Verse 13.9

Verse 13.9: “Absence of fondness and of passionate clinging towards son, wife, home and the like; and a constant Equanimity of disposition under all desired and undesired contingencies: (594)

Commentary called Jnaneshwari by Jnaneshwar:

He remains apathetic in regard to his person in the way a wayfarer sits (resting) in a carvansari. He does not harbour even as much attachment for his own household as one would for the shade of a tree under which he rests on his way. He never feels any attraction for his wife in the way one does not notice his own shadow even though it is ever by his side. He treats his progeny as if they were wayfarers only (temporarily) staying with him, or as if they were herds of cattle resting at noon time under a tree-shade. Even though in the midst of riches, he appears, Oh Son of Pandu, as if he is there as a mere onlooker passing by. In short, he abides strictly following the directions contained in the Vedas, as if he is a parrot confined to a cage. Even though he never gets entangled in any fondness or passionate clinging towards his wife, home, or son, yet he is the foster-mother (resting place) of knowledge. To him both good and evil (things) are the same, in the way the summer and the rainy season are to the ocean. Pleasure and pain make no difference to his mind, in the way the three periods of the day (morning, noon and evening) make no difference to the Sun. One in whom there is never found wanting evenness of disposition like the sky—in such a one dwells incarnate, sterling knowledge, know ye.