Sloka 47
Sloka 47
Original Text:
अज्ञानयोगात्परमात्मनस्तव ह्यनात्मबन्धस्तत एव संसृतिः । तयोर्विवेकोदितबोधवन्हिः अज्ञानकार्यं प्रदहेत्समूलम् ॥ ४७ ॥
- Transliteration:
ajñāna-yogāt paramātmanaḥ tava hy anātma-bandhas tata eva saṁsṛtiḥ | tayor vivekodita-bodha-vanhiḥ ajñāna-kāryaṁ pradahet samūlam || 47 ||
- Translation:
Due to ignorance, the connection to the non-self continues for the Supreme Self, and from this arises the cycle of birth and death. The wisdom-fire ignited by discernment between the two will completely burn away the effects of ignorance at their roots.
- Word Meanings:
* ajñāna - ignorance * yogāt - due to the association * paramātmanaḥ - of the Supreme Self * tava - your * hi - indeed * anātma-bandhaḥ - bondage with the non-self * tataḥ - from that * eva - indeed * saṁsṛtiḥ - cycle of birth and rebirth (transmigration) * tayoḥ - between the two (self and non-self) * viveka - discernment * udita - arisen * bodha-vanhiḥ - fire of knowledge * ajñāna-kāryam - effects of ignorance * pradahet - could burn away * samūlam - completely, along with the roots
- Commentary: This verse highlights a fundamental concept within Vedantic philosophy - the liberation of the individual soul from the cycle of samsara through knowledge and discernment. Here, it is stated that due to ignorance (ajñāna), the jiva (individual self) is mistakenly identified with the non-self (anātma), leading to attachment, and thus becoming trapped in the cycle of birth and rebirth (saṁsṛtiḥ). The verse underscores the importance of viveka, or discernment, which is the ability to differentiate between the true self (ātman) and the non-self. When this discernment is awakened, it ignites the fire of knowledge (bodha-vanhiḥ), which has the capacity to destroy ignorance and its consequent effects (ajñāna-kāryam) completely, including their roots (samūlam). This is a transformative process where realization of one's true nature leads to liberation (moksha). The verse thus stresses the critical role of self-knowledge and discernment on the spiritual path to overcome the illusion of duality and achieve liberation.
Further Readings: