Gyaneshwari -Sant Gyaneshwar
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Chapter-3
Karmayoga
14. Creatures live by food, food is produced by rain; rain is caused by sacrifice, and sacrifice arises from action. 15. Know that the ritual has its origin in the Veda, and the Veda originates from the Imperishable. The all-pervading Veda is, therefore, ever established in sacrifice. All creatures grow on food, and food is produced by rain. Rain arises from sacrifice, sacrifice from action and action from the Vedas (131-135). The Vedas spring from the imperishable Brahman, and therefore this moving and stationery world is based on Brahman. The foundation of sacrifice based on action is thus the eternal Veda. Bear this in mind, O Arjuna. 16. Whoever on earth does not keep turning the wheel thus set in motion leads a sinful life, gratifying his senses and lives in vain, O Partha. O Partha, I told you briefly the origin and tradition of sacrifice. Therefore, whoever being infatuated with his wealth, does not perform in this world his duty as sacrifice, is a great sinner. Know him to be a burden on this earth because he has pampered his senses by committing wicked deeds (136-140). His birth and actions, O Arjuna, are barren and unproductive, even like untimely clouds which do not produce rain. If a person does not perform his duty, know that his life is worthless like the teat hanging from the throat of a goat. Therefore no one should abandon his duty; on the contrary one should resort to it with his heart and soul. Look, when one acquires a body (according to his past actions) work follows as a matter of course; then why should one avoid one’s legitimate work? O Arjuna, he who loathes work even after acquiring a body is boorish (141-145). |
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