Verse 16.11

Verse 16.11: “Engrossed in countless anxieties, which can only terminate with (the world’s) dissolution; making gratification of desires their highest (aim), in the firm conviction that that is the only thing. (330)

Commentary called Jnaneshwari by Jnaneshwar:

They conduct all their affairs, keeping this aim in view, and also feel anxious for after-life conditions (of affairs with which they are concerned in their life-time). They go on ever increasing their limitless anxiety—anxiety deeper than the region under the earth (pātāla) and higher than the sky, and of a magnitude before which even the three worlds would, in comparision, appear smaller than an atom—unique anxiety (of the kind) felt by the Yogins for scaling the (razor blade) ladder (path) of yoga; (Note—In Moghe edition the Patha (pāṭha [pāṭhaṃ]) is ‘Yogapatha,’ while in Bhide edition the Patha is ‘Bhogapatha’)—anxiety (of the kind) and which does not permit (a faithful wife) to part with her husband’s body (even if it becomes lifeless). They remain engrossed in anxieties for the enjoyment of sense-objects. (They are fond of) hearing women sing, beholding intently their personal beauty, and holding them in close embrace (sarvendriya—in a way to bring all their limbs in close bodily contact). They wave the very nectar around them (women) and remain firmly convinced in their mind that no other happiness is greater or more real than that (obtained out) of women, and then run for (securing) that enjoyment, even beyond the ten directions—to the region under the earth and heaven.