म्हणोनि तूं आतां । उठीं वेगीं पंडुसुता । सांडीं हे व्याकुळता । मानसींची ॥
"Therefore, O son of Pandu, arise now with speed; cast off this mental anguish."
💡 Meaning
Therefore, O son of Pandu, arise quickly and cast away this mental distress.
म्हणोनि तूं आतां । उठीं वेगीं पंडुसुता । सांडीं हे व्याकुळता । मानसींची ॥
"Therefore, O son of Pandu, arise now with speed; cast off this mental anguish."
Therefore, O son of Pandu, arise quickly and cast away this mental distress.
In this verse, Saint Dnyaneshwar captures the essence of Krishna's call to action. After explaining the immortality of the soul, Krishna urges Arjuna to discard his mental agitation. The 'distress' mentioned is the result of attachment and ignorance. By asking him to 'rise quickly', Krishna emphasizes that duty (Dharma) should not be delayed by emotional weakness or overthinking.
When faced with a challenge, instead of overthinking or feeling defeated, one should take immediate action. Example: If you fail a task, don't dwell on the failure; start working on the solution immediately.
Lord Krishna encourages Arjuna to overcome his mental grief and stand up for his duty after explaining the nature of the soul.
जेणें इंद्रियांतें जिलें । विषयांतें सांडिलें । जो आत्मबोधें धाला । पूर्ण जाहला ॥
"One who has conquered the senses, cast off sense-objects, and is satiated with self-knowledge, has become perfect."
One who has conquered the senses, abandoned worldly desires, and is satisfied by self-knowledge is truly complete.
In this verse, Saint Dnyaneshwar describes the state of a 'Sthitaprajna' (one with steady wisdom). Mastery over the senses is the primary requirement. By detaching from sensory objects and finding absolute fulfillment in the realization of the Self (Atman), a person reaches a state of completeness. This inner satisfaction is so profound that external material pleasures no longer hold any attraction, making the individual 'Purna' or perfect.
In modern life, this can be applied by practicing digital detox or resisting the urge for instant gratification to focus on long-term goals. For example, a student choosing study over social media is practicing sense control.
Arjuna asks Lord Krishna about the characteristics and behavior of a person with steady wisdom (Sthitaprajna).
जेणें अज्ञानाचें मूळ खणिलें । कर्माचें इंधन जाळिलें । तें ज्ञानचि पैं संचरलें । जयाचिया ठायीं ॥ १६६ ॥
"He who has dug out the root of ignorance and burnt the fuel of actions, in him alone does knowledge dwell."
One who has uprooted the source of ignorance and burnt the fuel of karma, in that person, only pure knowledge resides.
Saint Dnyaneshwar describes the state of an enlightened being. Just as fire consumes wood, the realization of the Self uproots the very foundation of ignorance (the ego or body-identification). When this root is destroyed, all past and present actions, which act as fuel for the cycle of birth and death, are burnt away. The individual then becomes a vessel filled only with pure, divine knowledge, remaining untouched by the results of their actions.
In practical life, acquiring true wisdom about our nature helps us perform our duties without being overwhelmed by stress or the results. For example, a professional who works with clarity and without ego is not burdened by the 'fuel' of workplace politics or anxiety.
In this verse, Saint Dnyaneshwar explains how the fire of knowledge destroys the root of ignorance and the bondage of actions.