), endowed with great dignity and majesty and with power through which all virtues receive acclaim, who is one without a second, mysterious and blissful,
|
 |
