Verse 18.21

Verse 18.21: “That knowledge which, amidst all the beings, perceives the several characteristics of manifold nature in their distinctness (from one another): that knowledge, understand, is Rajas-dominated. (538)

Commentary called Jnaneshwari by Jnaneshwar:

Oh Partha, now do hear; that knowledge which prevails on the support of distinction is Rajasic knowledge. It breaks into pieces all beings through distinctness, misguides the knowing agent, and creates diversity. Slumber puts a door (screen) in the form of forgetfulness on the objects actually visible and makes (the being) experience the troubles of the dream. In that way, that knowledge makes, before the beings a display of the sport of the three states (wakefulness, dream and deep slumber), in the courtyard (trenches) in the form of false infatuation, outside the fortification (mansion) of the real knowledge of the Self. That knowledge does not see the non-dualistic essence hidden behind names and forms, in the way a child does not know gold hidden behind the form of ornaments.

One ignorant cannot identify the earth appearing in the form of an earthen pot or jar, or one finds it difficult to recognise fire in a lamp on account of its lamp state. A fool forgets the thread, on account of the super-imposed state of cloth or ignoramuses lose sight of the canvas when shown the picture (painted) on it. In that way, that knowledge (Rajas) makes individual beings appear diverse, and thus obscures all notion of unity. The fire is (falsely) accused of distinction on account of the diversity of fire-wood, or the fragrance, on account of the diversity of flowers or the Moon on account of different receptacles of water; in that way that knowledge which makes distinction in objects, such as big and small according to their different forms, is Rajas knowledge. Now I shall explain the signs of Tamas, bear them well in mind, in order to avoid it (Tamas), as one would, the house of a Matanga (lowest class criminal).