🕉️Sanskrit Subhashit

In this verse, Saint Dnyaneshwar highlights the moment of Arjuna's emotional breakdown. As Arjuna looks at the Kaurava army, he doesn't see enemies to be conquered, but rather his grandfather Bhishma, his preceptor Drona, and other kings who were his kith and kin. This realization shifts the context of the battle from a political struggle to a personal tragedy for Arjuna, as he grapples with the idea of killing those he respects and loves.

In professional life, one must often separate personal relationships from duty. For example, a manager must evaluate a friend's performance objectively without letting personal bias interfere with professional standards.

Arjuna surveys the battlefield and recognizes his elders and relatives in the opposing army, leading to emotional distress.

In this verse, Saint Dnyaneshwar illustrates the concept of Advaita (non-duality). He explains that a wave in the ocean might momentarily perceive itself as a distinct entity due to its form and movement. However, its fundamental essence is nothing but water. When the wave subsides, it loses its individual identity and merges back into the vastness of the ocean. Similarly, an enlightened person (Sthitaprajna) realizes that their individual ego is an illusion and that they are inherently one with the Universal Consciousness.

In practical life, this teaching helps in reducing ego. When we realize that we are part of a larger whole, our conflicts with others diminish. Example: In a corporate environment, seeing yourself as an integral part of the organization's success rather than working only for personal glory.

Saint Dnyaneshwar explains the state of oneness between the individual soul and the Supreme Soul using the metaphor of a wave and the ocean.

Saint Dnyaneshwar emphasizes that mental distractions and fruit-oriented thinking are the primary obstacles to performing one's duty. By abandoning these 'Kalpanas' (mental constructs and doubts), one achieves steadiness in action. The focus is on 'Swadharma'—the duty that aligns with one's nature and position in life.

Focus on the process of your work rather than worrying about the 'what-ifs' or the final outcome. For example, a professional should focus on the quality of their task at hand rather than the praise or criticism they might receive later.

Shri Krishna, through Dnyaneshwar Maharaj's commentary, advises Arjuna to focus on his inherent duty without being distracted by mental constructs.