Pearls from Pasaayadaan: Part 7

 Pearls from Pasaayadaan: Part 7

चंद्रमे जे अलांछन
मार्तंड जे तापहीन
ते सर्वांही सदा सज्जन
सोयरे होतु

Chandra चंद्र moon

Me मे in

Je जे that

Alaanchhan अलांछन blemish, scar

Maartand मार्तंड sun

Je जे that

Taapa heen तापहीन scorching hot

Te  ते they

Sarvaa hi सर्वांही towards all

Sadaa सदा  forever

Sajjan सज्जन good ,righteous people 

Soyare सोयरे close family members

Hotu होतु remain

To imagine a wish fulfilling tree (kalpataru) or a gem that removes all worries (chintaamani) may be far fetched but one can certainly relate to the heat under a scorching summer sun and the coolness under moonlight. 

Like many people, I am one who is fascinated with sunrises and sunsets. Having grown up in a culture that considers the Sun as a God, bestower and sustainer of life on earth, I worship the rising sun. The yoga exercise of suryanamaskar ( sun salute) has been part of my daily routine since an early age. Despite this ingrained reverence, I was surprised by a thought that recently crossed my mind. I show so much excitement about a sunrise and sunset but I ignore the sun between these two events ! It is the same sun! But I don’t care to take a loving look at it in the middle of the day! On the contrary I go extra lengths to avoid the sun for most part of the day ! Pulling down the sun shade when driving, wearing dark glasses and hat when out in the sun, or simply remaining  in the shade when that’s an option. Why? Because the heat causes physical discomfort. The glare blinds rather than help see better. 

The moon is a favorite subject for poets. They rave about its beauty, whether it is the full moon or a young crescent. They compare its charm to that of their beloved, sing praises of its cool shimmering light, lament its absence on new moon days share their feelings with it and sometimes even envy it. Indeed the glories of the moon seem to surpass those of any other heavenly object. Yet the moon is not without fault. Science knows the deep craters on its surface and we here on earth can see these as dark spots on its face. 

Dnyaaneshwar cleverly highlights these shortcomings in the sun and the moon while drawing comparisons with the saints.  The wisdom of the saints is illuminating like sunlight but it never hurts like the midday heat from the sun. The kindness and love of the saints is soothing like moonlight yet they are flawless, unblemished, unlike the moon. Their grace is ever present. This consistency is in contrast to sunlight and moonlight that vary depending on the time of the day or month.

Dnyaaneshwar, at other places( outside the verses of Pasaayadaan but within the text of the Dnyaaneshwari), has given such beautiful examples while describing the equanimity of saints. Mother Earth carries the weight of an evil man no differently from that of a pious man. The water of a lake fulfills the thirst of a deer just the same as that of a tiger. Similarly the saints extend their generosity and kindness to every living being at all times . ते सर्वांही सदा सज्जन! They are good towards all and at all times ! 

And not just good ! But soyare hotu सोयरे होतु ! Soyare in Marathi means next of kin, or near and dear ones ! Inner circle! Confidante! Those that you turn to share your deepest feelings and secrets. A stranger can be good to you but has not established a relationship of trust. You can’t lean on the shoulder of someone just because they are good to you. These saints are indeed special because not only are they virtuous but they can be counted on at any time when you need support, guidance or simply a confidante. They will not judge you for your shortcomings and turn you away when you need them the most. And this they can do because they have come to see that the same God principle is at the core of all beings. This is the essence of a man of perfection or sthitapradnya described in the Bhagwad Gita. The enormously generous heart of Dnyaaneshwar seeks for us to have the company of not just one such virtuous man but a whole gathering of such men of perfection.