Sloka 19

Sloka 19

Original Text:

आदौ नित्यानित्यवस्तुविवेकः परिगम्यते । 
इहामुत्रफलभोगविरागस्तदनन्तरम्
शमादिषट्कसम्पत्तिर्मुमुक्षुत्वमिति स्फुटम् ॥ १९ ॥ 

- Transliteration:

 Ādau nityānityavastuvivekaḥ parigamyate. 
 Ihāmutraphalabhogavirāgastadanantaram 
 śamādiṣaṭkasampattirmumukṣutvamiti sphuṭam. 

- Translation:

 At the beginning, the discrimination between the eternal and the non-eternal is to be understood. Thereafter, follows dispassion towards the enjoyment of fruits here and hereafter, the acquisition of the six-fold virtues, and the intense yearning for liberation—this is clearly delineated.

Word Meanings:

 * Ādau - in the beginning
 * Nitya - eternal
 * Anitya - non-eternal
 * Vastu - objects
 * Vivekaḥ - discrimination
 * Parigamyate - is to be understood
 * Iha - here
 * Amutra - hereafter
 * Phala - fruits
 * Bhoga - enjoyment
 * Virāgaḥ - dispassion
 * Tadanantaram - thereafter
 * Śama - control of the mind
 * Ādi - and others
 * Ṣaṭka - six-fold
 * Sampattiḥ - wealth
 * Mumukṣutvam - longing for liberation
 * Iti - thus
 * Sphuṭam - clearly

- Commentary:

 This verse outlines the quintessential prerequisites for a seeker on the path of self-realization and liberation as defined in Vedanta philosophy. The journey commences with 'viveka'—the capacity to discern the eternal (Brahman, the ultimate reality) from the non-eternal (the transient material world). This foundational understanding is crucial as it initiates the detachment from ephemeral pleasures (virāga) that are bound by the temporal world.

 The detachment leads to the cultivation of six essential virtues known as the 'ṣaṭkasampatti'. These are: 
 1. Śama (inner calm), 
 2. Dama (self-restraint), 
 3. Uparati (withdrawal from sensory engagements), 
 4. Titikṣā (endurance), 
 5. Śraddhā (faith), and 
 6. Samādhāna (concentration).

 Finally, an intense yearning for liberation, 'mumukṣutvam', is emphasized as the driving force to transcend worldly entanglements. This verse succinctly captures the essence of the preparatory discipline needed for spiritual advancement. Each stage progressively leads the aspirant away from material bondage toward the ultimate goal of liberation or 'moksha', all of which are vital for the successful navigation through the path to self-realization.

Further Readings:

• Vedanta
• Vivekachudamani