Sloka 71
Sloka 71
Original Text:
यद्बोद्धव्यं तवेदानीमात्मानात्मविवेचनम् । तदुच्यते मया सम्यक्श्रुत्वात्मन्यवधारय ॥ ७१ ॥
Certainly! Here is an analysis of the provided sloka:
- **Transliteration:**
yad boddhavyaṁ tavedānīm ātmānātma-vivecanam | tad ucyate mayā samyak śrutvātmany avadhāraya || 71 ||
- **Translation:**
What is to be understood by you now is the discrimination between the Self and the non-Self. That I explain thoroughly; listen carefully and comprehend this within yourself.
- **Word Meanings:**
* yad - what * boddhavyam - is to be understood * tava - your * idānīm - now * ātmā - the Self * anātma - non-Self * vivecanam - discrimination * tat - that * ucyate - is said * mayā - by me * samyak - thoroughly * śrutvā - having listened * ātmani - in the Self * avadhāraya - comprehend
- **Commentary:**
This sloka emphasizes the importance of discerning the difference between the 'Self' (ātman) and 'non-Self' (anātman). In Vedantic philosophy, understanding this discrimination is fundamental to spiritual growth and the attainment of true knowledge or moksha (liberation). The verse is an instruction from a teacher to a student, illustrating the tradition of oral transmission of wisdom in the Guru-śiṣya paramparā (teacher-disciple lineage).
The 'Self', or ātman, refers to the eternal, unchanging reality that is the true essence of an individual. In contrast, the 'non-Self', or anātman, comprises the body, mind, and intellect, which are temporary and subject to change.
The teacher encourages the student to 'listen' and 'comprehend,' indicating that mere hearing is not sufficient; one must internalize and actualize this knowledge. It signifies a shift from theoretical understanding to practical realization. This sloka, therefore, serves as a crucial reminder of the need for focused inquiry and meditation to differentiate between what is real and unreal, leading one closer to self-realization.
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