Gyaneshwari -Sant Gyaneshwar
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Chapter-17
Three Kinds of Faith
14. The worship of gods, teachers and wise men, cleanliness and straightforwardness, continence and non-injury, are called the austerities of the body. His feet are occupied throughout the day in visiting the temple of his favourite deity or undertaking pilgrimage. His hands are ever engaged in decorating the precincts of a temple, or gathering the articles required for worship or rendering other services to Me. When he sees the linga of Lord Shiva or the image of Lord Vishnu, his body prostrates itself before it, like a stick, which drops down on the floor. He serves the Brahmins who have, through their virtues, such as learning, humility etc., have become worthy of respect (201-205). He brings happiness to those who are in distress, because of fatigue of travel or adverse circumstances. He waves his body in the service of his parents, who stand foremost among all holy places. He renders service to his Guru, who imparts knowledge out of compassion and grants relief to those who see him, from their fatigue due to the worldly existence, which is difficult to cross. He burns in the fire of his religious duties, the alloy of body-consciousness, by giving coatings of yogic practices. With the full knowledge that the Supreme Self abides in all beings, he bows to them. He is always ready to bestow favours on others and restraining his senses, he avoids meeting with women (206-210). His only contact with a woman was at the time of his birth, but after that he avoids such contact and remains clean all his life. He does not walk over green grass knowing fully well, that there is life in all things and avoids breaking things. In this way, when the activities of his body remain pure, then know that his austerities of body, have become perfect. O Partha, when all such things take place in relation to his body, I call them austerities of the body. I have thus told you the characteristics of the austerities of the body. Now hear about the austerities of speech, which are flawless (211-215).
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