म्हणौनि तूं आतां । झकवी नको चित्ता । धरीं गा धीरता । पांडुकुमरा ॥ ११० ॥
"Therefore, do not delude your mind now; hold your courage, O son of Pandu."
💡 Meaning
Therefore, do not deceive your mind now. O son of Pandu, hold onto your courage.
म्हणौनि तूं आतां । झकवी नको चित्ता । धरीं गा धीरता । पांडुकुमरा ॥ ११० ॥
"Therefore, do not delude your mind now; hold your courage, O son of Pandu."
Therefore, do not deceive your mind now. O son of Pandu, hold onto your courage.
In this verse, Saint Dnyaneshwar captures Krishna's exhortation to Arjuna. He tells Arjuna not to let his mind be deceived by temporary emotions or false logic. True strength lies in 'Dhīratā' (fortitude). By addressing him as 'Pandukumara', Krishna reminds him of his noble lineage and duty, urging him to stabilize his consciousness and face the reality of the battlefield.
In times of crisis, instead of letting anxiety take over, one should practice mindfulness and stay brave. Example: Staying calm and focused during a difficult professional challenge instead of overthinking the failure.
Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to stop deluding his mind with false logic and to maintain courage in the face of his duty.
म्हणोनि कर्म तंव अविद्या। हे बोलणे काय कीं सिद्धा। परी अविद्याचि अविद्या। नाशी जेणें॥
"Therefore, action is ignorance; why say this to the realized? But it is ignorance itself that destroys ignorance."
Therefore, action is considered ignorance; there is no need to tell this to the realized ones. However, it is through action (performed selflessly) that ignorance is destroyed.
In this verse, Dnyaneshwar Maharaj addresses the philosophical paradox of action. While action is often rooted in the ego (ignorance), when performed with detachment and as a sacrifice, it becomes the very instrument that dissolves the ego. It is like using a thorn to remove another thorn; the process of selfless action eventually leads to the cessation of the cycle of ignorance. For the 'Siddhas' (enlightened ones), this is self-evident, but for the seeker, it is the path to liberation.
In daily life, if you perform your duties (like studying or working) without obsessing over the results, the work itself becomes a form of meditation that clears your mind of stress and ego. For example, volunteering without seeking fame brings true inner peace.
Saint Dnyaneshwar explains the paradox of how action, which usually stems from ignorance, can be the tool to destroy ignorance itself when performed selflessly.
म्हणोनि उचित जे कर्म । आणि आचरावे जे उत्तम । तेचि करीं तूं सप्रेम । मनेंकरूनि ॥ ६७ ॥
"Therefore, perform that duty which is appropriate and noble; do it with love and a focused mind."
Therefore, perform the duty which is appropriate and noble, and do it with love and a sincere heart.
In this verse, Saint Dnyaneshwar emphasizes the quality of action. He suggests that one should not just perform any action, but specifically that which is 'Ucita' (right/prescribed) and 'Uttama' (noble). The spiritual depth lies in the attitude: the action must be performed 'Saprema' (with love) and 'Manenkaruni' (with total mental involvement). It teaches that the spirit with which a task is performed is as important as the task itself. Performing one's duty with love transforms mundane work into a spiritual practice.
In professional life, instead of working mechanically just for a salary, try to find meaning and joy in your tasks. For example, a teacher should teach not just to finish the syllabus, but with a genuine love for the students' growth.
In the commentary on Bhagavad Gita, Saint Dnyaneshwar explains how an individual should perform their daily duties without attachment but with complete devotion.