Dnyaneshwar Maharaj

Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj of Alandi is known to almost everyone. Through His life and conduct, He taught humanity *how a person should think and live*. His life was extremely challenging, yet through His actions, thoughts, and spiritual wisdom, He truly embodied the name Dnyaneshwar — the Lord of Knowledge. From a spiritual perspective, Dnyaneshwar Maharaj was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. At the end of Dwapara Yuga, Vishnu Himself declared that He would take birth as Dnyaneshwar, while Lord Shiva declared that He would incarnate as Nivrittinath. This means the life Dnyaneshwar lived was *the very life of Vishnu incarnate*. Despite possessing complete mastery over the Vedas and full control over the five great elements — earth, water, fire, air, and space, He chose to live a difficult life within society, experiencing its hardships directly. By living among people as one of them, He demonstrated by example: “See every human as a human, live like a human, and treat everyone with humanity.”

He taught through His own life *what a human being should be*. But at that time, society could not fully understand His greatness. His incarnation was solely for the upliftment of humanity. He pointed out many ways in which the fallen condition of human life in Kali Yuga could be improved. When one speaks of Dnyaneshwar, the Warkari tradition naturally comes to mind. “Chant the name of Hari, chant the name of Hari — who can measure such merit?” He constantly encouraged people to chant God’s name birth after birth until liberation naturally occurs. Samarth Ramdas Swami expressed the same truth differently: *“Only after merits of countless births accumulate does spiritual realization occur.”*

Generally, it is a false belief that any soul achieves liberation within a single lifetime. When we examine our own behavior, tendencies, and moral discipline, it becomes clear that life today is not like Dwapara Yuga, not like Treta Yuga, and certainly far from the purity of Satya Yuga. Where in ancient times a common person stood twenty-five or thirty feet tall—strong and spiritually mighty—today in Kali Yuga the average human is weak and heavily burdened.

In our personal lives, we face countless problems — physical, emotional, social, and familial. People act mainly from self-interest and remain trapped in attachment and desire. We worship God however we can and constantly pray for relief from difficulties. Our mind repeatedly remembers *destiny, past karma, and fate*. Success and failure disturb our peace of mind. We rarely get time to look at life with calmness, depth, and steady thought.

When society rejected Dnyaneshwar Maharaj, He presented deep reflections on human life — teachings that everyone should contemplate. Below are ten timeless principles He expressed. Read them, reflect on them, and look at your own life with renewed clarity and purpose.

1. I did not choose where I was born, in which caste or religion, or who my parents would be. Instead of complaining, I should use the abilities nature has given me to create a happy life.
2. I did not choose to be male or female, fair or dark, or how my body would look. But caring for and maintaining whatever body I have *is* in my hands.
3. My parents’ wealth, social status, and personality were not chosen by me. Whatever they are, I must remember they love me.
4. Not everyone receives every happiness. Sorrow will come, and I cannot choose which sorrow I face. Rather than magnifying suffering, I must work positively toward solutions.
5. I cannot control how people behave with me, but I can certainly behave with them with love, patience, good speech, and goodwill.
6. I cannot control many events or circumstances in my life, but positive thinking and proper conduct are always within my control.
7. I did not create this universe, nor does my opinion about how it should function matter. Instead of complaining “Why this? Why not that?”, I should decide: *I will not do what is wrong or unjust.*
8. Knowing that suffering may come to me someday, I should help those around me who are suffering in whatever way I can.
9. Even if I have success and prosperity today, I must remember they can disappear at any time and keep my ego far away.
10. Instead of grieving over what I did not receive, I should be grateful for what I have. And whenever life gives me the opportunity to make the world better, I should never miss that chance.

These thoughts were offered by Dnyaneshwar Maharaj after experiencing a difficult life, for the upliftment of all beings. A deeper study reveals that these words can also be understood as the teachings of Lord Vishnu Himself. In the functioning of the universe — creation, preservation, and dissolution — *preservation* belongs to Vishnu. Thus, from birth until death, human life unfolds according to His plan. Understanding this, each person must decide with wisdom how to live, and which mindset should guide their life’s journey. This summary of a sattvic way of living is offered for understanding your own soul’s journey.