Gyaneshwari -Sant Gyaneshwar
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Chapter-13
The field and the knower of the field
With an intense longing for this knowledge, some rummage the leaves of Vedas (to discover the right path). In the hope of acquiring this knowledge through the service of the Guru, some surrender their many lives to him. This knowledge destroys ignorance and brings about the union of the embodied Self with the Supreme Self. It closes the doors of the senses, diminishes activity and dispels anxiety of the mind. With the attainment of this knowledge, the sense-duality disappears and the Self realises its identify with the Supreme Self (166-170). That knowledge destroys the ego, devours the great delusion, and banishes all talk of ‘mine’ and ‘others’. It uproots worldly existence, cleanses the impurity of desire and embraces the all-pervading Brahman. Its attainment cripples the vital air (prana) and under its authority the world carries on its affairs. From its light, intellect derives its vision and life remains on the crest of joy. This knowledge is the sole reservoir of sanctity, which purifies the mind soiled by the objects of senses (171-175). Its attainment is a complete cure for the disease of consumption in the form of delusion, because of which the pure Self thinks itself to be the body.This knowledge is difficult to explain, but I am going to make it comprehensible to you. It is not true that it cannot be seen by the physical eyes. For when the body becomes permeated by the power of this knowledge, its symptoms become visible through the actions of the sense organs. Just as the blossoming of the trees indicates the advent of the spring, so the actions of sense organs, bear testimony to knowledge. O Partha, one comes to know whether the tree is watered or not from its spreading branches (176-180). The fresh and blooming blossoms bear evidence of the softness of the soil. Birth in a noble family and good breeding of a person can be known from his unimpeachable conduct or friendship becomes apparent from the hospitality shown. If one attains serenity of mind at the sight of a person, he instantly recognises that he has met a saintly person. The camphor in the camphor tree makes its presence felt by its fragrance or a lamp kept in a pane of glass sheds its light outside. In the same way, knowledge in his mind makes itself felt through certain traits, which I shall now explain. Listen carefully. |
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