Sloka 101
Sloka 101
Original Text:
अन्तःकरणमेतेषु चक्षुरादिषु वर्ष्मणि । अहमित्यभिमानेन तिष्ठत्याभासतेजसा ॥ १0३ ॥
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- **Transliteration:**
antaḥkaraṇam eteṣu cakṣurādiṣu varṣmaṇi । aham ityabhimānena tiṣṭhatyābhāsatejasā ॥ 103 ॥
- **Translation:**
The inner faculty (antaḥkaraṇa) resides within the body, including the eyes and other organs, with a sense of ownership expressed as "I" due to its reflective consciousness.
- **Word Meanings:**
* antaḥkaraṇam - the inner faculty, referring to the mind-intellect complex * eteṣu - among these * cakṣurādiṣu - in the eyes and other sense organs * varṣmaṇi - in the body * aham - I * iti - thus * abhimānena - with a sense of identification or ego * tiṣṭhati - resides * ābhāsa - an appearance, reflection * tejasā - by the radiance or consciousness
- **Commentary:**
This sloka encapsulates a fundamental concept of Vedantic philosophy where the antaḥkaraṇa (the mind and its faculties) plays a crucial role in the perception of self and identity. The "I" consciousness or ego (ahaṁkāra) arises as the inner faculty appropriates the body's sensory organs and considers them its own. This process is described as identification (abhimāna) with the body (varṣmaṇi) and its functions.
The term ābhāsa signifies the illusory or reflective phenomenon where consciousness, which is inherently luminous and self-revealing, appears as if it is limited by the body and the mind. This reflects the core Advaita Vedānta theme that the self-nature (ātman) is distinct from the body-mind complex yet is wrongly identified with it due to ignorance (avidyā).
In practical terms, this sloka serves as a reminder to seekers of wisdom to discern the true self from the false identification with the body-mind, paving the path towards self-realization and liberation (mokṣa). Emphasizing the temporary and illusory nature of this identification guides aspirants to detach from sensory experiences and engage in deeper inquiry about the self's true nature.
Further Readings: