Gyaneshwari -Sant Gyaneshwar
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Chapter-14
The Three Qualities
23. He who remains like one disinterested and is not moved by the gunas, and who, knowing that the gunas act, remains aloof and does not waver, Since he considers the gunas and their functions, as his own Self, he is not separated from them. He remains in the body in a disinterested spirit, just as a traveller breaks his journey on the way and stays in a rest-house. Just as the battle-ground is indifferent to the conqueror or the conquered, so he neither conquers the gunas nor is he overcome by them. Nor does he come under the sway of gunas and perform actions or get them performed through them. He remains as indifferent to events around him, like the prana in the body or a guest, who has come to the house or the pole at a meeting place. O Arjuna, just as the Meru mountain does not deflect when assailed by the waves of the mirage, so he is not perturbed, by the movements of the gunas (336-340). Is the sky ever moved by wind or has the darkness ever swallowed the sun? Just as a person wide-awake does not dream, so an enlightened person is not bound by the gunas. Without coming under the influence of the gunas, he sees their play as from a distance, like a spectator who sees the play of puppets. When his sattvic tendencies remain engaged in good actions, his rajasic tendencies in sensuous enjoyments and his tamasic tendencies in delusion, he knows that all these actions of the gunas take place under the power of his Self. The sun is a mere witness to all worldly affairs (341-345). The moon, because of whom, the sea gets its tides, the moonstone oozes and the white lilies bloom, remains inactive. The sky remains steady, even when the wind blows violently or remains lulled. In the same way, he does not become agitated, even if the gunas create a bustle. O Arjuna, in this way, I have told you the characteristics of a person who has transcended the gunas. Now I shall tell you what his conduct is like. |
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