Gyaneshwari -Sant Gyaneshwar
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Chapter-18
Release
Lord Shiva created the Milky Sea out of affection for Upamanyu; but this sea contained poison and so is not fit to be compared with this work. When the people sought protection from the sun, against the demon in the form of darkness, he gave them relief from their trouble; but while doing so, he made the people suffer from heat. The moon pours down moonshine to cool down the heat-stricken world; but how can we compare this work with the moon which has dark spots on it (1786-1790)? The work, which you saints have enabled me to compose, for the benefit of the three worlds, is peerless. It is due to your grace, that this sermon with music and singing (kirtana) has come to an end. All that remains to be done, is to render service to you. Now may the Supreme Self be pleased with the sacrifice in the form of this literary work and grant me this grace. May the wicked drop their evil ways and become inclined towards good deeds and may all beings develop friendship for one another. May the darkness in the form of sin in the world vanish and let there be the dawn of religious duty. May the desires of all beings be fulfilled (1791-1795). May the concourse of saints who shower auspiciousness on the universe appear and visit perpetually all beings on this earth. May these saints who are like walking wish-yielding trees, and the abodes of sentient philosophers’ stones or talking oceans of nectar, and who are like spotless moons or heatless suns be the constant kinsmen of all. In short, let all the three worlds be perfectly happy and may everyone desire to offer perpetual worship to the Primeval person (Brahman) and may those who follow the teachings of this work, have perfect happiness in this and the next world (1796-1880). Hearing these words, the Lord of the Universe said, “I grant you this grace”, at which Jnanadeva became very happy with this boon. In this Kali age, there is a holy and ancient place called Panchakrosha (Newase) on the southern bank of the river Godavari, in the state of Maharashtra, where dwells the goddess Mahalaya (also named Mohiniraja), who pulls the strings of the world. There rules most justly king Ramadevray, the crown gem of the Yadu race, who is the abode of all arts. At that time Jnanadeva, the disciple of Shri Nivrittinatha, claiming succession of discipleship from Lord Shiva, gave the Gita the garb of Marathi language (1801-1805). This beautiful dialogue, which took place between Lord Krishna and Arjuna occurs in the Bhishmaparva of the Mahabharata. It contains the quintessence of the Upanishadic knowledge and is the parental home of all shastras. It is verily the Manasa lake, which is resorted to by the swans in the form of ascetics of the highest order (Paramhansas). I, Jnanadeva, the disciple of Nivrittinatha, now declare that this eighteenth chapter, which is the pinnacle of the dialogue, ends here. May the religious merit of this work, bring full happiness day by day, to all beings in this world. Jnanadeva composed this commentary on the Gita in the (Shalivahana) shaka year 1212 and Sachchidanandababa became his reverent amanuensis (1806-1810). |
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