Verse 18.35

Verse 18.35: “Whereby the stupid man does not give up slumber, fear, grief, and despondency, as also, arrogance: that tenacity O Son of Pritha, is Tamas-dominated. (749)

Commentary called Jnaneshwari by Jnaneshwar:

That (which) is formed of all sorts of heinous qualities, in the way the coal is formed in point of blackness; were such heinous and vulgar aspects to be taken as qualities, why not then call the Demons as persons of merit (puṇyajana)? The one amongst the planets, which has the appearance of live-coal, is called “Mangal [Mangala]^[1]” (maṅgala—Mars-the auspicious one); in that same light the term “quality” (guṇa) is figuratively used in respect of this dark and thoughtless one (dhṛti). Such a one is the very idol, prepared out of well-wrought darkness (tamas), in which are stored up all the demerits. He carries laziness under his arm pit, with the result that slumber never leaves him, just as misery always dwells where sin is nurtured.

Fear never deserts him consequent on his strong attachment to his body, in the way hardness ever accompanies the stone. He is a regular abode of grief because he is addicted to all worldly things in the way the sin never departs from an ungrateful person. He harbours discontent in his heart day and night, with the result that despondency is his constant companion.

Foul smell never leaves garlic or the disease (never leaves) the patient who habitually goes against the prescribed regimen. In that way, despondency clings to him till his death. His infatuation for wife (lit. female companion), wealth, and passion ever waxes strong with the result that arrogance makes its home in him. Heat never leaves the fire or the spite (never leaves) a serpent of high breed: or the fear—the enemy of the world—is never destroyed: or the destructor never forgets the body; in that way arrogance makes its seat firm in the (Tamas-ridden) being. The tenacity that enables the five demerits (viz. slumber, fear, grief, despondency, and arrogance) to sustain a Tamas-ridden being, is called the Tamas (dominated) tenacity,” said the Lord of Universe.

(He further said),

“Thus whatever actions are resolved upon (to be performed) by the three-fold intellect are successfully carried out by tenacity. The way becomes discernible on account of the Sun, and feet walk over it; yet it is the courage (Tenacity) that brings about the walk. In that way the intellect shows the action which the group of instruments (organs etc.) performs; yet there is the necessity of tenacity for the production of actions. That tenacity which is three-fold has been explained to you. When the three-fold actions (thus) are performed, they bear the fruit, which is called ‘happiness’ and it is also three-fold, according to the respective types of action.

I shall now preach to you in clear words how this fruit—happiness—becomes distinctive on account of the three Guna-constituents. But how should I describe the clarity of words? Were it to be made known through words, the words also would, get defiled by the wax in the ears. Therefore better (to) discard it (that way) and to hear it (take it in) using the heart as the means of taking it in, by discarding which, the ears would even become deaf (i.e. the faculty of audition is paralysed)”.

With these words God started the topic of the three-fold happiness and I (Jnaneshwar) preach it following it (the start).

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

The word Mangala is used with the intention of avoiding the loathsome word Amangala (inauspicious).