Sloka 103
Sloka 103
Original Text:
विषयाणामानुकूल्ये सुखी दुःखी विपर्यये । सुखं दुःखं च तद्धर्मः सदानन्दस्य नात्मनः ॥ १0५ ॥
- Transliteration:
Viṣayāṇām ānukūlye sukhī duḥkhī viparyaye। Sukhaṃ duḥkhaṃ ca taddharmaḥ sadānandasya nātmanaḥ॥ 105॥
- Translation:
Happiness and sorrow are experienced based on the favorable and unfavorable conditions of sense objects. This happiness and sorrow pertain to the nature of constant change, not to the Self, which is ever-blissful.
- Word Meanings:
* Viṣayāṇām - of the sense objects * Ānukūlye - in favorable situations * Sukhī - happy * Duḥkhī - sorrowful * Viparyaye - in contrary situations * Sukham - happiness * Duḥkham - sorrow * Ca - and * Tad-dharmaḥ - nature or quality of that * Sadānandasya - of the ever-blissful * Na - not * Ātmanaḥ - of the Self
- Commentary:
This sloka highlights an essential concept in Vedanta: the transient nature of worldly experiences versus the eternal nature of the Self. It suggests that the happiness and sorrow people experience result from their interactions with sense objects, which are inherently impermanent and mutable. These emotional responses are tied to the external conditions being either favorable or unfavorable. However, this cycle of pleasure and pain does not affect the true nature of the Self (Ātman), which remains in a state of unchanging bliss (sadānanda).
The verse encourages individuals to recognize the distinction between temporary emotions caused by external stimuli and the unshakable inner bliss of the Self. By understanding that the true nature of the Self is beyond these worldly fluctuations, one can cultivate equanimity and detachment, fundamental in the path of spirituality. This realization aids in reducing attachment to sense objects and encourages focusing inward, where true and perpetual happiness resides.
Further Readings: