🕉️Sanskrit Subhashit

In this verse, Saint Dnyaneshwar elucidates the state of non-duality. For a realized being, the distinction between the act of offering, the offering itself, and the recipient disappears. Everything is perceived as Brahman. Just as water remains water whether it is a wave or a bubble, all worldly activities are seen as manifestations of the same supreme consciousness by a wise person.

Apply this by performing your daily chores with the mindset that the work, the tools, and the result are all part of a larger divine order. For example, while cooking, view the act as a sacred offering rather than a mundane task.

Saint Dnyaneshwar explains the vision of a realized soul who sees the Divine in every action.

In this verse, Saint Dnyaneshwar illustrates the concept of Nishkama Karma (selfless action). He explains that although a realized soul performs all necessary worldly actions, they are never bound by them because they lack the egoistic sense of 'I am the doer'. He uses the beautiful metaphor of sunbeams: just as sunbeams can penetrate deep into the water yet remain perfectly dry and unaffected by the water's wetness, a wise person's consciousness remains untainted by the actions they perform in the material world.

Apply this by focusing on the process of your work rather than the ego of being the achiever. For example, a teacher should teach with the intent of sharing knowledge as a duty, without letting the pride of 'I am making them smart' cloud their mind.

Saint Dnyaneshwar explains how a self-realized person remains untouched by the consequences of their actions.

Saint Dnyaneshwar uses a beautiful analogy of a boat to explain the concept of Nishkama Karma. Just as a boat, which floats on water, is the only means to cross that very water, selfless action is the only way to transcend the cycle of birth and death caused by actions. When an individual performs their duty without the ego of being the 'doer' and without craving the results, the action itself becomes a tool for liberation rather than a cause of bondage.

In professional life, focus on the quality of your work rather than obsessing over the promotion or bonus. By treating your work as a service, you eliminate stress and achieve excellence, effectively using 'work' to free yourself from the 'anxiety of work'.

Shri Krishna explains to Arjuna how performing actions without attachment leads to the dissolution of the bondage of Karma.