मग तो कर्मे करी की न करी । परी कर्माचा विटाळु तया न धरी । जैसा सूर्य जळीं न तिंबिजे परी । जळातें प्रकाशी ॥ २२१ ॥
"Then whether he performs actions or not, the stain of action does not touch him; just as the sun is not soaked by water, yet it illuminates the water."
💡 Meaning
Whether he performs actions or not, the stain of karma does not touch him. Just as the sun is not soaked by water but illuminates it, he remains detached while acting.
🔍 Deep Interpretation
In this verse, Saint Dnyaneshwar describes the profound state of an enlightened being. Even if such a person engages in worldly activities, they remain untouched by the 'impurity' or consequences of those actions because they lack the ego of 'doership'. He uses the brilliant analogy of the sun: although the sun's reflection is seen in water, the water cannot wet the sun. On the contrary, it is the sun that gives light to the water. Similarly, a realized soul lives in the world and performs duties, but remains as detached as the sun, illuminating their surroundings without being stained by the material world.
🎯 Practical Application
In daily life, perform your responsibilities with a sense of duty rather than ego. For example, a teacher should teach with the intent to share knowledge, not just for personal glory; this way, they remain satisfied regardless of the students' immediate praise.
📌 Context
Saint Dnyaneshwar explains the state of a liberated soul who performs actions without being bound by them.