Sloka 121
Sloka 121
Original Text:
माया मायाकार्यं सर्वं महदादिदेहपर्यन्तम् । असदिदमनात्मतत्त्वं विद्धि त्वं मरुमरीचिकाकल्पम् ॥ १२३ ॥
Certainly! Let's delve into the given sloka from the perspective of Advaita Vedanta, typically known for its metaphysical insights.
- **Transliteration:**
``` māyā māyākāryaṁ sarvaṁ mahadādidehaparyantam | asadidamanātmatattvaṁ viddhi tvaṁ marumarīcikākalpam || 123 || ```
- **Translation:**
``` "All this, from the Great Principle (Mahat) to the physical body, is the effect of Māyā. Recognize this as unreal and devoid of the essence of the Self, akin to mirages in the desert." ```
- **Word Meanings:**
* **māyā** - illusion * **māyākāryam** - effect/product of illusion * **sarvam** - all/everything * **mahat-ādi** - from Mahat (the Great Principle) * **deha-paryantam** - ending with the body * **asat** - unreal * **idam** - this * **anātma-tattvam** - non-Self principle * **viddhi** - know * **tvam** - you * **maru-marīcikā-kalpam** - like a mirage in the desert
- **Commentary:**
The sloka emphasizes the core Advaitic teaching about the nature of reality and perception. In traditional Vedanta, Māyā is the cosmic illusion that projects the manifold universe superimposed upon the non-dual Brahman. This verse suggests that everything from the cosmic beginning, Mahat (often associated with cosmic intelligence or the 'Great principle'), to the physical entity, the human body, is an outcome of Māyā. It iterates the epistemological standpoint that this entangled reality is not the ultimate truth but a contingent appearance.
The terms 'asad' (unreal) and 'anātmatattvam' (essence devoid of the Self) highlight the impermanent and illusory nature of the material world, which contrasts against the backdrop of the eternal and immutable Self (Ātman/Brahman). The imagery of a 'mirage in the desert' underscores the allure and illusory nature of Māyā—what appears real and fulfilling from a distance turns void upon closer inspection.
This sloka invites the seeker to discern the Real from the unreal, enabling liberation from the cycle of illusions. Through Viveka (discrimination), one is urged to identify with the true Self rather than transient phenomena. Such knowledge thus becomes the gateway to moksha (liberation).
Further Readings: