Sloka 46
Sloka 46
Original Text:
श्रद्धाभक्तिध्यानयोगाम्मुमुक्षोः मुक्तेर्हेतून्वक्ति साक्षाच्छ्रुतेर्गीः । यो वा एतेष्वेव तिष्ठत्यमुष्य मोक्षोऽविद्याकल्पिताद्देहबन्धात् ॥ ४६ ॥
Certainly! Here is the analysis of the given sloka:
- **Transliteration:**
``` śraddhābhaktidhyānayogāmmumukṣoḥ mukterhetūnvakti sākṣācchrutergīḥ | yo vā eteṣveva tiṣṭhatyamuṣya mokṣo'vidyākalpitāddehabandhāt || 46 || ```
- **Translation:**
``` The direct word of the Veda declares that faith, devotion, meditation, and yoga are the means of liberation for the seeker of Moksha. For the one who firmly abides in these, liberation from the bondage of the body, imagined due to ignorance, is assured. ```
- **Word Meanings:**
* **śraddhā** - faith * **bhakti** - devotion * **dhyāna** - meditation * **yoga** - yoga (union) * **mumukṣoḥ** - of the one desirous of liberation * **mukteḥ** - of liberation * **hetūn** - causes or means * **vakti** - declares * **sākṣāt** - directly * **śruteḥ** - of the Veda * **gīḥ** - word or speech * **yaḥ** - who * **vā** - or * **eteṣu** - in these * **eva** - indeed * **tiṣṭhati** - abides * **amuṣya** - his/her * **mokṣaḥ** - liberation * **avidyā** - ignorance * **kalpitāt** - imagined * **deha** - body * **bandhāt** - from bondage
- **Commentary:**
This verse underscores the essential practices on the path of liberation (moksha), explicitly stating that faith (śraddhā), devotion (bhakti), meditation (dhyāna), and yoga form the foundational tools for the aspirant seeking freedom from the cyclical bondage of life and death, embodied in the metaphorical 'body' (deha). Here, the 'body' is a representation of all limitations imposed by ignorance (avidyā).
The verse highlights that these paths are not subjective recommendations but authoritative declarations from the "sākṣācchruti" or direct word of the Veda, indicating their timeless and universal relevance. śraddhā (faith) provides the necessary conviction to pursue the spiritual path, bhakti (devotion) fosters a profound connection with the Divine, dhyāna (meditation) cultivates inner peace and clarity, and yoga (union) brings about the harmonization of inner faculties and the realization of one's true essence.
The promise made here is significant: rooted, unwavering practice in these means assures the seeker of liberation, freeing them from the constructs and limitations imagined due to ignorance. This reflects the core idea in Vedanta that liberation is not about acquiring something new, but realizing and being freed from misconceptions, thus revealing the ever-present truth of one's nature.
Further Readings: