म्हणौनि तूं आतां । झकवी नको चित्ता । धरीं गा धीरता । पांडुकुमरा ॥ ११० ॥
"Therefore, do not delude your mind now; hold your courage, O son of Pandu."
💡 Meaning
Therefore, do not deceive your mind now. O son of Pandu, hold onto your courage.
म्हणौनि तूं आतां । झकवी नको चित्ता । धरीं गा धीरता । पांडुकुमरा ॥ ११० ॥
"Therefore, do not delude your mind now; hold your courage, O son of Pandu."
Therefore, do not deceive your mind now. O son of Pandu, hold onto your courage.
In this verse, Saint Dnyaneshwar captures Krishna's exhortation to Arjuna. He tells Arjuna not to let his mind be deceived by temporary emotions or false logic. True strength lies in 'Dhīratā' (fortitude). By addressing him as 'Pandukumara', Krishna reminds him of his noble lineage and duty, urging him to stabilize his consciousness and face the reality of the battlefield.
In times of crisis, instead of letting anxiety take over, one should practice mindfulness and stay brave. Example: Staying calm and focused during a difficult professional challenge instead of overthinking the failure.
Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to stop deluding his mind with false logic and to maintain courage in the face of his duty.
ब्रह्मण्याधाय कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा करोति यः। लिप्यते न स पापेन पद्मपत्रमिवाम्भसा॥
म्हणोनि कर्मे तरी कीजती। परि तीं फळालागीं न सुझती। जैसा कर्दमु न लिंपती। पद्मपत्रां॥
"Therefore, actions are indeed performed, but they do not seek the fruit; just as mud does not cling to the lotus leaves."
Just as a lotus leaf is not wetted by water or stained by mud, a wise person performs actions without being attached to their fruits.
In this verse, Saint Dnyaneshwar illustrates the principle of non-attachment using the metaphor of a lotus leaf. Just as a lotus leaf grows in water and mud but remains dry and unstained by them, a seeker who performs their duties without attachment to the results remains untouched by sin or the bondage of Karma. This state is achieved by dedicating all actions to the Divine and realizing that the true self is distinct from the doer of the actions.
In professional life, focus entirely on the quality of your task rather than constantly worrying about the promotion or reward. This 'process-oriented' approach reduces stress and leads to better outcomes, similar to the lotus leaf's nature.
Saint Dnyaneshwar explains how a person can remain untouched by the bonds of action while living in the material world.
कर्मण्यकर्म य: पश्येदकर्मणि च कर्म य: । स बुद्धिमान्मनुष्येषु स युक्त: कृत्स्नकर्मकृत् ॥
जेथ अर्जुना कर्माचां ठायीं । कर्माभावोचि दिसे पाहीं । आणि अकर्मामाजीं सर्वही । कर्मचि असे ॥३४॥
"Where, O Arjuna, in the place of action, non-action is seen; and in non-action, all action exists."
He who sees inaction in action and action in inaction is wise among men.
Saint Dnyaneshwar explains that a person who realizes that the soul is a non-doer even while the physical body performs actions, truly sees inaction in action. Conversely, one who physically refrains from work but harbors mental desires is actually performing actions. True wisdom lies in transcending the ego of being the 'doer' and remaining detached from the fruits of labor.
In daily life, perform your duties without being attached to the results. Example: Helping a stranger without expecting recognition or a return favor is practicing inaction within action.
Lord Krishna explains the paradoxical nature of action and inaction to Arjuna, which Dnyaneshwar Maharaj elaborates in this Ovi.