Gyaneshwari -Sant Gyaneshwar
|
|
Chapter-13
The field and the knower of the field
7. Absence of pride and hypocrisy, non-injury, forbearance, uprightness, service of the teacher, purity, steadfastness and self-restraint, He does not like being compared with anybody, and feels it a burden if anyone calls him great (181-185). If anyone praises his virtues, or shows him respect or describes his caliber, he becomes nervous like a deer blockaded by a hunter or like a swimmer caught in a whirlpool. O Partha, he finds himself in a predicament, if he receives the applause of the people, and he does not want any importance given to him. When he thinks, ‘I do not want to see people showing reverence to me or hear my fame from their lips or even like people to remember me specially’ how can one pay homage to him or how would he accept it? He feels it a great calamity, if someone bows to him (186-190). Although his knowledge is as encyclopedia as that of Brihaspati (the preceptor of gods), he conceals it for fear of becoming a celebrity and behaves like an idiot. He hides his wisdom and greatness, and likes to show himself as an idiot. He feels disgusted at his popularity, is tired of religious debates, and has a great liking for quiet life. He heartily wishes that people should take no notice of him and that his kith and kin should give up worrying about him. He usually performs such actions as will promote modesty and humility in him (191-195). He adopts such a life style, as to make the people care less whether he is living or dead. He wishes that the people should begin to doubt whether he is walking on his legs or borne by the wind. He prays to God that people should ignore his existence and even forget his name and no living being should be afraid of him. He prefers solitude and is glad to see an uninhabited place. He likes to make friends with the wind, to talk to the sky and to hold the trees dearer than his life (196-200). In short, when a person displays these traits, he should be known to have attained knowledge. That quality which is known as absence of pride, should be recognised by these characteristics. |
 |
