Gyaneshwari -Sant Gyaneshwar
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Chapter-9
The Esoteric Knowledge
In this world the moon wanes and the sun rises, only to set; and misery torments the world in the guise of happiness. Rot overtakes an auspicious thing even before it starts, and death stalks the womb to seize the fetus. While man is brooding over trifles, he is suddenly snatched away by death and taken to an unknown place. No one has seen the return of footprints of those who have departed. The Puranas are full of only stories of the dead (501-505). One cannot do justice to the impermanence of this world, even if one were to talk about it till the end of Brahma’s life. One is surprised to see the carefree manner in which persons who are born in this world live. They do not spend even pice for things, which will bring them benefit in this or the other world, but they will spend millions of rupees on harmful things. They think a person happy when he is absorbed in sensuous enjoyments and a person wise, who is oppressed by the burden of desires. They respect and bow before an elderly person even when his working life is finished and his strength and intellect have waned (506-510). As a child grows, they fondle it with great joy and do not grieve that its life is getting reduced. A child comes under the sway of death from its very birth, but they celebrate its birthday with great pomp. O Partha, people cannot bear to hear the name of death and mourn when a relation dies. But they do not foolishly consider how their life is getting spent. When the serpent is swallowing the frog, the latter is catching flies with its tongue. In the same way, beings increase their desires. Alas! How foul and perverse are the things of this mortal world! O Partha, even though you are born in this world by mere accident (511-515), spurn it and take to the path of devotion, by which you will come to My eternal abode. |
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