Section 1 1
Need of Sadhana
Summary (in English)
This collection of slokas from the Vivekachudamani addresses the essential need for spiritual practice (*sādhanā*) and the conditions required for attaining self-realization. The discourse begins by emphasizing the significance of reverence towards an enlightened teacher, *Govinda*, the embodiment of supreme bliss who understands the ultimate truths of Vedanta and dispels ignorance. Human birth, with its opportunities for spiritual growth, is presented as rare and valuable, especially when coupled with the desire for liberation and communion with wise beings—these rarities are seen as divinely ordained. The slokas stress the futility of actions and material pursuits in achieving liberation; only through discernment and the guidance of a true Guru can one attain the state of unity with Brahman, transcending mere ritualistic practices. The aspirant must embody qualities such as intellectual acumen, detachment, and calmness, demonstrating readiness and worthiness for engaging with profound inquiries into the Self. Liberation is depicted as an achievement of internal realization rather than external actions.
सारांश
इस श्लोक-संग्रह में विवेकचूडामणि से प्रेरित साधना की परम आवश्यकता और आत्म-साक्षात्कार प्राप्त करने के लिए आवश्यक परिस्थितियों का विवेचन किया गया है। यह चर्चा परम आनंद के स्वरूपवान आदर्श गुरु गोविंदा की महत्ता पर प्रारंभ होती है, जो अंतिम सत्य के ज्ञानी हैं और अज्ञान का नाश करने वाले हैं। मानव जन्म, जो आध्यात्मिक विकास के लिए सुयोग्य अवसर प्रदान करता है, अत्यंत दुर्लभ और मूल्यवान बताया गया है, खासकर जब मुक्ति की इच्छा और विद्वानों से संगति का अवसर भी प्राप्त हो - इसे दिव्य अनुग्रह का परिणाम माना गया है। श्लोकों में यह दर्शाया गया है कि केवल कार्यों और भौतिक साधनों के द्वारा मुक्ति संभव नहीं है; विवेक और सच्चे गुरु के मार्गदर्शन से ही व्यक्ति ब्रह्म के साथ एकता की अवस्था प्राप्त कर सकता है, साधारण अनुष्ठानों से परे बढ़ सकता है। साधक को बौद्धिक कौशल, वैराग्य और शांति जैसे गुणों से युक्त होना चाहिए, जिससे उसको आत्मा की जांच में संलग्न होने की तैयारी और योग्यता प्रकट होती है। मुक्ति को बाहरी प्रयासों की अपेक्षा आंतरिक पहचान के रूप में चित्रित किया गया है।
Important Concepts (महत्वपूर्ण अवधारणाएँ)
- Govinda (गोविन्द)
- paramānanda (परमानन्द)
- ātma-anātmā vivecana (आत्मा-अनात्मा विवेचन)
- mukti (मुक्ति)
- ātma-vidyā (आत्म-विद्या)
- sadguru (सद्गुरु)
- dayāsindhu (दया-सिन्धु)
- brahmaviduttama (ब्रह्मविदुत्तम)
- vairāgya (वैराग्य)
- śama (शम)
Topics
- Importance of human birth for spiritual progress
- Role of divine grace in spiritual opportunities
- Contrast between material actions and spiritual realization
- Qualifications for Self-inquiry
- The necessity of a true Guru
- Vedantic perspective on knowledge and realization
- Importance of virtues in spiritual pursuits
Categories (वर्गीकरण)
- Definitions of key spiritual concepts
- Explanation of selfliberation and spiritual goals
- Detailing qualifications for spiritual inquiry
- Analysis of the role of rituals versus internal realization
- Importance of mentorship and guidance in spiritual journey
S-V-O Tuples or Propositions as Text
| Subject | Verb | Object |
|---|---|---|
| Devotee | bows to | Govinda |
| True seeker | desires | liberation |
| Wise person | achieves | realization |
| Actions | purify | mind |
| Discernment | reveals | reality |
| Liberation | needs | self-realization |
| Guidance | comes from | true Guru |
| Human birth | provides | opportunity for spirituality |
| Spiritual progress | requires | divine grace |
| Knowledge | transcends | ritual actions |
Slokas & Translations
==== Sloka 1 ====
सर्ववेदान्तसिद्धान्तगोचरं तमगोचरम् ।
गोविन्दं परमानन्दं सद्गुरुं प्रणतोऽस्म्यहम् ॥ १ ॥
Translation: I bow to Govinda, the supreme blissful Guru, who is beyond the reach of darkness and comprehends all Vedantic truths.
==== Sloka 2 ====
जन्तूनां नरजन्म दुर्लभमतः पुंस्त्वं ततो विप्रता ।
तस्माद्वैदिकधर्ममार्गपरता विद्वत्त्वमस्मात्परम् ।
आत्मानात्मविवेचनं स्वनुभवो ब्रह्मात्मना संस्थितिः ।
मुक्तिर्नो शतजन्मकोटिसुकृतैः पुण्यैर्विना लभ्यते ॥ २ ॥
Translation: Liberation is not attained without countless virtuous deeds, such as discerning the self from the non-self, self-experience, and abiding in the Self as Brahman.
==== Sloka 3 ====
दुर्लभं त्रयमेवैतद्देवानुग्रहहेतुकम् ।
मनुष्यत्वं मुमुक्षुत्वं महापुरुषसंश्रयः ॥ ३ ॥
Translation: These three, which are rare and occur by the grace of the divine: human birth, the desire for liberation, and association with great souls.
==== Sloka 4 ====
लब्ध्वा कथंचिन्नरजन्म दुर्लभं
तत्रापि पुंस्त्वं श्रुतिपारदर्शनम् ।
यस्त्वात्ममुक्तौ न यतेत मूढधीः
स ह्यात्महा स्वं विनिहन्त्यसद्ग्रहात् ॥ ४ ॥
Translation: Having somehow obtained the rare human birth, manhood, and the ability to discern the essence of the scriptures, if one does not strive for self-liberation, being deluded, one destroys oneself by holding onto the unreal.
==== Sloka 5 ====
इतः को न्वस्ति मूढात्मा यस्तु स्वार्थे प्रमाद्यति ।
दुर्लभं मानुषं देहं प्राप्य तत्रापि पौरुषम् ॥ ५ ॥
Translation: Who indeed is more foolish than the one who neglects self-interest, having attained the rare human body and likewise, strength?
==== Sloka 6 ====
वदन्तु शास्त्राणि यजन्तु देवान्
कुर्वन्तु कर्माणि भजन्तु देवताः ।
आत्मैक्यबोधेन विनापि मुक्तिः
न सिध्यति ब्रह्मशतान्तरेऽपि ॥ ६ ॥
Translation: Without the realization of the unity of the Self, even after hundreds of Brahma's years, liberation cannot be achieved.
==== Sloka 7 ====
अमृतत्वस्य नाशास्ति वित्तेनेत्येव हि श्रुतिः ।
ब्रवीति कर्मणो मुक्तेरहेतुत्वं स्फुटं यतः ॥ ७ ॥
Translation: Indeed, the scriptures declare that immortality is not attained through wealth. It clearly explains the ineffectiveness of actions in achieving liberation.
==== Sloka 8 ====
अतो विमुक्त्यै प्रयतेत्विद्वान्
संन्यस्तबाह्यार्थसुखस्पृहः सन् ।
सन्तं महान्तं समुपेत्य देशिकं
तेनोपदिष्टार्थसमाहितात्मा ॥ ८ ॥
Translation: Therefore, let the wise strive for liberation, renouncing desire for external pleasures, approaching a great and noble teacher, and focusing the mind on the teachings imparted by him.
==== Sloka 9 ====
उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं मग्नं संसारवारिधौ ।
योगारूढत्वमासाद्य सम्यग्दर्शननिष्ठया ॥ ९ ॥
Translation: Lift oneself from the ocean of worldly existence, having attained the state of being established in true vision through yoga.
==== Sloka 10 ====
संन्यस्य सर्वकर्माणि भवबन्धविमुक्तये ।
यत्यतां पण्डितैर्धीरैरात्माभ्यास उपस्थितैः ॥ १० ॥
Translation: Renouncing all actions for liberation from the bondage of existence, let the wise and steadfast strive through the practice of self-discipline.
==== Sloka 11 ====
चित्तस्य शुद्धये कर्म न तु वस्तूपलब्धये ।
वस्तुसिद्धिर्विचारेण न किंचित्कर्मकोटिभिः ॥ ११ ॥
Translation: Action is meant for the purification of the mind, not for the attainment of reality; reality is realized through discernment, not by countless actions.
==== Sloka 12 ====
सम्यग्विचारतः सिद्धा रज्जुतत्त्वावधारणा ।
भ्रान्तोदितमहासर्पभयदुःखविनाशिनी ॥ १२ ॥
Translation: Correct comprehension of the rope's reality dispels the illusory fear and suffering caused by the imagined great snake.
==== Sloka 13 ====
अर्थस्य निश्चयो दृष्टो विचारेण हितोक्तितः ।
न स्नानेन न दानेन प्राणायमशतेन वा ॥ १३ ॥
Translation: The truth of meaning is perceived through thoughtful analysis and beneficial sayings, not through bathing, giving, or hundreds of breathing exercises.
==== Sloka 14 ====
अधिकारिणमाशास्ते फलसिद्धिर्विशेषतः ।
उपाया देशकालाद्याः सन्त्यस्मिन्सहकारिणः ॥ १४ ॥
Translation: The fruition of results especially depends on the competent individual, and means such as place and time are contributors in this.
==== Sloka 15 ====
अतो विचारः कर्तव्यो जिज्ञासोरात्मवस्तुनः ।
समासाद्य दयासिन्धुं गुरुं ब्रह्मविदुत्तमम् ॥ १५ ॥
Translation: Therefore, inquiry into the true nature of the Self should be undertaken by the seeker, having approached a compassionate and supreme knower of Brahman (guru).
==== Sloka 16 ====
मेधावी पुरुषो विद्वानुहापोहविचक्षणः ।
अधिकार्यात्मविद्यायामुक्तलक्षणलक्षितः ॥ १६ ॥
Translation: The intelligent and wise person, skilled in reasoning and analysis, is fit for the knowledge of the Self, being marked by the stated qualifications.
==== Sloka 17 ====
विवेकिनो विरक्तस्य शमादिगुणशालिनः।
मुमुक्षोरेव हि ब्रह्मजिज्ञासायोग्यता मता॥ १७ ॥
Translation: Only one with discrimination, detachment, and virtues like calmness, who is also eager for liberation, is considered fit for inquiry into Brahman.