Sloka 86
Sloka 86
Original Text:
मोहं जहि महामृत्युं देहदारसुतादिषु । यं जित्वा मुनयो यान्ति तद्विष्णोः परमं पदम् ॥ ८६ ॥
Certainly! Let's analyze the given Sanskrit sloka.
- **Transliteration:**
Moham jahi mahāmṛtyuṁ dehadārasutādiṣu | Yaṁ jitvā munayo yānti tadviṣṇoḥ paramaṁ padam || 86 ||
- **Translation:**
Conquer delusion, the great death, regarding the body, wife, children, and others. By overcoming this, the sages attain the supreme abode of Vishnu.
- **Word Meanings:**
* moham - delusion * jahi - conquer * mahāmṛtyum - great death * deha - body * dāra - wife * suta - children * ādiṣu - and others * yam - which/whom * jitvā - having conquered * munayaḥ - sages * yānti - go/attain * tat - that * viṣṇoḥ - of Vishnu * paramam - supreme * padam - abode
- **Commentary:**
This sloka emphasizes the importance of overcoming moha, or delusion, which is metaphorically described as 'mahāmṛtyu', meaning "great death". In Vedantic philosophy, moha is seen as the root cause of bondage and the cycle of birth and death (samsara). This delusion chiefly arises from attachment to transient material entities such as one's body (deha), spouse (dāra), children (suta), and other worldly ties (ādiṣu).
The comparison of delusion to a form of death highlights its power to obscure true spiritual knowledge and vision. Sages (munayo), who are dedicated to the pursuit of spiritual wisdom, strive to conquer this delusion. By doing so, they are able to transcend the limitations imposed by material attachments and ultimately reach 'tadviṣṇoḥ paramam padam' — the supreme abode of Vishnu or the ultimate state of realizing one's unity with Brahman, the supreme reality.
This verse thus serves as an exhortation for seekers to follow the path of wisdom and detachment in order to achieve liberation (moksha). The reference to Vishnu, a central deity in Vaishnavism, underscores the goal of reaching a divine state of consciousness that is beyond the ephemeral confines of worldly life.
Further Readings: