ज्ञानेश्वरी -Introduction, verses 1 and 2

 श्रीः

The ज्ञानेश्वरी is a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita written by Sant ज्ञानेश्वर in Marathi. It comprises a total of 9000 verses known as 'Ovi'. Bhavartha Deepika is another name for ज्ञानेश्वरी. Sant ज्ञानेश्वर was born in the 13 century and lived for only 21 years of age.During his short lifetime, he has composed such a great treatise that has been a gift for the entire mankind. The first two verses are described below-

1- ओं नमो जी आद्या । वेद प्रतिपाद्या ।

    जय जय स्वसंवेद्या । आत्मरूपा ।।

Meaning- The syllable Om  has a great significance.Om , self and Guru are the same.It is very important to have a spiritual guru in order to attain the परब्रह्म. The Vedas and Upanishads have all developed from this Om.Shri ज्ञानदेव salutes the syllable Om and later Lord Ganesha who is to be worshipped first. Lord Ganesha is knowledge personified and divine.

2-देवा तूचि गणेशु । सकलार्थमतिप्रकाशु ।

   म्हणे निवृत्तिदासु । अवधारिजो जी ।।

Meaning- ज्ञानदेव rightly says that Guru and Ganesha are one and the same. Just as Ganesha is knowledge personified , the Guru helps in giving knowledge for seekers. We need a Guru in order to achieve the Supreme spirit and , to attain the greatest knowledge. ज्ञानदेव also says that निवृत्तिनाथ , his Guru is the Lord of introvertedness. Thus , we need to be introvert to attain knowledge.