Pearls from Pasaayadaan: Part 9

 

Pearls from Pasaayadaan: Part 9

आणि ग्रंथोपजीविये
विशेषीं लोकीं इयें
दृष्टादृष्ट विजयें
होआवें जी

Aani आणि And , Furthermore 

Grantha upa ग्रंथोप In the company of books

Jeeviye जीविये Living

Vishesi विशेषीं remarkably

Loki लोकीं world

Eeye इयें In This

Drishtaadrishta दृष्टादृष्ट Visible and Invisible 

Vijaye विजयें victorious 

Hovaave Ji होआवें जी Be or become

In the composition of the Dnyaaneshwari, from beginning to end Dnyaaneshwar has maintained that he is merely an instrument for this monumental task. The real doer, he insists, is his Guru Nivrittinath. Thus with the highest humility he submits the work of his lifetime at the feet of his teacher. Nevertheless he is totally aware of  the value this masterpiece of literary work carries! He is astute to recognize that the essence of teachings in this book holds the key to spiritual liberation for millions of seekers. Therefore in this penultimate verse of the Pasaaydaan he extols the merits of studying the book with reverence and dedication. 

“In this world it would be remarkable to dedicate one’s life to a sincere study of the holy book(s), for this would enable to gain victory over the bondages of this life and afterlife.

Our world is a mortal world. Whatever is created will be destroyed. Whosoever is born must die, plants and animals included. Humans are the only species that are born with the capacity to contemplate and access spiritual wisdom. In the Hindu tradition it is widely believed that each of us passes through thousands of lifecycles before we gain a human birth. Feeding the body for growth and nutrition and procreation are functions of all living organisms. To not aspire beyond these organic functions, thus failing to avail of the unique human faculty of seeing beyond the limited confines of sense objects to find the infinite self within is a wasted opportunity. Every self realized saint in India has left behind a road map for future generations to tread on this mystical journey. The road map is delineated in their teachings that comprise the holy textbooks like the Dasbodh, Dnyaaneshwari,Tukaram Gatha, Eknaathi Bhaagwat, Tulsi Ramayan. 

The journey begins with a trust in the saints that they know something that is not taught routinely at school or college. They speak only after experiencing the truth themselves. Plain simple good will for all is the motive when they share what they know. 

It is this trust that initiates into hearing about what these saints have to say. Whatever little falls on the ears, when it sounds good and meaningful, evokes interest and intrigue to know more. Brief listening motivates to read. Reading provokes thinking and that in turn sows the seeds for deeper contemplation. Somewhere along this journey the contemplated truths become personal experience. From experience dawns awakening and consistent and prolonged awakening culminates into permanent dissolution of ignorance. This transforms into action. That is the real fruition of knowledge. Until then it is mere information. Acquiring knowledge and wisdom is an ongoing lifelong process. It calls upon dedication and consistency of practice.

Dnyaaneshwar has used the term granthopajeeviye! This is a composite of 3 words. Grantha means book! Upa means near! Close proximity! In the company of! Jeeviye is living or way of life! Means of living! 

Not all books are grantha. In his treatise The Dasbodh Samarth Ramdas has given a comprehensive definition of what qualifies as a grantha. That which inspires a person to change towards self betterment is a grantha! That which instills belief in divinity, builds devotion and draws into the pursuit of knowledge of the eternal soul is a grantha.

A way of living life in the company of and by means of the study of books! Remarkable indeed are those people who live their lives guided constantly by the teachings of the holy textbooks. Those who follow in the footsteps of the saints. Abide by their teachings. 

What kind of teachings come from saint literature? To follow the path of kindness, goodness, honesty, charity. To change from selfishness to service. To seek spiritual joy instead of material pleasures. Such transformation will sow the seeds of good karma. What is sowed today will bring in results in the future. These are the “invisible”(adrishta) circumstances. Visible(drishta) circumstances are what we are facing today. These are effects of past actions( praarabdha karma) that are already manifesting. Saints cannot turn back the wheels of karma that have started bearing fruit. They can however help us deal with these with fortitude. They can also induce favorable change in our future behaviors and thereby future results of action( sanchit karma) if we trust and follow their words. This way we can get control over adversities in the present life as well as afterlife. In other words, by leading a life guided by the wise teachings of saints we can gain victory over the visible and invisible troubles in our lives.