Section 1 2

Four types of Sadhanas, Need of the Guru

Summary (in English)

The given slokas delineate a structured spiritual journey critical in Vedantic philosophy, emphasizing the essential nature of *sādhana* (spiritual practices), characterized by four spiritual practices (sādhana), namely: discrimination (*viveka*) between the eternal and the transient, dispassion (*vairāgya*) for material gains, cultivation of six virtues, and yearning for liberation (*mumukṣutva*). The slokas further elaborate on the importance of a wise and compassionate guru and prescribe methodologies for spiritual progress like tranquility (*śama*), self-control (*dama*), patience (*titikṣā*), faith (*śraddhā*), mental focus (*samādhi*), and withdrawal (*uparati*). The ultimate aim is to develop deep devotion through self-inquiry, leading to liberation from the illusions of the ego and the body. Dispassion and the desire for liberation are vital; they fuel virtues like calmness and devotion. The enlightened souls are described as selfless guides aiding seekers, much like the moon soothing the harshness of the sun. A reliance on and surrender to the divine are stressed, along with the assurance that liberation comes with the destruction of ignorance through wisdom and the contemplation of Vedantic truths.

सारांश

प्रस्तुत श्लोक वेदान्तिक दर्शन में आध्यात्मिक यात्रा का संरचनात्मक वर्णन करते हैं, जहाँ चार प्रकार की साधनाओं की अनिवार्यता बताई गई है: स्थायी और अस्थायी के बीच विवेक, भौतिक उपलब्धियों के प्रति वैराग्य, छह गुणों का संवर्धन, और मोक्ष के प्रति आकांक्षा। श्लोक आगे एक बुद्धिमान और करुणामय गुरु के महत्व को रेखांकित करते हैं और आध्यात्मिक उन्नति के लिए शमा (शांतता), दम (आत्म-संयम), तितिक्षा (धैर्य), श्रद्धा (आस्था), मानसिक फोकस (समाधि) और उपरति (दृश्याल मेल) जैसी विधियों की सिफारिश करते हैं। अंतिम लक्ष्य आत्म-अन्वेषण के माध्यम से गहरी भक्ति का विकास करना है, जिससे अहंकार और शरीर के भ्रांतियों से मुक्ति प्राप्त होती है। वैराग्य और मोक्ष की इच्छा महत्वपूर्ण मानी गई है; ये शांतता और भक्ति जैसे गुणों का पोषण करते हैं। ज्ञानी आत्माएँ मार्गदर्शक के रूप में होती हैं, जो साधकों की सहायता करती हैं, ठीक वैसे ही जैसे चंद्रमा सूर्य की कठोरता को शांत करता है। दिव्य पर विश्वास और समर्पण के महत्व को रेखांकित किया गया है, साथ ही यह आश्वासन दिया गया है कि मोक्ष ज्ञान और वेदान्तिक सच के चिंतन से अज्ञानता के विनाश के साथ आता है।

Important Concepts (महत्वपूर्ण अवधारणाएँ)

Topics

The structured spiritual path in Vedanta.
The importance of a guru in spiritual practice.
The essential virtues for spiritual progress.
The transformative nature of wisdom and devotion.
Liberation through discernment and destruction of ignorance.

Categories (वर्गीकरण)

Teaching a method
Spiritual practices
Roles of a guru
Understanding and realization
Liberation philosophy

S-V-O Tuples or Propositions as Text

Subject-Verb-Object (S-V-O) Tuples
Subject	Verb	Object
Wise sages	delineate	spiritual practices
Discrimination and dispassion	lead	virtues progression
Guru	bestows	knowledge and grace
Seekers	cultivate	dispassion and devotion
Mahātmā (Great Soul)	alleviates	suffering of seekers
Disciple	seeks	knowledge from guru
Vedanta contemplation	results in	supreme knowledge
Wisdom	destroys	ignorance

Slokas & Translations

Sloka 0

साधनान्यत्र चत्वारि कथितानि मनीषिभिः ।
येषु सत्स्वेव सन्निष्ठा यदभावे न सिध्यति ॥ १८ ॥

Translation: The wise have mentioned four means here, upon which success rests solely; without them, it cannot be achieved.

Sloka 1

आदौ नित्यानित्यवस्तुविवेकः परिगम्यते । 
इहामुत्रफलभोगविरागस्तदनन्तरम्।
शमादिषट्कसम्पत्तिर्मुमुक्षुत्वमिति स्फुटम् ॥ १९ ॥

Translation: Initially, the discrimination between the eternal and non-eternal is understood, followed by dispassion for the fruits of actions here and hereafter; then the sixfold virtues like tranquility, and finally, the yearning for liberation clearly emerges.

Sloka 2

ब्रह्म सत्यं जगन्मिथ्येत्येवंरूपो विनिश्चयः ।
सोऽयं नित्यानित्यवस्तुविवेकः समुदाहृतः ॥ २० ॥

Translation: The discernment between the eternal and the transient is expressed as the knowledge that Brahman is true and the world is illusory.

Sloka 3

तद्वैराग्यं जिहासा या दर्शनश्रवणादिभिः ।
देहादिब्रह्मपर्यन्ते ह्यनित्ये भोगवस्तुनि ॥ २१ ॥

Translation: True dispassion is the desire to renounce transient objects of enjoyment, ranging from the body to Brahman, perceived through seeing, hearing, and other senses.

Sloka 4

विरज्य विषयव्राताद्दोषदृष्ट्या मुहुर्मुहुः ।
स्वलक्ष्ये नियतावस्था मनसः शम उच्यते ॥ २२ ॥

Translation: Renunciation of sensory pleasures repeatedly with awareness of their faults and the steady focusing of the mind on its true purpose is called tranquility.

Sloka 5

विषयेभ्यः परावर्त्य स्थापनं स्वस्वगोलके ।
उभयेषामिन्द्रियाणां स दमः परिकीर्तितः
बाह्यानालम्बनं वृत्तेरेषोपरतिरुत्तमा ॥ २३ ॥

Translation: Turning away from sense objects and establishing the senses in their respective spheres is renowned as self-control; the cessation of external reliance of the mind is considered supreme withdrawal.

Sloka 6

सहनं सर्वदुःखानामप्रतीकारपूर्वकम् ।
चिन्ताविलापरहितं सा तितिक्षा निगद्यते ॥ २४ ॥

Translation: Endurance of all sufferings without seeking remedies, free from anxiety and lamentation, is termed as patience.

Sloka 7

शास्त्रस्य गुरुवाक्यस्य सत्यबुद्ध्यवधारणम् ।
सा श्रद्धा कथिता सद्भिर्यया वस्तूपलभ्यते ॥ २५ ॥

Translation: Faith, as declared by the wise, is the firm conviction in the truth of scriptures and the teacher’s words, through which the ultimate reality is realized.

Sloka 8

सर्वदा स्थापनं बुद्धेः शुद्धे ब्रह्मणि सर्वदा ।
तत्समाधानमित्युक्तं न तु चित्तस्य लालनम् ॥ २६ ॥

Translation: The establishment of the intellect always in the pure Brahman is termed as its true resolution, not as the pampering of the mind.

Sloka 9

अहंकारादिदेहान्तान् बन्धानज्ञानकल्पितान् ।
स्वस्वरूपावबोधेन मोक्तुमिच्छा मुमुक्षुता ॥ २७ ॥

Translation: The desire to liberate oneself from the bonds, created by ignorance, from ego to the body, through the realization of one's true nature is called "mumukshuta".

Sloka 10

मन्दमध्यमरूपापि वैराग्येण शमादिना ।
प्रसादेन गुरोः सेयं प्रवृद्धा सूयते फलम् ॥ २८ ॥

Translation: Even those with modest or moderate capacities, by detachment, peace, and the grace of the Guru, can produce significant fruit when matured.

Sloka 11

वैराग्यं च मुमुक्षुत्वं तीव्रं यस्य तु विद्यते ।
तस्मिन्नेवार्थवन्तः स्युः फलवन्तः शमादयः ॥ २९ ॥

Translation: The virtues like peace and others are meaningful and fruitful only in one who possesses intense dispassion and desire for liberation.

Sloka 12

एतयोर्मन्दता यत्र विरक्तत्वमुमुक्षयोः ।
मरौ सलीलवत्तत्र शमादेर्भानमात्रता ॥ ३० ॥

Translation: Where the dispassion and longing for liberation are weak, calmness and similar virtues hold mere superficial appearance like water in a mirage.

Sloka 13

मोक्षकारणसामग्र्यां भक्तिरेव गरीयसी ।
स्वस्वरूपानुसन्धानं भक्तिरित्यभिधीयते ॥ ३१ ॥

Translation: Among the means to liberation, devotion alone is the supreme; the contemplation on one's own true nature is called devotion.

Sloka 14

स्वात्मतत्त्वानुसन्धानं भक्तिरित्यपरे जगुः ।
उक्तसाधनसंपन्नस्तत्त्वजिज्ञासुरात्मनः
उपसीदेद्गुरुं प्राज्ञ्यं यस्माद्बन्धविमोक्षणम् ॥ ३२ ॥

Translation: Some declare that true devotion is the inquiry into the nature of one's own self; a seeker of truth, endowed with prescribed means, should approach a wise guru for liberation from bondage.

Sloka 15

श्रोत्रियोऽवृजिनोऽकामहतो यो ब्रह्मवित्तमः ।
ब्रह्मण्युपरतः शान्तो निरिन्धन इवानलः
अहेतुकदयासिन्धुर्बन्धुरानमतां सताम् ॥ ३३ ॥

Translation: He who is learned in the scriptures, free from sin, unaffected by desires, supreme knower of Brahman, detached, peaceful, like a fire without fuel, is an uncaused ocean of compassion and a friend to the sincere surrenderers.

Sloka 16

तमाराध्य गुरुं भक्त्या प्रह्वप्रश्रयसेवनैः ।
प्रसन्नं तमनुप्राप्य पृच्छेज्ज्ञातव्यमात्मनः ॥ ३४ ॥

Translation: By worshiping the Guru through devotion, humility, and service, and after acquiring his grace, one should ask about the knowledge of the self.

Sloka 17

स्वामिन्नमस्ते नतलोकबन्धो
कारुण्यसिन्धो पतितं भवाब्धौ ।
मामुद्धरात्मीयकटाक्षदृष्ट्या
ऋज्व्यातिकारुण्यसुधाभिवृष्ट्या ॥ ३५ ॥

Translation: O Lord, friend of the humble, ocean of compassion, raise me from the ocean of worldly existence with your glancing eyes that shower the nectar of profound grace.

Sloka 18

दुर्वारसंसारदवाग्नितप्तं
दोधूयमानं दुरदृष्टवातैः ।
भीतं प्रपन्नं परिपाहि मृत्योः
शरण्यमन्यद्यदहं न जाने ॥ ३६ ॥

Translation: Save me, terrified and suffering in the inescapable forest fire of worldly existence, being tossed by misfortune, for I know no other refuge than you from death.

Sloka 19

शान्ता महान्तो निवसन्ति सन्तो
वसन्तवल्लोकहितं चरन्तः ।
तीर्णाः स्वयं भीमभवार्णवं जनान्
अहेतुनान् यानपि तारयन्तः ॥ ३७ ॥

Translation: The peaceful and great saints reside like the spring, working for the welfare of the world, and help people cross the formidable ocean of existence selflessly.

Sloka 20

अयं स्वभावः स्वत एव यत्पर
श्रमापनोदप्रवणं महात्मनाम् ।
सुधांशुरेष स्वयमर्ककर्कश
प्रभाभितप्तामवति क्षितिं किल ॥ ३८ ॥

Translation: It is the nature of the great souls to naturally tend to the removal of others' suffering, just as the moon cools the earth scorched by the harsh rays of the sun.

Sloka 21

ब्रह्मानन्दरसानुभूतिकलितैः पूर्तैः सुशीतैर्युतैः<br />युष्मद्वाक्कलशोज्झितैः श्रुतिसुखैर्वाक्यामृतैः सेचय । <br />संतप्तं भवतापदावदहनज्वालाभिरेनं प्रभो<br />धन्यास्ते भवदीक्षणक्षणगतेः पात्रीकृताः स्वीकृताः ॥ ३९ ॥

Translation: O Lord, shower upon me the nectarine words, enriched with the experience of bliss, fulfilling and refreshing, to quench the burning heat of worldly suffering. Blessed are those who become worthy of your glance, even for a moment.

Sloka 22

कथं तरेयं भवसिन्धुमेतं
का वा गतिर्मे कतमोऽस्त्युपायः ।
जाने न किञ्ज्चित्कृपयाव मां प्रभो
संसारदुःखक्षतिमातनुष्व ॥ ४0 ॥

Translation: O Lord, how can I cross this ocean of existence? What means or path is available to me? I know nothing; please, out of compassion, alleviate the suffering of worldly existence.

Sloka 23

तथा वदन्तं शरणागतं स्वं
संसारदावानलतापतप्तम् ।
निरीक्ष्य कारुण्यरसार्द्रदृष्ट्या
दद्यादभीतिं सहसा महात्मा ॥ ४१ ॥

Translation: The great soul bestows fearlessness upon the suffering seeker with a compassionate gaze.

Sloka 24

विद्वान् स तस्मा उपसत्तिमीयुषे
मुमुक्षवे साधु यथोक्तकारिणे ।
प्रशान्तचित्ताय शमान्विताय
तत्त्वोपदेशं कृपयैव कुर्यात् ॥ ४२ ॥

Translation: The wise one should compassionately impart knowledge of the truth to the seeker who approaches, desires liberation, acts rightly, is peaceful, and self-controlled.

Sloka 25

मा भैष्ट विद्वंस्तव नास्त्यपायः
संसारसिन्धोस्तरणेऽस्त्युपायः ।
येनैव याता यतयोऽस्य पारं
तमेव मार्गं तव निर्दिशामि ॥ ४३ ॥

Translation: Do not fear, learned one; there is no danger to you. There exists a means to cross the ocean of worldly existence. I direct you to the very path that the sages have traversed to reach the other shore.

Sloka 26

अस्त्युपायो महान् कश्चित्संसारभयनाशनः ।
तेन तीर्त्वा भवाम्भोधिं परमानन्दमाप्स्यसि ॥ ४४ ॥

Translation: There exists a great means that destroys the fear of worldly existence; by that, crossing the ocean of becoming, you shall attain supreme bliss.

Sloka 27

वेदान्तार्थविचारेण जायते ज्ञानमुत्तमम् ।
तेनात्यन्तिकसंसारदुःखनाशो भवत्यनु ॥ ४५ ॥

Translation: Through contemplation of Vedantic truths, supreme knowledge arises, resulting in the destruction of the absolute sorrow of worldly existence thereafter.

Sloka 28

श्रद्धाभक्तिध्यानयोगाम्मुमुक्षोः
मुक्तेर्हेतून्वक्ति साक्षाच्छ्रुतेर्गीः ।
यो वा एतेष्वेव तिष्ठत्यमुष्य
मोक्षोऽविद्याकल्पिताद्देहबन्धात् ॥ ४६ ॥

Translation: The teachings of the Vedas declare that faith, devotion, meditation, and yoga lead the seeker to liberation. Whosoever abides in these virtues gains liberation from the bondage of the body imagined by ignorance.

Sloka 29

अज्ञानयोगात्परमात्मनस्तव
ह्यनात्मबन्धस्तत एव संसृतिः ।
तयोर्विवेकोदितबोधवन्हिः
अज्ञानकार्यं प्रदहेत्समूलम् ॥ ४७ ॥

Translation: Due to the union with ignorance, one's bondage to the non-self arises, and this alone is the cause of worldly existence. The fire of wisdom kindled by discernment can completely burn the effects of ignorance.

Sloka 30

शिष्य उवाच<br />कृपया श्रूयतां स्वामिन् प्रश्नोऽयं क्रियते मया । <br />यदुत्तरमहं श्रुत्वा कृतार्थः स्यां भवन्मुखात् ॥ ४८ ॥

Translation: The disciple said, "Please listen, O Master. I am posing a question, and by hearing your answer, I shall be fulfilled."

Sloka 31

को नाम बन्धः कथमेष आगतः
कथं प्रतिष्ठास्य कथं विमोक्षः ।
कोऽसावनात्मा परमः क आत्मा
तयोर्विवेकः कथमेतदुच्यताम् ॥ ४९ ॥

Translation: What is bondage, how has it arisen, how does it continue, and how is liberation achieved? What is the non-self, what is the supreme self, and how is discrimination between them to be understood?