Part VII – Transcend Spiritual Ego
(Stanza 7: Brahma )
Stanza 7
Haho Krodh Yave Kothe, Avaghe Apan Nigote||1||
Aise Kalle Utam, Jan Teychi Janardhan ||2||
Bridh BandhileCharni, Naye Davite Karni ||3||
Vele Krodhacha Ugavala, Avagha Yoga Phol Jhala ||4||
Stanza 7
हहो क्रोध यावे कोठे । अवघे आपण निगोटे ॥१॥
ऐसे कळले उत्तम । जन तेचि जनार्दन ॥२॥
ब्रीद बांधिले चरणी । नये दाविता करणी ॥३॥
वेळे क्रोधाचा उगवला । अवघा योग फोल झाला ॥४॥
ताटी उघडा ज्ञानेश्वरा ॥५॥
Where will anger find a quarter, when we are the world and one? Supreme is the realisation that people are our gods. Act if we cannot by it, then words are no more than dust. In the heat of the moment, tempers lost and lost is the poise we had asked for. So hold the world in your eyes and Open the door, dear Brother!
Translation
Verse 1
हहो क्रोध यावे कोठे । अवघे आपण निगोटे
“Where is the occasion for anger to arise, when all are our own kith and kin?”
Or:
“How can anger arise when everyone belongs to the same Self?”
Verse 2
ऐसे कळले उत्तम । जन तेचि जनार्दन
“When this truth is understood, one realizes that the people themselves are Janardana (God).”
Or:
“To understand that every being is God Himself is the highest wisdom.”
Verse 3
ब्रीद बांधिले चरणी । नये दाविता करणी
“Having surrendered one’s vow at the Guru’s Feet, one should not advertise one’s actions.”
Or:
“One who has dedicated himself at the Divine Feet does not display his virtues and deeds.”
Verse 4
वेळे क्रोधाचा उगवला । अवघा योग फोल झाला
“The moment anger arises, the entire Yoga becomes fruitless.”
Or:
“When anger takes hold, all spiritual practice loses its value.”
Notice the beautiful flow.
Stanza 6
Why should we forgive?
Because all are part of one Reality.
Stanza 7
If all are one Reality,
then who remains to be angry with?
Muktabai is deepening the same teaching.
“Where Can Anger Arise?”
This is not merely moral advice.
It is Advaita.
The ordinary person says:
He insulted me.
The Yogi asks:
Who is this “he”?
Who is this “me”?
When separateness weakens, anger naturally weakens.
Bhagavan Nityananda and Anger
Bhagavan sometimes outwardly scolded devotees.
But those who lived with Him observed that it was never personal.
Like a surgeon’s knife. Like a mother’s reprimand. There was no ego behind it.
Muktabai is speaking about ego-born anger:
- resentment,
- hatred,
- revenge,
- wounded pride.
These are incompatible with Sudha Bhavana.
2. “Jan Techi Janardan”
This is one of the most profound statements in the Abhang.
जन तेचि जनार्दन
“The people themselves are Janardana.”
Janardana is a name of Lord Vishnu.
Muktabai is saying:
The God you seek in temples
stands before you as living beings.
Bhagavan’s Vishal Maan
This is exactly what Bhagavan taught.
The expanded heart sees:
- God in the saint,
- God in the sinner,
- God in the poor,
- God in the rich,
- God in the animal,
- God in the devotee.
This is not poetry.
It is vision.
Vivekachudamani Connection
Shankaracharya repeatedly points toward:
Sarvatma Bhava
The recognition of the Self in all beings.
When this vision matures:
Compassion becomes natural.
Anger becomes difficult.
Hatred becomes impossible.
3. “Bridh Bandhile Charani”
This line is often overlooked.
ब्रीद
means vow, principle, sacred commitment.
Muktabai says:
Having surrendered at the Feet of the Divine,
do not display your spirituality.
A Warning Against Spiritual Exhibition
This follows Stanza 3 beautifully.
Remember:
Wearing robes does not make a saint.
Now she says:
Neither does displaying spirituality.
The true Yogi:
- serves quietly,
- loves quietly,
- prays quietly.
Bhagavan Nityananda’s Life
Bhagavan constantly avoided self-advertisement.
Miracles occurred.
Yet He discouraged fascination with miracles.
He directed seekers toward:
- inner transformation,
- purity,
This line reflects that same spirit.
4. “The Moment Anger Arises”
वेळे क्रोधाचा उगवला । अवघा योग फोल झाला
This is the climax of the stanza.
Muktabai is not exaggerating.
Why is anger so dangerous?
Because anger immediately creates:
Separation
“I” versus “you.”
Ego
“I have been wronged.”
Loss of Awareness
The Witness is forgotten.
Loss of Compassion
The Heart closes.
Thus, anger can undo years of spiritual refinement.
Vivekachudamani and Anger
Shankaracharya repeatedly identifies:
Kama
leading to
Krodha
as major obstacles.
Anger agitates the mind.
An agitated mind cannot contemplate.
Without contemplation:
Bhavana weakens.
Without Bhavana:
the Heart closes.
Thus anger directly obstructs realisation.
Relation to Sudha Bhavana
This stanza is perhaps one of the clearest descriptions of Sudha Bhavana.
A pure heart sees:
All are mine.
A purer heart sees:
All are God’s.
The purest heart sees:
All are God.
That final vision is:
जन तेचि जनार्दन
Relation to the Heart (Hridaya)
In our study of Vivekachudamani:
Buddhi
knows Brahman.
Bhakti
loves Brahman.
Bhavana
feels Brahman everywhere.
Heart
becomes the meeting place of knowledge and love.
This stanza describes exactly that condition.
When the Heart awakens:
God is no longer confined to:
- temples,
- scriptures,
One begins to see God in living beings.
Application for the Modern Seeker
Whenever anger arises, ask:
Question 1
What exactly am I protecting?
My dignity?
My opinion?
My ego?
Question 2
Am I seeing a person?
Or am I seeing Janardana?
Question 3
Will this anger deepen my Yoga?
Or destroy it?
Muktabai’s answer is clear:
The moment anger dominates,
Yoga becomes fruitless.
Connection to Bhagavan’s Core Teachings
This stanza beautifully brings together:
Nirmal Maan
Freedom from resentment.
Vishal Maan
Seeing everyone as one’s own.
Sudha Bhavana
Seeing God in all.
Anyanasharanam
Surrender at the Divine Feet.
Sabh Mithi
Dropping egoic reactions.
Guru Krupa
Receiving the vision that all beings are manifestations of the One.
Essence of Stanza Seven
If Stanza 6 taught:
“Others are not separate from you,”
Stanza 7 teaches:
“Others are God Himself.”
Therefore:
- Anger has no place.
- Spiritual pride has no place.
- Self-advertisement has no place.
The true Yogi sees all beings as Janardana, quietly serves without display, remains established in humility, and guards the Heart against anger.
Then, says Muktabai,
“ताटी उघडा ज्ञानेश्वरा“
“Open the Door, O Jnaneshwara.”
For the door of the Heart opens fully only when there remains no “other” against whom anger can arise.
Note:
“Images shared in this article are in good faith for spiritual purposes.
Credit unknown. Will acknowledge/remove if required.”
