Gyaneshwari -Sant Gyaneshwar
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Chapter-13
The field and the knower of the field
O son of Pandu, the combination of these principles together with life, is known as the aggregate, the thirty-sixth principle. I have thus, explained to you clearly the thirty-six principles which taken together, are known by the famous name of Field (146-150). When all the component parts of a chariot come together, they are known is the chariot; so all the limbs of the body from head to feet form the body. Just as the elephants, the assemblage of chariots, horses and infantry gets the name ‘army’ and the combination of letters is known as a sentence, when the clouds assemble, they are known as the cloudy sky, so all the worlds form the universe. When oil, wick and fire come together, they get the name of a lamp. In the same way, when these thirty-six principles come together, their assemblage is known as the Field. The cultivation of this physical body yields the crop of merit and demerit and so we call it ‘Field’ in admiration and some name it ‘body’. It has many different names. In fact, all things in this world with the exception of the Supreme Self, take birth and die and constitute this Field. They are born in different species such as gods, human beings, serpents. But they do so, in accordance with their qualities and past actions. These qualities will be described in detail later on (in chapter 14; 156-160). So I have told you all the distinctive characteristics of the Field along with its modifications. Now I shall explain to you the highest knowledge. For the sake of this knowledge, yogis bypass heaven and swallow the sky. Some disregard prosperity and miraculous powers and scorn the hard method of Yoga. Some cross the fortress of austerities, while others may offer many sacrifices and uproot the plants of religious rites (by giving up their fruit). Many follow the path of worship and wander about naked, while others practicing Hathayoga go through the secret path of Sushumna (161-165). |
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