Verse 17.1

Verse 17.1: “Those who, having abandoned prescribed ways of the Shastras, proffer worship, endowed with faith: to what category does their way of life belong: Sattva, Rajas, or Tamas?” (34)

Commentary called Jnaneshwari by Jnaneshwar:

That Arjuna said,

“Oh Lord, dark-coloured like the leaf of ‘Laurus cassia’ (tamālaśyāmā), and the embodiment of Supreme Brahman, (perceptible to the senses), I have some expectancy about what you said. In what sense did you say that there was no other way to liberation for a being, but the one through the Scriptures? Should there not be available a suitable place, sufficient time and a suitable teacher at hand for teaching the Scriptures, as also the equipment helpful to such a study; similarly why should there be wanting the strength of the merit of the former lives (Luck) as also the necessary intelligence?—in short, if these are not there, the study of the Scriptures (in the case of such men) must of necessity come to a standstill: Such ones (and there are also others), in whose case, the (stone-cutter’s) chisel has not even touched (the rock in the form of the study of) the Scriptures (no foundation of study is even laid) and who have in consequence left off all discussions over the subject; yet they long to be like those that attain the real happiness of the other world, by taking to activism, strictly deducing the conclusion from the Shastras and practising holy rites in accordance with it.

A child writes (copies) letters (underneath) following the specimen writing (above) by an expert writer, or a blind one walks behind and follows the lead of one (with good vision) walking ahead: in that way, holding as authority the behaviour of those that are experts in Shastras, they in full faith follow their course. Then they worship with great devotion, Gods such as Lord Shiva and others, give liberal charity like gifts of land, etc., make daily offerings to the sacred fire and perform other sacrifices. Now tell me, Oh Purushottama (the Best Person) under which of the categories viz. Sattva, Rajas and Tamas, such men are classed.”

At this Lord Krishna, the master of the seat of Vaikuntha, who is the pollen in the lotus flower in the form of the Vedas, under whose shade (protection) this Universe survives, who is stuffed with the power that secures commendation for Kala (Time), who is naturally powerful, unique and grand, and who is obstruse and blissful—that Lord Krishna himself spake in reply.