Dnyaneshwari – Journey of an Impersonal Vision

Dnyaneshwari Jayanti is being observed this year on the 20th of September. This commemorates the completion of Dnyaneshwari – the profound work of practical wisdom – rendered by Sant Dnyaneshwar during the spiritual renaissance in the 13th century.

Society in those times was in a state of upheaval, rampant with discrimination based on caste and creed. Those from the lower castes did not understand Sanskrit in which the Vedas were written. Hence, the knowledge of these scriptures was not accessible to people from the lower castes; rather, the priest-caste Brahmins considered it to be their privilege as they knew Sanskrit. They considered themselves the guardians of this higher knowledge. Due to this caste discrimination, both Brahmins as well as the lower castes remained bereft of the true wisdom.

Understanding this lowly state of society, Sant Dnyaneshwar was instructed by his Guru and elder brother, Nivruttinath, to scribe a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita. The aim was to make this sacred scripture accessible and easy to understand, so as to disseminate this wisdom to common people in their spoken language – Marathi.

When society receives higher wisdom in their own local contemporary language, it can brings about transformation in their lives. They can be freed of their wrong beliefs and become capable of differentiating between truth and fallacy. This elevates their consciousness and empowers them to find answers to their situations in life.

Sant Dnyaneshwar was just thirteen years old when he commenced working on this sacred text. It is believed to have been translated over a period of two years and became famous as the Dnyaneshwari.

The Bhagavad Gita was narrated by Lord Krishna and has always held a special place in the common man’s heart. It is an amalgamation of the Vedas which expounds the ways of Karma, Wisdom, Devotion and Yoga for attaining the ultimate purpose of human life – Self-Realization.

Sant Dnyaneshwar’s life served as the cause for upliftment of human values for many generations. The Dnyaneshwari continues to benefit the masses till date, providing a simple and accessible way to practical spirituality. The elucidation of higher wisdom by Sant Dnyaneshwar sparked a revolution to dispel the orthodox myths and unravel the essence of true wisdom and devotion.

When one rises beyond one’s individual needs and gets established in the experience of divine oneness, all actions become impersonal and altruistic, for the benefit of masses. Sant Dnyaneshwar’s impersonal vision to impart higher wisdom to society in a simple and effective manner inspired many. He became the epitome of wisdom and devotion.

When people experience pain or sorrow in their lives, they grumble. Many also find it difficult to work for the benefit of others without selfish gain. But this complaint does not hold true when one truly understands and embraces an impersonal way of life.

The Dnyaneshwari represents the rendering of an impersonal life, the divine expression of the Cosmic Self through Sant Dnyaneshwar. Living such an impersonal ideal is an expression of ‘devotion-in-action’. It raises us to the next level of inner growth, purifying and sanctifying our lives.