“SWAMI MHANE……….”

AMRUTANUBHAV.

(EXPERIENCE ECSTATIC.)

Sant Dnyāneshwar (1275-1296).

I have a hunch that, Sant Niwrattinath must have been extremely happy and highly impressed by great poetical talent, deep philosophical insight and spellbinding oratory of his whiz kid sibling, his disciple Sant Dnyaneshwar, during latter’s discourses on “Shrimadbhagawadgeeta”.

Small wonder then, that, this must have made Sant Niwrattinath, sometime after year 1290, to prompt Sant Dnyaneshwar, to write about latter’s experience of resonance/union, with God/Almighty/ cosmic consciousness. He very well knew that, Sant Dnyaneshwar is a perfect vehicle/medium for such a herculean task, having walked the talk.

There is no doubt that, “Dnyaneshwari” is a masterpiece of Marathi literature. However, Sant Dnyaneshwar had to restrict his flight of imagination within the framework of “Geeta”. As against this, “Amrutanubhav”, is a unique narrative, of his own experience, of oneness with the FORMLESS, the ABSOLUTE. King of semantics, the literature lord, Sant Dnyaneshwar, with his unlimited vocabulary, therefore, takes the reader on a completely different plane, in "Amrutanubhav". Here we must remember that FORMLESS does not mean without a form. It means the all pervasive/ omnipresent, which is not bound by any particular form or all forms put together.

Compared to “Dnyaneshwari”, “Amrutanubhav”, is much smaller in volume. It has 806 stanzas (Ovis) in 10 Chapters, as against 18 Chapters and 9033 stanzas, (Ovis) of “Dnyaneshwari”. However, it is very rich in its content.

Sant Tukaram, in one of his “Abhangs”, has said, that, saints wealth is gems of words and so is their weaponry. Master of vocabulary, Sant Dnyaneshwar’s entire literature is a glaring example of first part of Sant Tukaram’s Abhang, it is strewn with gems of his words. Surprisingly, there is no trace of criticism, offensive/bad words, or derogatory remarks, anywhere in his literature, in spite of the fact, that, he and his siblings were greatly humiliated, looked down upon and disdained by the society being the children of a man who, before their birth had accepted the path of renunciation (embraced SANYASA).

Truly speaking, there can be no comparison, between his different works. The central theme of his elucidation throughout his writing remains focused on “Adwaita”/ monism. However, I personally feel, “Amrutanubhav” tops the list of his major works, as it is a rendering of his heart without straightjacket of any framework. Further, coming from the bottom of his heart it is captivating. Touching the right cord it conquers/rules, readers hearts.

Most of the scriptural writings are in the dialogue form. All three major works of Sant Dnyaneshwar,are no different . " Dnyaneshwari", is a dialogue with the audience, and "Changdev Pasashti" a dialogue with a Yogi which is in the form of a letter.

"Amrutanubhav", however, is a dialogue with self. It is a kind of a soliloquy/monologue. For any conversation/dialogue minimum two individuals are required, whereas here there is none else. It is the Godhead doing loud thinking through Sant Dnyaneshwar for the benefit of the mankind, the humanity as a whole.