Sloka 118
Sloka 118
Original Text:
अव्यक्तमेतत्त्रिगुणैर्निरुक्तं तत्कारणं नाम शरीरमात्मनः । सुषुप्तिरेतस्य विभक्त्यवस्था प्रलीनसर्वेन्द्रियबुद्धिवृत्तिः ॥ १२0 ॥
Sure. Here is an elaboration on the given sloka:
- **Transliteration:**
Avyaktametattriguṇairniruktaṁ tatkāraṇaṁ nāma śarīramātmanaḥ। suṣuptiretasyavibhaktyavasthā pralīnasarvendriyabuddhivṛttiḥ॥ 120॥
- **Translation:**
The unmanifest, explained through the three qualities, is known as the causal body of the self. Deep sleep is the state of this condition where all sensory and intellectual activities are merged.
- **Word Meanings:**
* अव्यक्तम् (avyaktam) - the unmanifest * एतत् (etat) - this * त्रिगुणैः (triguṇaiḥ) - by the three qualities (sattva, rajas, tamas) * निरुक्तम् (niruktam) - explained, characterized * तत् (tat) - that * कारणम् (kāraṇam) - causal * नाम (nāma) - known as * शरीरम् (śarīram) - body * आत्मनः (ātmanaḥ) - of the self * सुषुप्तिः (suṣuptiḥ) - deep sleep * एतस्य (etasya) - of this * विभक्त्यवस्था (vibhaktyavasthā) - state of separation * प्रलीन (pralīna) - merged, dissolved * सर्व (sarva) - all * इन्द्रिय (indriya) - sensory * बुद्धि (buddhi) - intellectual * वृत्तिः (vṛttiḥ) - activities or modifications
- **Commentary:**
This sloka delves into the concept of the causal body in Vedantic philosophy, known in Sanskrit as 'kāraṇa śarīra'. It is identified with the unmanifest, or 'avyakta', which is attributed with the three gunas: sattva (purity), rajas (activity), and tamas (inertia). These qualities are foundational aspects of prakriti (nature) which combine in various proportions to form the manifold phenomena of the universe.
The causal body is said to be the deep-seated layer of the self, where the seeds of karmic impressions and the full potentiality of the individual soul reside. In the state of 'sushupti' or deep sleep, this causal body is experienced inasmuch as all sensory and intellectual activities (indriya and buddhi vṛtti) have become dormant or are entirely merged. It is a state devoid of duality and individuality, yet the presence of the self remains as pure potential—the substratum without conscious activity.
The sloka underscores the importance of understanding the interaction of the three gunas and their impact on consciousness. By analyzing the states of consciousness—waking, dreaming, and deep sleep—Vedanta invites the seeker to realize the common thread: the unchanging self that underlies all states and is beyond the three bodies (gross, subtle, and causal) and beyond the mind's attributions of identity and perception.
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