Sloka 65
Sloka 65
Original Text:
आप्तोक्तिं खननं तथोपरिशिलाद्युत्कर्षणं स्वीकृतिं निक्षेपः समपेक्षते नहि बहिः शब्दैस्तु निर्गच्छति । तद्वद्ब्रह्मविदोपदेशमननध्यानादिभिर्लभ्यते मायाकार्यतिरोहितं स्वममलं तत्त्वं न दुर्युक्तिभिः ॥ ६५ ॥
Certainly! Here is the detailed analysis of the given sloka:
- **Transliteration:**
Āptoktiṁ khananaṁ tathopariśilādyutkarṣaṇaṁ svīkṛtiṁ Nikṣepaḥ samapekṣate nahi bahiḥ śabdaiḥ tu nirgacchati. Tadvad brahmavidopadeśaṁ manana-dhyānādibhir labhyate Māyākāryatiroḥitaṁ svam amalaṁ tattvaṁ na duryuktibhiḥ.
- **Translation:**
Just as the process of mining requires consultation of reliable statements, digging, and extraction by removing obstacles, and finally acceptance, and cannot be achieved externally by mere words; in the same way, the realization of the pure true essence hidden by Maya, as taught by the knower of Brahman, is attained through reflection, meditation, and similar practices, and not through faulty logic.
- **Word Meanings:**
* Āptoktiṁ - statement from a reliable/expert source * Khananaṁ - digging * Tathā - also * Upariśilā - overlying stone * Adi - etcetera * Utkarṣaṇaṁ - removal/extraction * Svīkṛtiṁ - acceptance * Nikṣepaḥ - deposit (here referring to finding something valuable like a treasure or gem) * Samapekṣate - requires * Nahi - not * Bahiḥ - outside * Śabdaiḥ - with words * Tu - but * Nirgacchati - emerges * Tadvat - in the same way * Brahmavidopadeśaṁ - teaching of the knower of Brahman * Manana - reflection * Dhyāna - meditation * Adibhiḥ - and other similar means * Labhyate - attained * Māyākārya - illusory effects of Maya * Tirohitaṁ - concealed * Svam - one's own, inherent * Amalaṁ - pure, stainless * Tattvaṁ - truth, essence * Na - not * Duryuktibhiḥ - through faulty/incorrect reasoning or logic
- **Commentary:**
This sloka draws a parallel between the meticulous process of mining and the pursuit of spiritual knowledge. Just as mining requires consultation from an expert, hard labor, and removing obstacles to uncover hidden treasures, spiritual realization also demands a dedicated and systematic approach. Mere intellectual effort or outward verbosity fails to reveal the innermost truths. The essence of Brahman, which remains concealed by the veils of Maya's illusion, can only be grasped through diligent practice, reflection (`manana`), and meditation (`dhyāna`). This highlights the importance of earnest practice over theoretical debates, emphasizing that profound truths are realized internally through one's own efforts, under the guidance of enlightened teachings and not through flawed or superficial reasoning. This echoes major Vedantic teachings where self-inquiry and rigorous practice are vital for true understanding and liberation.
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