Section 1 1

Need of Sadhana

Summary (in English)

The passage underscores the importance of sādhanā (spiritual practice) as essential for liberation or mukti. It begins by venerating Govinda, who is beyond ignorance and possesses supreme bliss, thus guiding seekers on their spiritual path. Human life is presented as rare and precious, with the potential for evolution towards self-realization evident in qualities such as intellectual discernment and yearning for liberation. Liberation cannot be attained by rituals, wealth, or mechanical actions, but through self-realization and internal discernment. The need for a competent teacher and a sincere inquiry into the nature of the true self is emphasized, offering a roadmap towards ultimate liberation through wisdom, detachment, and the fellowship of enlightened individuals. The qualities of a worthy seeker are outlined, stressing discrimination, detachment, and virtues integral for spiritual inquiry.

सारांश

यह अंश आध्यात्मिक साधना के महत्व पर प्रकाश डालता है, जो मुक्ति प्राप्ति के लिए आवश्यक है। यह गोविन्द की वन्दना से आरम्भ होता है, जो अज्ञान से परे और परम आन्नद में स्थित हैं, अतः आत्मिक मार्गदर्शन करते हैं। मानव जीवन को विशेष और दुर्लभ बताया गया है, जिसमें आत्म साक्षात्कार की संभावना प्रकट होती है, विशेष रूप से बौद्धिक विवेक और मुक्ति की इच्छा में। मुक्ति कर्मकाण्ड, धन या यांत्रिक कृत्यों से नहीं, बल्कि आत्म-साक्षात्कार और अंतर्विवेक के माध्यम से ही हासिल की जा सकती है। एक योग्य गुरु की आवश्यकता और सत्य आत्मा के स्वरूप की गहन जिज्ञासा पर जोर दिया गया है, जो ज्ञान, वैराग्य और प्रबुद्ध व्यक्तियों की संगति के माध्यम से परम मुक्ति की दिशा में मार्गदर्शन करता है। एक योग्य साधक की विशेषताएँ विवेक, वैराग्य और आध्यात्मिक जिज्ञासा के लिए आवश्यक गुणों पर बल देती हैं।

Important Concepts (महत्वपूर्ण अवधारणाएँ)

• Govinda (गोविन्द)
• mukti (मुक्ति)
• ātma-anātma-vivecana (आत्मानात्मविवेचन)
• saṁsāra-vāridhi (संसारवारिधि)
• sādhanā (साधना)
• yogārūḍhatva (योगारूढत्व)

Topics

• The rare opportunity of human birth for spiritual evolution
• The necessity of self-realization for liberation
• Importance of a competent guru for guidance
• Qualities of an ideal seeker of self-knowledge
• Distinction between ritualistic actions and discerning wisdom
• The aim of sādhanā in purifying the mind and facilitating realization

Categories (वर्गीकरण)

• Listing characteristics (of a qualified seeker)
• Definitions (of the path to realization)
• Teaching a method (for self-realization)
• Describing obstacles (to liberation)
• Motivation to strive (for spiritual growth)

S-V-O Tuples or Propositions as Text

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

Subject	Verb	Object
Devotee	Bows	Govinda
Human Birth	Is	Rare
Liberation	Requires	Virtuous Deeds
Three Boons	Are	Rare by Divine Grace
Foolish Person	Neglects	Self-interest
Enlightenment	Demands	Self-realization
Wise Person	Should Strive	Liberation
Seeker	Needs	Competent Guru
Action	Purifies	Mind
Knowledge	Depends	Thoughtful Analysis

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.