Pearls from Pasaayadaan: Part 5

 

Pearls from Pasaayadaan: Part 5

वर्षत सकळमंगळीं
ईश्वर निष्ठांची मांदियाळी
अनवरत भूमंडळीं
भेटतु भूतां

Varshat(वर्षत) showering

Sakal ( सकळ) all

Mangali ( मंगळी) auspiciousness 

Ishwar (ईश्वर) God

Nishthaannchi ( निष्ठांची) of the faithful 

Maandiyaali ( मांदियाळी) gathering 

Anvarat ( अनवरत) without interruption, at all times 

Bhetatu (भेटतु) May meet 

Bhoota ( भूतां) people 

After having prayed for the evil to discard their wicked ways and dedicate their lives for good deeds, Dnyaaneshwar wishes that all people be blessed to have the company of saints, of Godly souls. 

It is the company that matters. So many instances from the Ramayan and Mahabharat provide examples of what company can do to any man. 

The company of the scheming Manthara for an inherently good queen like Kaikeyi turned her into a wicked step mother who used all her powers to send the rightful heir to the forest. Mentorship from Shakuni left no hope for Duryodhan to learn anything about being fair, selfless or kind. In turn the friendship with Duryodhan made even the virtuous Karna fall from grace. 

On the other hand friendship with Ram was uplifting for Vibhishan who despite being the brother of the demonic king Ravan was able to distinguish between right and wrong and stood on the side of virtue. Arjun’s devotion and friendship with Krishna enabled him to overcome confusion and grief at the critical threshold of war. 

Even in the present day we pay attention to who our kids’ friends are. My father used to say, when you kids come home and I notice a change in your behavior it is a red flag to check who you had been hanging out with. Such is the power of company. It can bring about a change even without you knowing it. Those of us who realize this can consciously choose our friends. If family has a negative influence ( just like Vibhishan experienced from his brothers) it is best to maintain a healthy distance. You can’t disown family but you can consciously resist their influence on you.

Here Dnyaaneshwar wishes that everyone be blessed with the company of God loving people. Why God loving people? Those who are not faithful to God what are they faithful to ? To their ego! They are after objects of the world. They are after money and power and fame. Those things that will create the undesirable tendencies that we discussed in the earlier verses. The people who are in the true sense devoted to God have turned their minds away from the world of objects. They are enjoying bliss of the spirit. They are engaged in actions that are directed to bring a greater good for the entire society. These are the people who can lead others on the path of goodness by setting an example themselves. They live by ethics and rules of the world. Everything they think, speak or do is nothing but auspicious. And their generosity is such that they will shower this auspiciousness on whoever they come in contact with. Such people are rare in the world. Dnyaaneshwar asks that they be present in large numbers, large gatherings so every man benefits easily from their company with no chance of missing out on good influence, on a good role model. Such a privilege would only provide added energy and momentum to their self effort of staying in the path of righteous duty and progress. 

It is like buying a home and then home insurance. Buying a home is like committing to a life of swadharma, righteous duty. The company of saints is like insurance to protect against defaults, straying from the path. We anticipate things can go wrong so we buy insurance. Here Dnyaaneshwar is arranging for our insurance provided we invest in buying our home ! 

There is a poem by the renowned poet Sahir Ludhianwi that comes to mind.

Mere Munne Mere Gulzar Ke Nanhe Paudhe

Tujhko Halat Ki Andhi Se Bachane Ke Liye

Aaj Main Pyar Ke Anchal Mein Chupa Leti Hoon

Kal Ye Kamzor Sahara Bhi Na Hansil Hoga

Kal Ye Kamzor Sahara Bhi Na Hansil Hoga

Kal Tujhe Kanton Bhari Rah Pe Chalna Hoga

Zindagani Ki Kadi Dhoop Mein Jalna Hoga

Tere Bachpan Ko Jawani Ki Dua Deti Hoon

Aur Dua Deke Pareshan Si Ho Jati Hoon

Here, a mother is speaking to her baby worrying about his future. Oh little one, you are a tiny seedling in the garden of my life. I am covering you up in the loving comforts of my pallu( anchal/ पदर) to protect you from the storms of harsh circumstances. But I may not be able to last for your lifetime. Indeed even this feeble support that I can offer you today may not be available for you later( when I am gone). At that time you will have to walk alone on a path strewn with thorns. You will have to bear the scorching heat at the peak of the day. I pray that you grow up despite the hardships and live a full life. But I do worry even as I hope and pray for this ( because I know what awaits you in the future). 

The more I reflect on everything that Dnyaaneshwar wishes for all beings, the more I realize why he is recognized as Maaooli. Only a Mother would think so much ahead for the future of her kids, anticipate the adversities they may face and not only prepare them for everything but also go and pick up as many thorns out of their paths as she possibly can!! What the kids are clueless about that they should pray for themselves, she prays for them.  What sets apart Dnyaaneshwar from any other mother who worries for her child is that Dnyaaneshwar left behind the protective padar (पदर) for the children to seek refuge in. One that would last long after he left his mortal body. That padar is the Dnyaaneshwari.