Jnaneshwari (Bhavartha Dipika)
by Ramchandra Keshav Bhagwat | 1954 | 284,137 words | ISBN-10: 8185208123 | ISBN-13: 9788185208121
This is verse 8.2 of the Jnaneshwari (Bhavartha-Dipika), the English translation of 13th-century Marathi commentary on the Bhagavad-Gita.—The Dnyaneshwari (Jnaneshwari) brings to light the deeper meaning of the Gita which represents the essence of the Vedic Religion. This is verse 2 of the chapter called Akshara-brahman-yoga.
Verse 8.2
Verse 8.2: The inner entity of Sacrifice: how and who is he, (stationed) within the body, O Slayer of Madhu? And how art Thou to be known at the time of death by those practised in self-control?” (4)
Commentary called Jnaneshwari by Jnaneshwar:
Oh God, who this person that is called Adhiyajna (adhiyajña) is, and how he comes to this body, is indeed beyond the reach of reason. Let me hear too how you, the Supreme Person, are known by devout souls, adept in keeping the hearts under control, when they depart this life. Just see, the man of good fortune sleeping in a house built of Chintamani (wishing-stones)—anything he could blurt out in his dream would not prove in vain; in that way no sooner did these words come out of Arjuna’s mouth, then they were met halfway by Lord Krishna saying, “Hear attentively: I am just telling what you have asked for.”
Kiriti was the very calf of the Kamadhenu (wishing cow), and it was as though he was also resting under the shade of the wishing-tree (Kalpataru). Is there any wonder then that his wishes are fulfilled with pleasure and with ease? Even those whom Lord Krishna smites—out of wrath—would be one with the Supreme eternal everlasting life. How then would one to whom Lord Krishna mercifully preached the eternal truth fail to reach it? When we ourselves live up unto Lord Krishna, Lord Krishna comes to dwell in our very heart, and then the Goddesses of success and perfection (ṛddhisiddhi) are voluntarily at our service. Such an undivided love towards the Lord was only in Arjuna, and hence, all his desires were fulfilled.
Therefore, Lord Anant, anticipating what Arjuna would ask for, held ready the dish in the form of the reply. The mother by instinct feels the need of the child, no sooner than it puts its mouth to the breasts. Does it ever happen that the child first asks for her breasts, and then she takes it for feeding? No wonder then that such deep love towards his disciples is discovered in the merciful Preceptor—the very ocean of kindness. But let that pass. Pray listen to what the Lord said.