तरी मी आणि तू। आणि हे नृपनाथ समस्तू। येथ नसू ऐसे नव्हतू। मागांही कधीं॥
"Neither I, nor you, nor these kings, were ever non-existent in the past."
💡 Meaning
It is not that I, you, or these kings did not exist in the past.
तरी मी आणि तू। आणि हे नृपनाथ समस्तू। येथ नसू ऐसे नव्हतू। मागांही कधीं॥
"Neither I, nor you, nor these kings, were ever non-existent in the past."
It is not that I, you, or these kings did not exist in the past.
In this verse, Saint Dnyaneshwar interprets Krishna's words regarding the beginningless nature of the soul. He emphasizes that the soul (Atman) transcends time. The physical forms we see are temporary, but the consciousness within has always existed and will continue to exist. This is the fundamental teaching of Sankhya Yoga to remove the fear of death.
This teaching can be applied to overcome the fear of loss. For example, when facing a major life change, remembering that our core identity is beyond physical circumstances provides stability.
Krishna addresses Arjuna's grief by explaining the concept of the eternal soul.
म्हणौनि कर्म तरी कीजे । परि तें फळाशा त्यजिजे । जैसें बीज तरी पेरिजे । परि दग्ध करूनि ॥
"Therefore, perform your duties, but let go of the craving for rewards. It is like sowing a seed that has been parched; it fulfills the act of sowing but does not sprout into further bondage."
Therefore, perform your actions, but renounce the desire for their fruits. Just as a seed is sown after being roasted so it won't sprout, actions without attachment do not cause bondage.
In this verse, Saint Dnyaneshwar elucidates the core principle of Nishkama Karma (selfless action). He advises that one must perform their duties but renounce the attachment to the results. He employs a powerful agricultural metaphor: just as a seed that has been roasted (dagdha) loses its potential to sprout even when sown in fertile soil, an action performed without the desire for fruit loses its power to bind the individual to the cycle of rebirth. Such actions are transformed into 'Akarma' (inaction in action), leading the seeker toward spiritual liberation while they remain active in the world.
In professional life, focus on the excellence of your task rather than obsessing over the promotion or bonus. This 'roasted seed' approach ensures high-quality work without the anxiety of the outcome.
Saint Dnyaneshwar explains the technique of performing actions without incurring karmic bondage, using the metaphor of roasted seeds.
जैसा पूर्ण सरितेचा ओघ । मिळे समुद्राचा मार्ग । परी तो समुद्रु न सांडी वेग । मर्यादा आपली ॥ १३२ ॥
"As the full flow of rivers meets the ocean, yet the ocean does not abandon its limits or its speed."
Just as the ocean remains within its boundaries even when full rivers flow into it, a wise person remains steady despite external influences.
Saint Dnyaneshwar explains that just as the ocean remains undisturbed despite countless rivers flowing into it, a person of steady wisdom remains unaffected by sensory desires or external circumstances. The ocean does not overflow its boundaries when rivers join it; similarly, the mind of a sage remains anchored in the self, regardless of the worldly experiences that come his way. This illustrates the pinnacle of emotional and spiritual maturity.
Maintain emotional balance in both success and failure. Example: Staying humble after a big promotion instead of becoming arrogant, just like the ocean stays calm despite the influx of water.
Shri Krishna explains the stability of a realized soul using the metaphor of an ocean to Arjuna.