Verse 3.34

Verse 3.34: “Of (every) sense-centre, towards its (respective) object its passion or aversion is inherently determined. One, ought not to fall under their dominance; for, they are the two waylayers in one’s path. (210)

Commentary called Jnaneshwari by Jnaneshwar:

Well may it be said that happiness shall be our reward in the heart were we to provide things according to the tastes of the different senses. This is a grievous error, for, the company of thieves may keep one’s mind at peace only for a short time viz. so long as the limits of the town are not crossed, or at times one might get deluded by the sweet taste of poison, only at the end to destroy one’s life: in the same way the desires on the part of senses for their (sense) objects, make them run after their pleasures in an inordinate degree; in the way a bait deludes a fish that does not know the existence of the fatal hook hidden under the bait. A similar state is created on account of the desires for sense-objects. Where there arises a desire for the enjoyment of the sense-objects, wrath is bound to be simultaneously there. Just as a hunter drives in his prey from all sides, and makes it go to the particular spot which proves fatal to it, so is the way of the desires for the enjoyment of the sense-objects, of cornering and destroying the discerning power. Therefore, O Partha, the passion and the wrath are the two dangerous and treacherous enemies, that thou shalt avoid. They should not, therefore, be associated with, nor should they even be thought of. Let not the experience of the bliss of the self-vision be spoiled (by any of these things).