Sloka 112
Sloka 112
Original Text:
प्रज्ञावानपि पण्डितोऽपि चतुरोऽप्यत्यन्तसूक्ष्मात्मदृग् व्यालीढस्तमसा न वेत्ति बहुधा संबोधितोऽपि स्फुटम् । भ्रान्त्यारोपितमेव साधु कलयत्यालम्बते तद्गुणान् हन्तासौ प्रबला दुरन्ततमसः शक्तिर्महत्यावृतिः ॥ ११४ ॥
Certainly! Here's the analysis of the given sloka:
- **Transliteration:**
prajñāvān api paṇḍito'pi chaturo'py atyanta-sūkṣmātma-dṛg vyālīḍhas tamasā na vetti bahudhā sambodhito'pi sphuṭam । bhrāntyāropitam eva sādhu kalayaty ālambate tad-guṇān hantāsau prabalā durantatamasaḥ śaktir mahatyāvṛtiḥ ॥ 114 ॥
- **Translation:**
Even one who is wise, learned, clever, and perceives the subtle essence is overpowered by darkness and does not understand clearly, even when repeatedly instructed. He perceives only what is falsely superimposed and attributes goodness to it, adhering to its qualities. Alas, this is the formidable power of great darkness, the veil that is difficult to overcome.
- **Word Meanings:**
* prajñāvān - wise * api - even * paṇḍitaḥ - learned * api - even * chaturaḥ - clever * api - even * atyanta - extremely * sūkṣma - subtle * ātma-dṛk - perceiver of the self * vyālīḍhaḥ - overpowered * tamasā - by darkness * na - not * vetti - knows/understands * bahudhā - repeatedly * sambodhitaḥ - instructed * api - even * sphuṭam - clearly * bhrāntyā - by delusion * āropitam - superimposed * eva - alone * sādhu - well/rightly * kalayati - considers * ālambate - holds onto * tad-guṇān - its qualities * hanta - alas * asau - this * prabalā - formidable * durantatamasaḥ - of great darkness * śaktiḥ - power * mahatī - great * āvṛtiḥ - veil
- **Commentary:**
This sloka reflects on the powerful influence of ignorance (avidya or tamas) that can obscure even the most learned individuals. Prajñāvān, paṇḍita, and chatura denote various forms of intellectual acumen and proficiency. However, these qualities are insufficient to pierce through the dense veil of ignorance without direct experiential insight into the true self. The sloka emphasizes the insidious nature of māyā (delusion) that superimposes false realities over the true nature of existence. The persistent misunderstanding even in the face of clear instruction highlights the need for transcending mere intellectual understanding to attain enlightenment. This veil of ignorance, termed here as 'durantatamasaḥ,' illustrates the tenacity and pervasiveness of ignorance that can only be transcended by cultivating a higher spiritual awareness and discriminative wisdom.
Further Readings: