Gyaneshwari -Sant Gyaneshwar
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Chapter-14
The Three Qualities
8. But know that tamas born of ignorance deludes all persons; it binds them, O descendent of Bharata, by inattention, sloth and sleep.That which, O Partha, is known as the tamas quality, which acts like a veil and dims the vision of common-sense and is like a cloudy sky of the night of infatuation. It grows with ignorance and deludes the universe and makes it dance round its fingers (171-175). It has thoughtlessness as its great mantra (mystic formula), it is a decanter filled with the wine of ignorance, or a bewitching weapon, which infatuates all beings, By such devices, it ties up those who regard their body as the Self. When it begins to grow up in all created things, it leaves no scope for others to grow. It blunts the organs, deludes the mind and gives shelter to sloth. It makes the body slack, and one loses all enthusiasm for work and yawns every now and then (176-180). Such a person cannot see even when his eyes are open and gets up, responding to a call, thinking that he heard some one. Just as a slab falls on one side and does not turn the other way, so when he goes to sleep contracting his body, he does not turn over. He does not feel like getting up, even if the earth sinks or the heaven falls. When he feels sleepy, he does not recollect what is proper or improper; but only likes to remain in a reclining position. He raises his hand to the forehead or sits with his head on the knees (181-185). |
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