Sloka 60
Sloka 60
Original Text:
शब्दजालं महारण्यं चित्तभ्रमणकारणम् । अतः प्रयत्नाज्ज्ञातव्यं तत्त्वज्ञैस्तत्त्वमात्मनः ॥ ६0 ॥
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- **Transliteration:**
``` śabda-jālaṃ mahāraṇyaṃ citta-bhramaṇa-kāraṇam | ataḥ prayatnāj jñātavyaṃ tattvajñais tattvam ātmanaḥ || 60 || ```
- **Translation:**
``` The entanglement of words is like a vast forest, causing the mind to wander. Therefore, the essence of the Self must be realized with effort by those who know the truth. ```
- **Word Meanings:**
- *śabda-jālaṃ* - the net of words - *mahāraṇyam* - vast forest - *citta-bhramaṇa-kāraṇam* - cause of confusion for the mind - *ataḥ* - therefore - *prayatnāt* - with effort - *jñātavyam* - must be known - *tattvajñaiḥ* - by those who are knowers of the truth - *tattvam* - the essence or truth - *ātmanaḥ* - of the Self
- **Commentary:**
The sloka uses a powerful metaphor comparing the intricate web of words to a vast forest, which can cause an individual to lose direction and be misled. This highlights a common philosophical insight found in Vedantic teachings: intellectual discourse and verbose explanations, if not properly understood or internalized, can lead to greater confusion rather than enlightenment. Here, the emphasis is on transcending mere verbal and theoretical knowledge to attain direct realization of the Self.
The phrase "citta-bhramaṇa-kāraṇam" indicates the potential of linguistic complexity to disturb and bewilder the mind, suggesting that spiritual seekers should be cautious about getting lost in intellectualizing rather than practicing and experiencing the truth directly.
"Tattvajñais tattvam ātmanaḥ" highlights the need for sincere effort and the guidance of those who are "tattvajñas," or knower of truths, suggesting the importance of a teacher who has realized the Self and can direct others towards it.
The underlying message of this sloka is that real knowledge, especially in matters of spirituality and self-realization, is beyond words and should be pursued with deliberate effort, inner contemplation, and authentic learning from realized souls. This wisdom enjoins us to focus on experiential realization of the inner self or spirit (ātman), which is often veiled behind the layers of intellectual understanding.
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