The Genius of Dnyaneshwar Dnyaneshwari Verses 1–40 Geeta Chapter 4
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Chapter 40
Introduction to Chapter 4
We have already seen that Dnyaneshwar narrated a long introduction at the beginning of the first chapter of the Geeta but did not employ an introduction to the second and the third chapters probably because he considered them as a single body of (philosophical) work. He however narrates a small introduction to this, the fourth chapter of the Geeta and takes recourse to introductions to some later chapters in the Geeta as well. This suggests that he had, in his mind, divided the Geeta into sections. Some of these introductions are devotional, others are examples of his feelings for his guru and elder brother Nivrutti as well as for those who have come to listen to him. The introduction to the fourth chapter is about the Geeta herself, the unusually strong and loving bonds between Shrikrishna and Arjun, and quite clearly puts Shrikrishna on a transcendental1 and divine pedestal. He commences by suggesting that the revelation of the Geeta in Shrikrishna’s voice is a bountiful harvest for the ears and that for the ears this revelation is a dream come true. For the ears To hear this truth Their dreams have weighed in As the truth …500 He refers to Shrikrishna as the greatest guru and Arjun as a keen, evenly matched, student. Says Dnyaneshwar that this is a rare occasion when this guru explains the Geeta Speaks on the subject of wisdom And unfolds her substance and idiom2 …501