Sloka 81
Sloka 81
Original Text:
विषमविषयमार्गैर्गच्छतोऽनच्छबुद्धेः प्रतिपदमभियातो मृत्युरप्येष विद्धि । हितसुजनगुरुक्त्या गच्छतः स्वस्य युक्त्या प्रभवति फलसिद्धिः सत्यमित्येव विद्धि ॥ ८१ ॥
- **Transliteration:**
viṣamaviṣayamārgairgacchato'nacchabuddheḥ pratipadamabhyāto mṛtyurapyeṣa viddhi | hitasujanaguruktyā gacchataḥ svasya yuktyā prabhavati phalasiddhiḥ satyamityeva viddhi || 81 ||
- **Translation:**
Know that death accompanies at every step those of impure intellect traversing on perilous paths of sense pleasures. For those who advance by the beneficial advice of righteous people and their own reasoning, success in attaining results surely arises. Know this to be true.
- **Word Meanings:**
* viṣama - perilous * viṣaya - sense objects * mārgaiḥ - by paths * gacchataḥ - travelling * anaccha - impure * buddheḥ - of intellect * pratipadam - at every step * abhiyātaḥ - accompanies * mṛtyuḥ - death * api - even * eṣaḥ - this * viddhi - know * hita - beneficial * sujana - of good people * guruktyā - by the advice of the teacher * gacchataḥ - going * svasya - own * yuktyā - by reasoning * prabhavati - arises * phalasiddhiḥ - fruition of efforts * satyam - true * iti - thus * eva - indeed
- **Commentary:**
This verse elucidates a core principle of ethical and practical guidance. It contrasts two paths: one led by the uncontrolled draw toward sensory pleasures and the other guided by discernment influenced by wise counsel and personal insight. The journey marked by ignorance (anacchabuddhi) is fraught with constant peril, akin to walking with death. Such an approach leads ultimately to one’s detriment, emphasizing the destructive nature of unchecked desires.
Conversely, the approach grounded in the teachings of virtuous individuals and one's own judicious analysis is marked by assurance and eventual success. The sloka encourages aligning one's actions with wisdom and prudence; it stresses the importance of companionship and guidance from the virtuous as well as reliance on one's rational faculties. Such alignment is the seed of fulfillment and accomplishment, stated here as an undeniable truth ('satyamityeva viddhi').
This teaching resonates with foundational concepts in Vedantic philosophy where discernment (viveka) and self-discipline (vairagya) are highlighted as essential tools for the journey toward ultimate truth and liberation (moksha). Balancing external guidance with internal insight creates a harmonious path leading to real success and well-being.
Further Readings: