Sloka 122
Sloka 122
Original Text:
अथ ते संप्रवक्ष्यामि स्वरूपं परमात्मनः । यद्विज्ञाय नरो बन्धान्मुक्तः कैवल्यमश्नुते ॥ १२४ ॥
- **Transliteration:**
atha te saṁpravakṣyāmi svarūpaṁ paramātmanaḥ | yad vijñāya naro bandhān muktaḥ kaivalyam aśnute || 124 ||
- **Translation:**
Now I shall explain to you the true nature of the Supreme Self, knowing which a person is liberated from bondage and attains ultimate oneness.
- **Word Meanings:**
* atha - now * te - to you * saṁpravakṣyāmi - I shall explain * svarūpaṁ - true nature * paramātmanaḥ - of the Supreme Self * yat - which * vijñāya - knowing * naraḥ - a person * bandhān - from bondage * muktaḥ - liberated * kaivalyam - oneness; ultimate liberation * aśnute - attains
- **Commentary:**
This sloka underlines a pivotal teaching in Vedantic philosophy that understanding the true nature of the Supreme Self (paramātman) is the key to liberation. The term "svarūpa" refers to the intrinsic nature or essence, suggesting that the essence of the Supreme Self is something to be realized rather than something external to be acquired. The phrase "yat vijñāya" signifies that this knowledge is experiential and transformative, implying a realization that transcends intellectual understanding.
Liberation, or "moksha," is described here as freedom from "bandha" or bondage, often interpreted as the cycle of birth and death, karma, and ignorance. The ultimate state of "kaivalya" represents isolation from all forms of suffering and the attainment of oneness with the Supreme. This verse encapsulates the core objective of many spiritual practices in Vedanta, where the seeker aspires to realize their inherent unity with the Supreme Self, thus attaining eternal peace and liberation.
The promise of freedom as described in this sloka emphasizes the transformative potential of self-knowledge, highlighting that understanding one's own true nature is sufficient to dissolve all limitations and attain a state of complete liberation.
Further Readings: