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.
जैसा कूर्मु आपुलीं अंगें । प्रवेसे आपुलियांचि पांगें । तैसीं इंद्रियें विषयसंगें । सांडूनि येती ॥ १५८ ॥
"As the tortoise draws in its limbs from all sides, so does the wise man withdraw his senses from the objects of sense."
Just as a tortoise withdraws its limbs into its shell by its own will, a wise person withdraws their senses from the objects of the senses.
In this verse, Saint Dnyaneshwar uses the metaphor of a tortoise to describe the mastery a wise person has over their senses. A tortoise has the natural ability to retract its limbs into its hard shell whenever it senses danger or chooses to rest. Similarly, a person of steady wisdom (Sthitaprajna) can effortlessly withdraw their senses from worldly objects and temptations. This is not a forced suppression but a natural result of inner spiritual strength and realization.
In modern life, when you are trying to focus on a goal but are tempted by distractions like social media, practice the 'tortoise technique' by consciously withdrawing your attention from the distraction and pulling it back to your purpose.
Saint Dnyaneshwar explains the characteristics of a person with steady wisdom (Sthitaprajna), focusing on sense control.
जेथ अभिनव वाग्विलास । जेथ चातुर्याचा सौरस । जेथ प्रमेयाचा सुवास । प्रगटला असे ॥ ४ ॥
"Where there is a novel eloquence, where there is the essence of cleverness, and where the fragrance of spiritual theorems has manifested."
Where there is a novel play of words, where there is the sweetness of intelligence, and where the fragrance of spiritual truths is manifested.
In this verse, Saint Dnyaneshwar highlights the aesthetic and philosophical richness of the Dnyaneshwari. 'Abhinav Vagvilas' refers to the fresh and innovative eloquence of the language. 'Chaturyacha Sauras' suggests that the text is filled with the essence of wisdom and intellectual delight. 'Prameyacha Suvas' indicates that the core spiritual doctrines (Prameya) are not presented as dry logic but carry the fragrance of divine experience. It emphasizes that true spiritual literature should be both intellectually satisfying and emotionally uplifting.
In any creative or professional work, aim for a balance of technical skill and pleasant presentation. Example: When explaining a complex concept, use clear and engaging language to make it accessible and enjoyable for others.
Saint Dnyaneshwar describes the divine beauty and intellectual depth of the spiritual knowledge he is about to present.