Section 1 1

Need of Sadhana

Summary (in English)

In the provided set of verses, the text explores the need and approach of spiritual sādhanā (practice). It opens by showing reverence to Govinda, the Supreme Guru who embodies divine bliss and knowledge beyond darkness. The slokas stress the rarity and significance of human birth and the essential qualifications for self-realization. They depict the spiritual journey as requiring discernment, detachment, and guidance from a wise guru. Emphasis is placed on understanding one's true nature, transcending rituals and external desires, and engaging in thoughtful self-inquiry and renunciation. Action is seen as a means to mental purification, while true wisdom arises from contemplation and guidance, essential for realizing the unity of self with Brahman.

सारांश

प्रस्तुत श्लोकों के संग्रह में आध्यात्मिक साधना की आवश्यकता और पद्धति पर प्रकाश डाला गया है। गोविन्द, जो परम गुरु और दिव्य आनंद और ज्ञान का प्रतीक है, को श्रद्धांजलि देकर पाठ शुरू होता है। श्लोक मानव जन्म की दुर्लभता और आत्म-साक्षात्कार के लिए आवश्यक अर्हताओं को रेखांकित करते हैं। आध्यात्मिक यात्रा को विवेक, वैराग्य और एक विद्वान गुरु से मार्गदर्शन की आवश्यकता के रूप में वर्णित किया गया है। अपनी सच्ची प्रकृति को समझने, अनुष्ठानों और बाहरी इच्छाओं को पार करने और विचारशील आत्म-आत्मा की जांच और त्याग में संलग्न होने पर जोर दिया गया है। कर्म को मानसिक शुद्धि का साधन माना गया है, जबकि सच्चा ज्ञान चिन्तन और मार्गदर्शन से उत्पन्न होता है, जो ब्रह्म के साथ आत्मा की एकता के एहसास के लिए आवश्यक है।

Important Concepts (महत्वपूर्ण अवधारणाएँ)

• Govinda (गोविन्द)
• Paramānanda (परमानन्द)
• Mukti (मुक्ति)
• Saṁsāra (संसार)
• Ātma-anātma Vivecana (आत्मा-अनात्म विवेक)
• Sādhanā Catuṣṭaya (साधना चतुष्टय)

Topics

• Importance of human birth
• Need for spiritual qualifications
• Role of a Guru
• Discernment and Detachment
• The futility of ritualism without self-awareness

Categories (वर्गीकरण)

• Teaching the path to liberation
• Definitions of spiritual practices
• Importance of intellectual and moral fitness in spirituality
• The necessity of a Guru in spiritual practice

S-V-O Tuples or Propositions as Text

Subject-Verb-Object (S-V-O) Tuples

Subject	Verb	Object
Devotee	bows	Govinda
Human birth	offers	precious opportunity
Wise seeker	strives for	liberation
Actions	purify	mind
Correct comprehension	dispels	illusion
Competent individual	determines	fruition of results
Inquiry	should be undertaken by	seeker of self
Liberation	requires	realization of unity

Slokas & Translations

Sloka 1

सर्ववेदान्तसिद्धान्तगोचरं तमगोचरम् ।
गोविन्दं परमानन्दं सद्गुरुं प्रणतोऽस्म्यहम् ॥ १ ॥

Translation: I bow to Govinda, the supreme blissful Guru, who is beyond the reach of darkness and comprehends all Vedantic truths.

Sloka 2

जन्तूनां नरजन्म दुर्लभमतः पुंस्त्वं ततो विप्रता ।
तस्माद्वैदिकधर्ममार्गपरता विद्वत्त्वमस्मात्परम् । 
आत्मानात्मविवेचनं स्वनुभवो ब्रह्मात्मना संस्थितिः ।
मुक्तिर्नो शतजन्मकोटिसुकृतैः पुण्यैर्विना लभ्यते ॥ २ ॥

Translation: Liberation is not attained without countless virtuous deeds, such as discerning the self from the non-self, self-experience, and abiding in the Self as Brahman.

Sloka 3

दुर्लभं त्रयमेवैतद्देवानुग्रहहेतुकम् ।
मनुष्यत्वं मुमुक्षुत्वं महापुरुषसंश्रयः ॥ ३ ॥

Translation: These three, which are rare and occur by the grace of the divine: human birth, the desire for liberation, and association with great souls.

Sloka 4

लब्ध्वा कथंचिन्नरजन्म दुर्लभं
तत्रापि पुंस्त्वं श्रुतिपारदर्शनम् ।
यस्त्वात्ममुक्तौ न यतेत मूढधीः
स ह्यात्महा स्वं विनिहन्त्यसद्ग्रहात् ॥ ४ ॥

Translation: Having somehow obtained the rare human birth, manhood, and the ability to discern the essence of the scriptures, if one does not strive for self-liberation, being deluded, one destroys oneself by holding onto the unreal.

Sloka 5

इतः को न्वस्ति मूढात्मा यस्तु स्वार्थे प्रमाद्यति ।
दुर्लभं मानुषं देहं प्राप्य तत्रापि पौरुषम् ॥ ५ ॥

Translation: Who indeed is more foolish than the one who neglects self-interest, having attained the rare human body and likewise, strength?

Sloka 6

वदन्तु शास्त्राणि यजन्तु देवान् 
कुर्वन्तु कर्माणि भजन्तु देवताः । 
आत्मैक्यबोधेन विनापि मुक्तिः 
न सिध्यति ब्रह्मशतान्तरेऽपि ॥ ६ ॥

Translation: Without the realization of the unity of the Self, even after hundreds of Brahma's years, liberation cannot be achieved.

Sloka 7

अमृतत्वस्य नाशास्ति वित्तेनेत्येव हि श्रुतिः ।
ब्रवीति कर्मणो मुक्तेरहेतुत्वं स्फुटं यतः ॥ ७ ॥

Translation: Indeed, the scriptures declare that immortality is not attained through wealth. It clearly explains the ineffectiveness of actions in achieving liberation.

Sloka 8

अतो विमुक्त्यै प्रयतेत्विद्वान्
संन्यस्तबाह्यार्थसुखस्पृहः सन् ।
सन्तं महान्तं समुपेत्य देशिकं
तेनोपदिष्टार्थसमाहितात्मा ॥ ८ ॥

Translation: Therefore, let the wise strive for liberation, renouncing desire for external pleasures, approaching a great and noble teacher, and focusing the mind on the teachings imparted by him.

Sloka 9

उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं मग्नं संसारवारिधौ ।
योगारूढत्वमासाद्य सम्यग्दर्शननिष्ठया ॥ ९ ॥

Translation: Lift oneself from the ocean of worldly existence, having attained the state of being established in true vision through yoga.

Sloka 10

संन्यस्य सर्वकर्माणि भवबन्धविमुक्तये ।
यत्यतां पण्डितैर्धीरैरात्माभ्यास उपस्थितैः ॥ १० ॥

Translation: Renouncing all actions for liberation from the bondage of existence, let the wise and steadfast strive through the practice of self-discipline.

Sloka 11

चित्तस्य शुद्धये कर्म न तु वस्तूपलब्धये ।
वस्तुसिद्धिर्विचारेण न किंचित्कर्मकोटिभिः ॥ ११ ॥

Translation: Action is meant for the purification of the mind, not for the attainment of reality; reality is realized through discernment, not by countless actions.

Sloka 12

सम्यग्विचारतः सिद्धा रज्जुतत्त्वावधारणा ।
भ्रान्तोदितमहासर्पभयदुःखविनाशिनी ॥ १२ ॥

Translation: Correct comprehension of the rope's reality dispels the illusory fear and suffering caused by the imagined great snake.

Sloka 13

अर्थस्य निश्चयो दृष्टो विचारेण हितोक्तितः ।
न स्नानेन न दानेन प्राणायमशतेन वा ॥ १३ ॥

Translation: The truth of meaning is perceived through thoughtful analysis and beneficial sayings, not through bathing, giving, or hundreds of breathing exercises.

Sloka 14

अधिकारिणमाशास्ते फलसिद्धिर्विशेषतः ।
उपाया देशकालाद्याः सन्त्यस्मिन्सहकारिणः ॥ १४ ॥

Translation: The fruition of results especially depends on the competent individual, and means such as place and time are contributors in this.

Sloka 15

अतो विचारः कर्तव्यो जिज्ञासोरात्मवस्तुनः ।
समासाद्य दयासिन्धुं गुरुं ब्रह्मविदुत्तमम् ॥ १५ ॥

Translation: Therefore, inquiry into the true nature of the Self should be undertaken by the seeker, having approached a compassionate and supreme knower of Brahman (guru).

Sloka 16

मेधावी पुरुषो विद्वानुहापोहविचक्षणः ।
अधिकार्यात्मविद्यायामुक्तलक्षणलक्षितः ॥ १६ ॥

Translation: The intelligent and wise person, skilled in reasoning and analysis, is fit for the knowledge of the Self, being marked by the stated qualifications.

Sloka 17

विवेकिनो विरक्तस्य शमादिगुणशालिनः।
मुमुक्षोरेव हि ब्रह्मजिज्ञासायोग्यता मता॥ १७ ॥

Translation: Only one with discrimination, detachment, and virtues like calmness, who is also eager for liberation, is considered fit for inquiry into Brahman.