🕉️Sanskrit Subhashit

In this verse, Saint Dnyaneshwar describes the equanimity of a realized soul. A person of steady wisdom does not complain or express grief through their speech when faced with suffering. Similarly, they do not become overly excited or arrogant when they encounter happiness or success. Their internal state remains undisturbed by external circumstances, maintaining a profound silence and balance in both pleasure and pain.

In professional life, staying calm during a project failure (sorrow) and remaining humble after receiving a major award (joy) is the practical application of this teaching.

Saint Dnyaneshwar explains the characteristics of a person with steady wisdom (Sthitaprajna) who remains unaffected by the dualities of life.

In this verse, Saint Dnyaneshwar emphasizes that sensory pleasures are the primary source of human suffering. He advises Arjuna (Pandusuta) to completely avoid indulgence in these objects because they are the breeding ground for all calamities. True wisdom lies in recognizing that what appears pleasurable to the senses is often the root cause of long-term pain and spiritual downfall. Just as a poisonous fruit may look attractive but leads to death, sensory objects lead to the destruction of peace.

In modern life, we often get addicted to instant gratification like excessive social media use or unhealthy habits. This verse teaches us to exercise self-control and avoid things that provide temporary pleasure but lead to long-term mental or physical harm.

Saint Dnyaneshwar explains the deceptive nature of sensory pleasures and warns Arjuna about their consequences.

In this verse, Saint Dnyaneshwar uses the classic metaphor of the lotus leaf. Just as a lotus leaf grows in water but remains dry and untouched by it, a person established in self-knowledge performs all necessary worldly duties without the ego of 'doership'. Since there is no attachment to the results or the ego of being the performer, the actions do not create any karmic bondage. This is the essence of Nishkama Karma (selfless action), where one acts as an instrument of the divine rather than an independent agent.

Perform your daily tasks with full dedication but without getting emotionally entangled in the results. Example: A student should study hard for exams as a duty, but should not let the fear of failure or the pride of success disturb their inner peace.

Saint Dnyaneshwar explains how a realized soul remains untouched by the bonds of action while living in the world, using the metaphor of a lotus leaf.