🕉️Sanskrit Subhashit

In this verse, Saint Dnyaneshwar articulates Arjuna's query regarding human nature. Arjuna observes that even when a person knows the difference between right and wrong, they often find themselves straying from the path of righteousness. He seeks to understand the internal or external force that overrides one's intellect and moral compass, compelling them to act against their own better judgment, as if driven by an external power.

This verse helps us reflect on moments when we know a habit is bad (like procrastination or unhealthy eating) but still succumb to it. Recognizing this internal conflict is the first step toward self-discipline and mindfulness.

Arjuna asks Krishna about the mysterious force that compels a human being to commit sins even when they do not wish to.

In this verse, Dnyaneshwar Maharaj describes the state of a 'Sthitaprajna' (a person of steady wisdom). When the dualities of attraction (Raga) and repulsion (Dvesha) are eliminated from the heart, the mind becomes pure and stable. Even if the senses (eyes, ears, etc.) interact with their respective objects in the material world, they do so without creating any mental disturbance, ego, or bondage. The senses act naturally according to their properties, but the soul remains untouched by the results of those actions, leading to ultimate peace.

In daily life, practicing equanimity means not being overly excited by success or devastated by failure. For example, a student who studies hard but remains calm regardless of the result is practicing the removal of 'Raga' and 'Dvesha'.

Saint Dnyaneshwar explains the state of a person who has conquered the dualities of likes and dislikes, allowing them to interact with the world without mental disturbance.

Dnyaneshwar Maharaj explains that it is not the physical act of performing karma that creates bondage, but the mental projections (Sankalpa) and the egoistic desire for specific outcomes. By instructing Arjuna to 'abandon mental constructs', he points towards a state of mind where one acts as an instrument of the divine or duty, without the psychological weight of expectation. This mental clarity ensures that the cycle of cause and effect (karma) does not bind the soul.

In professional life, focus on the process and quality of your task rather than constantly worrying about the promotion or appraisal. For example, a doctor focusing entirely on the surgery rather than the fee or fame remains mentally free and performs better.

In the context of explaining how to perform actions without being bound by them, Saint Dnyaneshwar advises Arjuna to relinquish mental attachments.