Sloka 73
Sloka 73
Original Text:
अहंममेतिप्रथितं शरीरं मोहास्पदं स्थूलमितीर्यते बुधैः । नभोनभस्वद्दहनाम्बुभूमयः सूक्ष्माणि भूतानि भवन्ति तानि ॥ ७३ ॥
- **Transliteration**:
``` ahaṃmametiprathitaṃ śarīraṃ mohāspadaṃ sthūlamitīryate budhaiḥ । nabhonabhasvaddahanāmbubhūmayaḥ sūkṣmāṇi bhūtāni bhavanti tāni ॥ 73 ॥ ```
- **Translation**:
``` The body, which is well-known as 'I' and 'mine,' is described by the wise as the abode of delusion and is gross. The elements—space, air, fire, water, and earth—are subtle entities. ```
- **Word Meanings**:
* अहम् (ahaṃ) - I * मम (mama) - mine * इति (iti) - thus * प्रथितं (prathitaṃ) - well-known, famous * शरीरं (śarīraṃ) - body * मोहास्पदं (mohāspadaṃ) - abode of delusion * स्थूलम् (sthūlam) - gross * इति (iti) - thus * ईर्यते (īryate) - is described * बुधैः (budhaiḥ) - by the wise * नभः (nabhaḥ) - space * नभस्वत् (nabhasvat) - air * दहन (dahana) - fire * अम्बु (ambu) - water * भूमयः (bhūmayaḥ) - earth * सूक्ष्माणि (sūkṣmāṇi) - subtle * भूतानि (bhūtāni) - elements * भवन्ति (bhavanti) - are * तानि (tāni) - they
- **Commentary**:
This verse delves into the distinction between the physical body and the fundamental elements of creation from a Vedantic perspective. It highlights the misconception or delusion (moha) that people commonly have regarding the body, whereby they associate their identity with the physical form, referring to it as 'I' and 'mine.' The wise, however, perceive this identification as a form of delusion because the body is merely a temporary, gross entity made up of physical matter.
The verse contrasts this gross physicality with the subtlety of the five great elements (pancha mahabhutas) — space, air, fire, water, and earth. These elements are the building blocks of the material world, yet in their purest forms, they are considered subtle (sūkṣma). They represent the different states of matter and states of consciousness that are essential for achieving higher understanding and realization.
Vedanta philosophy often urges practitioners to transcend identification with the physical and to understand the true essence of the self, which is beyond the gross body and the subtle elements. Realization of this truth is considered to be the path to freedom from delusion and the attainment of spiritual liberation (moksha).
Further Readings: