The Genius of Dnyaneshwar
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Don’t look to any gods for directions Your decreed karma Do with relish and satisfaction …375 23
Honestly follow your natural traits Like a devoted wife serves her mate*
…376 * By today’s standards, this is a sexist statement in the absence of a corresponding mention of a husband helping or serving a wife or her cause. But one must realise that this is in thirteenth century India.
Your way of life will give Whatever you want If you give up your way Vices will haunt …377 The next chapter will take into account a certain social order, hierarchy24 so to say, which needs to be adhered to for the concept of karma to be practised properly. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24.
propitiate – to appease, to win the favour of somebody milieu – the social environment in which a person lives or works decree – an official order issued by a legal authority bristle – to be full of something hypocrisy – deception, deceit, here as in by the then social law despicable – detestable, mean, shameless mire – swamp, bog, mud avarice – greed domain – an area under one rule simile – compare one thing with another metaphor – symbolic imagery rein – to control or check vice – immoral conduct, evil, bad habit haywire – badly disturbed, disorganised, out of control obscure – hidden, not clearly understood salvation – saving from calamity, deliverance crucible – situation of severe test or trial, in which different elements interact to produce something new fossilization – to become fixed, to resist change or development meditate – reflect, think, ponder adoration – worship, idolise amulet – a small piece of jewellery worn to ward off evil incantation – use of a magical formula trait – distinguishing feature of a person hierarchy – a ranking system ordered according to status or authority