🕉️Sanskrit Subhashit

Dnyaneshwar Maharaj elucidates the paradox of 'inaction in action'. A person who performs their duties without the ego of being the 'doer' and without attachment to the results is considered truly wise. Such a person remains untouched by the bonds of karma, even while being physically active in the world. This state of being is called 'Akarmata' (inaction), where the soul remains a witness while the body performs its natural functions.

In daily life, perform your tasks as a duty without letting your ego take credit. For example, a parent caring for a child out of pure love without expecting anything in return is practicing 'inaction in action'.

Saint Dnyaneshwar explains the profound concept of seeing inaction within action, which is the hallmark of a true Yogi.

In this verse, Saint Dnyaneshwar provides a detailed account of the people Arjuna sees on the battlefield. It is not just an anonymous army; it consists of his mentors like Dronacharya, his younger cousins, paternal uncles, and other highly respected elders. Seeing those he should be bowing to in a position where he must kill them creates the profound 'Vishad' (sorrow/despair) that the chapter is named after. This highlights the human struggle when personal reverence clashes with the grim reality of duty.

In professional or social life, we may encounter situations where we must challenge or compete against people we respect or are related to. This verse teaches us to acknowledge these relationships while preparing for the necessary action. Example: A journalist reporting fairly on a mentor's mistake.

Arjuna identifies his teachers, uncles, and elders on the battlefield, intensifying his emotional struggle.

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.