Sloka 85
Sloka 85
Original Text:
मोह एव महामृत्युर्मुमुक्षोर्वपुरादिषु । मोहो विनिर्जितो येन स मुक्तिपदमर्हति ॥ ८५ ॥
Certainly! Let's delve into the given sloka with a detailed explanation:
- **Transliteration:**
Mohah eva mahāmṛtyur mumukṣor vaparādiṣu | Moho vinirjito yena sa muktipadam arhati || 85 ||
- **Translation:**
Delusion itself is the great death for one seeking liberation, residing in the body and senses. He who has conquered this delusion is worthy of attaining the state of liberation.
- **Word Meanings:**
* मोह (mohah) - delusion * एव (eva) - indeed, itself * महा-मृत्युः (mahāmṛtyuh) - great death * मुमुक्षोः (mumukṣoh) - of one desiring liberation * वपुः-आदिषु (vapuḥ-ādiṣu) - in the body and the rest (senses, mind, etc.) * मोहः (mohah) - delusion * विनिर्जितः (vinirjitah) - conquered, overcome * येन (yena) - by whom * सः (sah) - he * मुक्तिपदम् (muktipadam) - the state of liberation * अर्हति (arhati) - deserves, is worthy of
- **Commentary:**
This sloka highlights delusion (moha) as the principal obstacle in the path of spiritual seekers who yearn for moksha, or liberation. Delusion is equated to "mahāmṛtyu," a catastrophic death, emphasizing its potency to perpetuate cycles of birth and death, thus hindering spiritual emancipation.
In the Vedantic tradition, moha is considered a formidable impediment because it manifests as ignorance and attachment to the ephemeral world, primarily through identification with the physical body (vapu) and other faculties like the senses and mind. This identification leads to desires and fears, binding the individual to the samsaric cycle.
The sloka assures that by conquering delusion, one not only averts this "great death" but also becomes eligible for liberation, which is the ultimate transcendence from the material realm. To overcome delusion, spiritual practices such as self-inquiry (atmavichara), meditation, and discernment (viveka) are often prescribed.
The teaching resonates with the core Vedantic principle that realization of one's true nature as the self (atman) beyond the transient body-mind complex is essential for moksha. Thus, this sloka serves as an exhortation for aspirants to diligently engage in introspection and spiritual disciplines to dissolve ignorance and realize their inherent freedom.
Further Readings: