Hari bhajana vina kaal : Part 6

 

Hari bhajanaa vina kaal :

Part 6:

संत संगतीने उमज ।
आणुनि मनी पुरते समज ।
अनुभवावीण मान हालवू नको रे ॥४॥

Sant sangatine umaj 

AaNuni mani purat samaj 

Anubhavaa viNa maan

Haalavu nako re

Sant =saint(s)

Sangat= company. Sangatine= with the company

Umaj= learn, know

Aanuni = bringing

Mani-= in the mind

Purat= complete 

Samaj-= understanding 

Learn in the company of saints bringing to your mind a complete understanding of things( scriptural teachings as well as the right way of living).

Anubhav= experience 

Vina= without

Maan = neck

Haalavu= nod, move

Nako re= don’t 

Don’t nod your head until you have experienced something.

Learn from the company of the saints.

Reflect on the knowledge you imbibe from them

Put it into practice and gain firsthand experience.

Without such experience do not shake your head in acknowledgment ( to falsely indicate that you know it). 

In the last post I pretty much emphasized the importance of company.You are known by the company you keep! You become what you stay in touch with.

As I write this I am smiling remembering a funny incident from my childhood. I must have been in my pre-teens or early teens. You know how kids are at that age. They think they are smarter than their parents 😃. My parents were having an argument over something. Mom was giving a lecture on something and my dad angrily responded saying ”I don’t want to be a saint”.  In my mind I thought “why would one NOT want to be a saint? I want to be saint!” 😃

Little did I understand at that time what it means to be a saint. 

Jyaache angi mothepan 

Tayaa yaatanaa kathin. 

One who achieves greatness bears great pains! They digest even the pains of others!

In his famous composition Pasaaydaan saint Dnyaaneshwar has very eloquently described the role of the saints. I have elaborated on the pearls of the Pasaaydaan in my blog. Anyone interested can access it. Out of a total of nine verses three are devoted to sing the virtues of saints. Sharing those pertinent sections that describe the importance of saints.

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 

May all people be blessed at all times with the company of the saints who are devoted to God and ever showering auspiciousness on who they come in contact with.

चलां कल्पतरूंचे आरव
चेतना चिंतामणींचें गांव
बोलते जे अर्णव
पीयूषाचे

Chalaa चलां mobile

Kalpataru Che कल्पतरूंचे of wish fulfilling trees

Aarava आरव grove

Chetanaa चेतना life principle 

Chintaamani Che चिंतामणींचें of a gem that removes all worries

Gaava गांव village

Bolate बोलते talking, vocal

Je जे that

Arnava अर्णव ocean

Piyushaa Che पीयूषाचे elixir of immortality 

The saints/ devotees of God are like mobile groves of wish-fulfilling trees, or an entire living abode of rare gems that can remove all worries( of people they come in contact with), or a vocal ocean of the elixir that confers immortality.

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

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.

 And 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. Sohiroba wishes similarly.

It is desirable to keep the company of the saints for many reasons. However it may not always be possible to have physical company of saints. Their rich literature is born out of experience, built on the premise of truth and is equivalent to their physical presence. In other words they continue to live in the form of their literature. It is important to note here that not only is it worthwhile to read what these saints wrote, it is equally valuable to read about their lives, their biographies. Their trials, tribulations, the hurdles they overcame, their unique responses in the face of difficult or tricky situations prove as a scaffolding to build our character upon. Not only do they guide you on a path of righteousness, to become better human beings and help you to avoid pitfalls but they also provide guideposts for God realization or Self Realization or salvation, whatever you may call it.

They are wise teachers who will impart you the best spiritual knowledge. Be earnest students, ask the right questions to improve your understanding at every step. Absorb the essence from them through close proximity. Reflect on it. Assimilate it. 

Saree is a Bhujodi in kala( black) cotton that is native to Kutchh in Gujarat. A rainbow of colors used in the pallu design creates a magnificent weave. This fabric, like the eri silk of Assam, has isothermal properties making it convenient to use in both cool and warm weather conditions. Perfect to keep with you when weather is unpredictable or fluctuating. Just like one would want the company of saints through the journey of life.