Sloka 74
Sloka 74
Original Text:
परस्परांशैर्मिलितानि भूत्वा स्थूलानि च स्थूलशरीरहेतवः । मात्रास्तदीया विषया भवन्ति शब्दादयः पञ्च सुखाय भोक्तुः ॥ ७४ ॥
Certainly! Let's delve into the given sloka:
- **Transliteration:**
parasparāṁśairmilitāni bhūtvā sthūlāni ca sthūlaśarīrahetavaḥ | mātrāstadīyā viṣayā bhavanti śabdādayaḥ pañca sukhāya bhoktuḥ || 74 ||
- **Translation:**
By combining with each other, these gross elements become the cause of the gross body. The corresponding sensations are the objects of perception such as sound and others, forming the five sources of pleasure for the experiencer.
- **Word Meanings:**
* paraspara-aṁśaiḥ - by mutual parts * militāni - combined * bhūtvā - having become * sthūlāni - gross * ca - and * sthūlaśarīra-hetavaḥ - cause of the gross body * mātrāḥ - sensations * tadīyā - corresponding * viṣayāḥ - objects * bhavanti - become * śabda-ādayaḥ - sound and others * pañca - five * sukhāya - for pleasure * bhoktuḥ - of the experiencer
- **Commentary:**
This sloka elaborates on the process of how the gross physical body (sthūlaśarīra) comes into being and its relationship with the world of sensory experiences. According to Vedantic metaphysics, the world is formed by the combination of subtle elements which coalesce into the gross elements. These gross elements (pañca mahābhūtas) are the building blocks of the material body and environment.
The gross body is the vehicle through which the soul (ātman) experiences the world. The sloka states that the senses, which arise from these gross elements, are attuned to perceive specific objects or stimuli such as sound (śabda), touch, form, taste, and smell—collectively known as the pañca tanmātras or five subtle essences. These sensory objects are sources of pleasure for the individual, or bhoktā, the experiencer.
This highlights a fundamental aspect of Vedantic philosophy: the interplay between the material and the spiritual. While the body and senses engage with the world providing a medium for experience, they are not the essence of the true self, which transcends these interactions. Thus, this verse serves as a reminder of the transient nature of sensory pleasures and the importance of seeking higher understanding beyond the physical realm.
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