Sloka 128
Sloka 128
Original Text:
अहङ्कारादिदेहान्ता विषयाश्च सुखादयः । वेद्यन्ते घटवद्येन नित्यबोधस्वरूपिणा ॥ १३0 ॥
- **Transliteration:**
ahaṅkārādidehāntā viṣayāśca sukhādayaḥ। vedyante ghaṭavadyena nityabodhasvarūpiṇā॥ 130॥
- **Translation:**
"From ego to the physical body, along with the objects such as pleasure, all are known like a pot by the one whose essential nature is eternal consciousness."
- **Word Meanings:**
* ahaṅkāra - ego * ādi - beginning with * deha - body * anta - ending * viṣayāḥ - objects * ca - and * sukhādayaḥ - pleasure and others * vedyante - are known * ghaṭavat - like a pot * yena - by whom * nitya - eternal * bodha - consciousness * svarūpiṇā - by the one whose nature
- **Commentary:**
This sloka emphasizes the nature of consciousness as the ultimate knower, which witnesses all phenomena from the ego to the physical body, including experiences of pleasure and pain. In Vedantic philosophy, consciousness (bodha) is described as the unchanging, eternal reality that pervades all experiences. Just as a pot is an object that is perceived without confusion about the perceiver, so too the ego, body, and sensory experiences are objects that are known by consciousness. This perspective is crucial in Advaita Vedanta, which posits that the true self (Atman) is pure awareness, distinct from transient material and psychological forms. By understanding this distinction, one can achieve liberation (moksha) from the cycle of birth and death, which is the ultimate goal of Vedantic practice. This verse also serves as a reminder that identification with transient entities like the ego and body leads to bondage, while recognizing one's true nature as eternal consciousness is liberating.
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