Sloka 509
Sloka 509
Original Text:
गच्छंस्तिष्ठन्नुपविशञ्छयानो वान्यथापि वा । यथेच्छया वेसेद्विद्वानात्नारामः सदा मुनिः ॥ ५२८ ॥
Certainly! Here is a detailed exposition of the given sloka:
- **Transliteration:**
``` gacchaṁstiṣṭhannupaviśañchayāno vānyathāpi vā | yathecchayā vasedvidvānātmārāmaḥ sadā muniḥ || 528 || ```
- **Translation:**
``` Whether walking, standing, sitting, or lying down, or otherwise, he lives as he wishes, the wise one, who is ever satisfied in the Self, the sage. ```
- **Word Meanings:**
* **gacchan** - (while) going/walking * **tiṣṭhan** - standing * **upaviśan** - sitting * **śayānaḥ** - lying down * **vā** - or * **anyathā** - otherwise, in another way * **api** - even * **vā** - or * **yathecchayā** - as he wishes * **vaset** - lives, dwells * **vidvān** - the wise one * **ātmārāmaḥ** - one who is delighting in the Self * **sadā** - always * **muniḥ** - sage
- **Commentary:**
The verse highlights the state of a truly liberated sage, often depicted in Vedantic philosophy as the ideal of human realization. Such a sage or "muni" is one who is "ātmārāmaḥ," meaning finding joy solely within the Self, not depending on external circumstances or activities for contentment. The sage’s sense of satisfaction and fulfillment does not fluctuate with the changes in physical actions—be it walking, standing, sitting, or lying down. This independence in living ("yathecchayā vased") underscores the sage's freedom from conventional societal norms and attachments.
The terms used—walking, standing, sitting, lying—symbolize the entirety of mundane actions and the states of being engaged in the world. The phrase "anyathāpi vā" suggests the potential for other activities or states, indicating that whatever the sage does, the underlying experience of the Self remains unchanged.
This verse is a reflection on the Jivanmukta, one liberated while living, whose existence is dictated by inner freedom rather than external compulsion. It emphasizes a philosophical and spiritual ideal—that true freedom comes not from material conditions but from attaining a state of inner spiritual stability. This ideal state is a central tenet of many texts in the Advaita Vedanta tradition, portraying an individual who has transcended duality and resides in a state of eternal peace and joy.
Further Readings: