Sloka 20
Sloka 20
Original Text:
ब्रह्म सत्यं जगन्मिथ्येत्येवंरूपो विनिश्चयः । सोऽयं नित्यानित्यवस्तुविवेकः समुदाहृतः ॥ २0 ॥
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- **Transliteration:**
``` brahma satyaṁ jaganmithyety evaṁrūpo viniścayaḥ । so'yaṁ nityānityavastuvivekaḥ samudāhṛtaḥ ॥ 20 ॥ ```
- **Translation:**
``` The conviction that "Brahman is the truth and the world is an illusion" is expressed as the discernment between the eternal and the non-eternal. ```
- **Word Meanings:**
* **brahma** - Brahman, the ultimate reality * **satyaṁ** - truth, the real * **jagan** - the world * **mithya** - illusionary, not ultimately real * **iti** - thus * **evaṁrūpo** - of this nature * **viniścayaḥ** - firm conviction, determination * **saḥ** - that * **ayam** - this * **nityānitya** - eternal and non-eternal * **vastu** - reality, substance * **vivekaḥ** - discrimination, discernment * **samudāhṛtaḥ** - is declared, is stated
- **Commentary:**
This sloka captures the essential teaching of Advaita Vedanta, emphasizing the discrimination (viveka) necessary to distinguish between the eternal (Brahman) and the non-eternal (jagat or the world). According to the philosophy, Brahman is the singular, unchanging reality that is both immanent and transcendent, while the world of myriad forms and appearances is considered mithya, or illusory. This does not mean that the world is non-existent, but rather that it does not have ultimate reality; it changes, and hence, does not have the same degree of truth as Brahman.
Understanding and firmly establishing this conviction is called "nityānityavastu viveka" — the discernment between what is unchanging and eternal, and what is transient and impermanent. This discernment is a critical component in traditional spiritual paths, aiming to enable the aspirant to focus their attention and energies on realizing the ultimate truth, Brahman, while understanding the transient nature of worldly experiences.
The realization of this principle helps one cultivate detachment (vairagya) and fosters spiritual growth by redirecting one’s life towards the pursuit of the eternal truth. It serves as a foundation for deeper contemplation and is a guidepost for those pursuing the path of self-knowledge and liberation (moksha).
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