Sloka 29
Sloka 29
Original Text:
वैराग्यं च मुमुक्षुत्वं तीव्रं यस्य तु विद्यते । तस्मिन्नेवार्थवन्तः स्युः फलवन्तः शमादयः ॥ २९ ॥
- Transliteration:
Vairāgyaṁ ca mumukṣutvaṁ tīvraṁ yasya tu vidyate | Tasminnevārthavantaḥ syuḥ phalavantaḥ śamādayaḥ || 29 ||
- Translation:
To one who possesses intense dispassion and a strong desire for liberation, only in that person do virtues like calmness and others become meaningful and fruitful.
- Word Meanings:
* Vairāgyaṁ - Dispassion * ca - And * mumukṣutvaṁ - Desire for liberation * tīvraṁ - Intense * yasya - Of who * tu - Indeed * vidyate - Exists * tasmin - In that * eva - Only * arthavantaḥ - Meaningful * syuḥ - Become * phalavantaḥ - Fruitful * śama - Calmness * ādayaḥ - And others
- Commentary:
This verse emphasizes the significance of cultivating a profound sense of detachment (vairāgya) and an acute longing for liberation (mumukṣutva) as fundamental prerequisites for a spiritual aspirant. In Vedantic philosophy, these two qualities are essential catalytic elements that propel one towards the attainment of Moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death).
Vairāgya, or detachment, is the ability to remain uninfluenced by the transient and often distracting allure of worldly pleasures and possessions. It is the inner conviction that such objects do not constitute true lasting happiness. Mumukṣutva, the intense desire for liberation, acts as a guiding force, ensuring the aspirant remains steadfast on the spiritual path.
The verse further explains that virtues such as śama (calmness), dama (self-control), uparati (withdrawal), titikṣa (forbearance), śraddhā (faith), and samādhāna (equanimity)—all are components of ṣaṭ-sampat (the six-fold wealth) necessary for an aspirant—only yield their true potential and purpose in the presence of strong dispassion and longing for liberation. Without these foundational qualities, virtues may be practiced superficially but lack the depth and efficacy necessary to transform one's inner state. Hence, this sloka underlines the need for intense inner passion directed towards liberation, which, in turn, will make other virtues effective tools in the spiritual journey.
Further Readings: