Sloka 114
Sloka 114
Original Text:
अज्ञानमालस्यजडत्वनिद्रा प्रमादमूढत्वमुखास्तमोगुणाः । एतैः प्रयुक्तो नहि वेत्ति किंचिन् निद्रालुवत्स्तम्भवदेव तिष्ठति ॥ ११६ ॥
Certainly! Here's an analysis of the given sloka:
- **Transliteration:**
ajñānam ālasya jaḍatva nidrā pramāda mūḍhatva mukhās tamo guṇāḥ etaiḥ prayukto nahi vetti kiñcin nidrālu vat stambha va deva tiṣṭhati
- **Translation:**
"Ignorance, laziness, dullness, sleep, negligence, and confusion are characteristics of the tamas quality. One influenced by these knows nothing, and remains like a sleeping person or a motionless pillar."
- **Word Meanings:**
* ajñānam - ignorance * ālasya - laziness * jaḍatva - dullness * nidrā - sleep * pramāda - negligence * mūḍhatva - confusion * mukhāḥ - aspects/manifestations * tamaḥ - darkness, tamas (a quality) * guṇāḥ - qualities * etaiḥ - by these * prayuktaḥ - one who is influenced * nahi - not * vetti - knows * kiñcin - anything * nidrāluvat - like a sleeping person * stambhavat - like a pillar * eva - indeed * tiṣṭhati - stands/remains
- **Commentary:**
This sloka elaborates on the nature and effects of tamas (one of the three guṇas), portraying it as an obstructive and binding force in human life. Tamas is characterized by inertia, ignorance, and inactivity. The sloka warns that one dominated by tamas is deprived of clarity and awareness, remaining oblivious to their surroundings, akin to being in a deep sleep. Such a person, like a static pillar, makes no progress and contributes nothing. The imagery of a "sleeping person" and "motionless pillar" highlights the profound stagnation induced by tamas, emphasizing its detrimental effect on personal and spiritual growth. To overcome this, it's essential to cultivate the sattva guna, characterized by knowledge and purity, which encourages awakening, action, and discernment.
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