Gyaneshwari Geeta-3

Gyaneshwari Geeta-3

I now bow to the goddess of learning who, with her novel graceful speech and mastery of arts and skills, holds the world spellbound. My worthy Guru seated in my heart has helped me to cross the flood of existence, and because of him I take special interest in discriminating knowledge. As the antimony applied to the eye extends a person’s vision and the hidden treasure reveals itself to him wherever he casts his eye, or one who has the philosopher’s stone in hand gains all desires, so by the grace of my Guru Nivritti all my desires are fulfilled. Therefore a wise person should serve his Guru and accomplish his object, even as by watering the trees at the base, its branches and leaves become fresh (21-25) or by a dip in the sea one acquires the merit of bathing at all holy places, or by a sip of nectar one enjoys the taste of all juices. So again and again I salute my Guru, who has fulfilled all my desires.

Now listen to a profound tale (Mahabharata), the source of all arts and entertainments, the marvelous garden of trees in the form of discriminating thoughts - nay it is the source of joy, being the treasure-house of doctrines and the overfull ocean of nine ambrosial sentiments. Or one may say that it is the primal adobe become manifest, the origin of all lores and the dwelling-place of all sciences (26-30). It is the refuge of all the religions, the cynosure of holy men and the treasure chest of the lovely gems of goddess of learning. It seems that in the form of various stories the goddess of speech became manifest to the worlds by revealing herself to the high-minded Vyasa. This tale is, therefore, the queen of poetry and the source of respect, which literary works command; and from this tale the sentiments (rasas) have received their poetical flavour. From this tale onwards literary works became less arid and doubly sweet. Because the literary art became more erudite, spiritual knowledge became more agreeable and the fortunate state of happiness became perfect (31-35). Because of it, sweet things became sweeter, the erotic sentiment more elegant, and what is proper became popular and acceptable. Because of it, literary art became skilled, and merit especially powerful, as a result of which Janamejaya easily got rid of his sin (of Brahmin-slaughter).

A brief reflection will show that in this work, excellence became especially elegant, and virtues have received the brilliance of righteousness. Just as the three worlds are lit up by the sun’s light, so this world has become illumined by the intelligence of Vyasa. Even as seeds sown in a fertile field grow luxuriantly by themselves, so all subjects have attained excellence in the Bharata (36- 40). Just as a person becomes cultured by staying in a city, so all subjects have become illuminated by the work of Vyasa. Just as in youth, a tender bloom of beauty spreads over the body of a maiden, or with the advent of spring, the gardens become flush with blossoms, or the ordinary gold bars look beautiful when turned into ornaments, so this tale has become elegant in the flowery style of Vyasa, and probably because of this, historical works have resorted to it (41-45). In order to secure fame various Puranas, assuming a humble posture, have become incorporated in it in the form of anecdotes. Nothing exists in all the three worlds, which is not found in the Mahabharata; and so it is said that every tale in the three worlds is the leftover of Vyasa. This mellifluous tale, which is the source of the highest truth, was narrated by Vaishampayana to King Janamejaya. This tale is the best without an equal, holy and incomparable, the home of auspiciousness; now listen further.

Om Namah Shivay