Sloka 115
Sloka 115
Original Text:
सत्त्वं विशुद्धं जलवत्तथापि ताभ्यां मिलित्वा सरणाय कल्पते । यत्रात्मबिम्बः प्रतिबिम्बितः सन् प्रकाशयत्यर्क इवाखिलं जडम् ॥ ११७ ॥
- Transliteration:
``` sattvaṁ viśuddhaṁ jalavat tathāpi tābhyāṁ militvā saraṇāya kalpate। yatrātma-bimbaḥ pratibimbitaḥ san prakāśayaty arka iva akhilaṁ jaḍam॥ 117॥ ```
- Translation:
"Pure consciousness, like clear water, is fit for reflection. When it joins with the mind and sense organs, it creates a medium through which the Self reflects. Just as the sun illuminates the entire world, the Self illumines all inert matter."
- Word Meanings:
* सत्त्वं (sattvaṁ) - pure consciousness * विशुद्धं (viśuddhaṁ) - pure, unsullied * जलवत् (jalavat) - like water * तथा (tathā) - thus, so * अपि (api) - even though * ताभ्यां (tābhyāṁ) - with both, i.e., mind and sense organs * मिलित्वा (militvā) - having joined * सरणाय (saraṇāya) - for reception, as a medium * कल्पते (kalpate) - becomes capable * यत्र (yatra) - where * आत्मबिम्बः (ātma-bimbaḥ) - reflection of the Self * प्रतिबिम्बितः (pratibimbitaḥ) - reflected * सन् (san) - being * प्रकाशयति (prakāśayati) - illuminates * अर्क (arka) - sun * इव (iva) - like * अखिलं (akhilaṁ) - entire, all * जडम् (jaḍam) - inert, lifeless matter
- Commentary:
This verse delves into the ontology of consciousness and its role in perception. Sattva, a state of pure consciousness, is compared to crystal-clear water, emphasizing its purity and transparency. However, pure consciousness alone is not responsible for the perception of the material world. It requires the faculties of the mind and senses to function as a medium, akin to a mirror reflecting an image.
The "ātma-bimbaḥ," or the reflection of the Self, is an analogy for how consciousness animates inert matter, bringing it into the realm of perception. The sun, serving as a metaphor for consciousness, shines upon all inert objects, making them visible to us. Similarly, pure consciousness, when it associates with the dynamic mind and sensory organs, illuminates the otherwise inert physical universe, allowing for the experience and comprehension of it.
This sloka is a beautiful exposition on the interaction between the unchanging, eternal Self and the changing, transient world. It highlights the Vedantic view that the physical world is not inherently conscious but becomes so in the presence of pure consciousness. The analogy serves to underscore self-realization, where understanding one's true nature brings illumination to all aspects of existence, much like how sunlight reveals the world's form and color.
Further Readings: