Sbg 15.18 etassa

English Translation of Abhinavgupta's Sanskrit Commentary By Dr. S. Sankaranarayan 15.16-18 Dvav imau etc. upto Purusottamah. What has been stated in the passage 'There are two persons in the world etc.', is this : The body organism is made of the earth and other elements. In the world every person, unitelligent by nature, takes the body for the Self and [hence] views the Soul to be of perishing nature. Hence, the sense of duality does not come to an end with regard to the worldly persons, because of their delusion. But I am (the I-consciousness is) the One favouring all, and by cutting the daulity-knot I am to be realised as the One pervading all.

(I) have transcended the perishing : Since the elements are insentient. (I) have transcended the nonperishing : Since the omnipresence [of the Self] is cut off (not comprehended) when the Self is not properly realised. In the world and in the Veda too I am acclaimed as the Highest of Persons : The Self same Supreme Self, admitting no duality, is described in this manner with the sentences 'He is he Highest Person' and the like.