Sri Sankara’s Vivekachudamani By Acharya Pranipata Chaitanya -17


























Sri Sankara’s
Vivekachudamani

By
Acharya Pranipata Chaitanya
(Tiruchengode Chinmaya Mission, Tamil Nadu, India)



prak®tivik®tiþ¨nyaÕ bh˜van˜tŸtabh˜vaÕ
samarasamasam˜naÕ m˜nasambandhad¨ram |
nigamavacanasiddhaÕ nityamasmatprasiddhaÕ
h®di kalayati vidv˜n brahma p¨rõaÕ sam˜dhau || 410||
àk«itivk«itzUNym! prak®tivik®tiþ¨nyam devoid of cause and effect -avnatIt-avm! bh˜van˜tŸtabh˜vam as the Reality beyond all fancy smrsm! samarasam as homogeneous Asmanm! asam˜nam matchless mansMbNxËrm! m˜nasambandhad¨ram beyond all proofs (means of knowledge) ingmvcnisÏm! nigamavacanasiddham established by the declarations of scriptures inTym! nityam always eternally ASmt! àisÏm! asmat prasiddham self-established ùid h®di in the heart klyit kalayati realises ivÖan! vidv˜n the wise man äü pU[Rm! brahma p¨rõam the infinite Brahman smaxaE sam˜dhau in Samadhi
Through Samadhi, the wise realize the infinite Brahman in the heart, as devoid of cause and effect, as the Reality beyond all imagination, as homogenous, beyond all compares and proofs, established by the declarations of the scriptures as eternally self-established.

ajaramamaramast˜bh˜vavastusvar¨paÕ
stimitasalilar˜þiprakhyam˜khy˜vihŸnam |
þamitaguõavik˜raÕ þ˜þvataÕ þ˜ntamekaÕ
h®di kalayati vidv˜n brahma p¨rõaÕ sam˜dhau || 411||
Ajrm! ajaram undecaying Amrm! amaram immortal ASt A-av vStuSvêpm! asta abh˜va vastusvar¨pam as the positive Entity which debars all negations iStimt sill raizàOym! stimita salila r˜þiprakhyam like a calm ocean AaOya ivhInm! ˜khy˜ vihŸnam nameless zimtgu[ivkarm! þamitaguõavik˜ram where modifications of qualities are quietened zañtm! þ˜þvatam eternal zaNtm! þ˜ntam One @km! ekam One ùid h®di in the heart klyit kalayati realises ivÖan! vidv˜n the wise man äü pU[Rm! brahma p¨rõam infinite Brahman smaxaE sam˜dhau in Samadhi
Through Samadhi, the wise realize the infinite Brahman in the heart as undecaying and immortal, as the positive Entity beyond all negations, like a calm ocean, which has no name, in which there are neither merits nor demerits, eternal, tranquil and One.  

sam˜hit˜nta×karaõa× svar¨pe
vilokay˜tm˜namakhaõýavaibhavam |
vicchinddhi bandhaÕ bhavagandhagandhitaÕ
yatnena puÕstvaÕ saphalŸkuruÿva || 412|
smaihtaNt>kr[> sam˜hit˜nta×karaõa× being one who has quietened the mind Svêpe svar¨pe in one's True Nature ivlaeky vilokaya "see" AaTmanm! ˜tm˜nam your own Self Ao{fvE-vm! akhaõýavaibhavam of infinite splendour iviCDiNÏ vicchinddhi cut off bNxm! bandham bondage -vgNxgiNxtm! bhavagandhagandhitam which has been strengthened by the impressions of your previous births yTnen yatnena with effort pu<STvm! puÕstvam human birth s)lIk…é:v saphalŸkuruÿva fulfil
With a concentrated mind, in Samadhi, realize your own self, the Self of infinite splendour. Cut off your bondage which has been strengthened by the impressions of previous births and successfully strive to fulfill your human birth.  
sarvop˜dhivinirmuktaÕ saccid˜nandamadvayam |
bh˜vay˜tm˜nam˜tmasthaÕ na bh¨ya× kalpase'dhvane || 413||
svR %paix ivinmuRKtm! sarva up˜dhi vinirmuktam which is beyond all limiting adjuncts st! ict! AanNdm! sat cit ˜nandam Existence-Knowledge-Bliss AÖym! advayam Non-dual -avy bh˜vaya meditate AaTmanm! ˜tm˜nam upon that Atman AaTmSwm! ˜tmastham residing in your self n na not -Uy> bh¨ya× again kLpse kalpase will be qualified AXvne adhvane for samsara, births and deaths
Meditate upon that Atman which is your Self, which is beyond all limitations, which is Existence-Knowledge-Bliss-Absolute and Non-dual. Never again will you come under the sway of births and deaths.
Give up perceptions (verses 414-418)

ch˜yeva puÕsa× parid®þyam˜na-
m˜bh˜sar¨peõa phal˜nubh¨ty˜ |  
þarŸram˜r˜cchavavannirastaÕ
punarna sandhatta idaÕ mah˜tm˜ || 414||
Daya #v ch˜y˜ iva like the shadow pu<s> puÕsa× man's pir†Zymanm! parid®þyam˜nam which is being seen Aa-asêpe[ ˜bh˜sar¨peõa as an appearance )lanu-UTya phal˜nubh¨ty˜ owing to the effects of past actions zrIrm! þarŸram the body Aarat! ˜r˜t to a distance zvvt! þavavat like a corpse inrStm! nirastam is cast off pun> puna× again n s<xÄe na sandhatte does not attach #dm! idam this mhaTma mah˜tm˜ the wise man
Once the body has been cast off like a corpse, the wise person has no attachment to it, though, like a shadow, it is still visible as appearance, owing to the effects of past actions.

satatavimalabodh˜nandar¨paÕ sametya
tyaja jaýamalar¨pop˜dhimetaÕ sud¨re |
atha punarapi naiÿa smaryat˜Õ v˜ntavastu
smaraõaviÿayabh¨taÕ palpate kutsan˜ya || 415||  
stt satata eternal ivmlbaexanNdêpm! vimalabodh˜nandar¨pam the pure(unsullied) Knowledge and Bliss smeTy sametya having realised Tyj tyaja throw jfmlêp %paixm! jaýamalar¨pa up˜dhim upadhi (body) which is inert and impure @tm! etam this suËre sud¨re far away Aw atha then pun> Aip puna× api anymore n na not @;> eÿa× this SmyRtam! smaryat˜m should be remembered vaNtvStu v˜ntavastu a thing vomitted Smr[iv;y-Utm! smaraõaviÿayabh¨tam when remembered kLpte kalpate becomes k…Tsnay kutsan˜ya cause of disgust
Eternal, unsullied Knowledge-Bliss—thus realizing the Atman, fling far away this body which is inert and impure. Then think of it no more, for a thing vomited brings only disgust when it is remembered.

sam¨lametatparid˜hya vahnau
sad˜tmani brahmaõi nirvikalpe |
tata× svayaÕ nityaviþuddhabodh˜-  
nand˜tman˜ tiÿ÷hati vidvariÿ÷ha× || 416||
smUlm! sam¨lam with its root @tt! etat this pirdaý parid˜hya burning vûaE vahnau in the fire sdaTmin sad˜tmani the eternal Self äüi[ inivRkLpe brahmaõi nirvikalpe absolute Brahman tt> tata× then Svym! svayam himself inTy ivzuÏbaexanNdaTmna nitya viþuddhabodh˜nand˜tman˜ as the pure Atman which is Eternal-Knowledge-Bliss itóit tiÿ÷hati remains ivÖiró> vidvariÿ÷ha× one firmly established in the knowledge of Brahman
Burning all this, root and all, in the fire of Brahman, the Eternal, Absolute Self, the truly wise remain alone, established as the pure, eternal, enlightened, blissfulSelf.

pr˜rabdhas¨tragrathitaÕ þarŸraÕ
pray˜tu v˜ tiÿ÷hatu goriva srak |
na tatpuna× paþyati tattvavett˜-
''nand˜tmani brahmaõi lŸnav®tti× || 417||  
àarBx sUÇ ¢iwtm! pr˜rabdha s¨tra grathitam woven from the fabric of Prarabdha zrIrm! þarŸram the body àyatu pray˜tu whether it goes va or itótu tiÿ÷hatu remains gae> #v go× iva like cow's ökoe srak garland n na no tt! tat that pun> puna× again pZyit paþyati sees tÅvveÄa tattvavett˜ the knower of Truth AnNdaTmin anand˜tmani the quintessence of Bliss äüi[ brahmaõi in Brahman lInv&iÄ> lŸnav®tti× one whose thoughts are reposed
This body is woven from the fibre of Prarabdha* and the knower of Truth is not concerned whether it drops off or remains—as the garland around the cow‘s neck, for his thoughts are reposed in Brahman, the quintessence of Bliss.
*The Vedic texts divide Karma into three types: Sanchita, Agami, and Prarabdha. Sanchita is karma accumulated in the past; Agami is karma to be worked out in the future; and Prarabdha is karma that has begun to fructify in the present. Prarabdha karma is selected out of the past accumulated heap in such a manner that the selected portions can produce results without being mutually nullifying. Prarabdha karma has to be self-consistent, as otherwise it can't work.
Sometimes it is observed that even a sage has to settle prarabdha karma although with the dawn of true knowledge—that he is not the body, hence not the doer—the sanchita (accumulated) karma has become debilitated and the agami (future) karma has lost its entire prospect. This is also only relatively true. Sri Ramana has explained this with an elegant analogy in Ulladu Narpadu Anubandham, verse 33: ―The statement that the jnani retains prarabdha while free from sanchita and agami is only a formal answer to the questions of the ignorant. Of several wives none escapes widowhood when the husband dies; even so, when the doer goes, all three karmas vanish (Collected Works, 2000, p. 127).
In some of the later verses of Vivekachudamani (see verses 455, 459-464 below), Sankara states that prarabdha karma cannot be attributed to a jnani or to one who has http://www.advaitin.net/PranipataChaitanya/Vivekachudamani%20eBook%20FinalFinal1.pdf 412
realized the Self. For one who has realized that he is not the body, this classification ceases to exist in effect. In verses 463-364, for example, Sankara clearly states that scriptures expound the doctrine of prarabdha to satisfy the spiritually ignorant.
In a small treatise on Self-realization titled Aparokshanubhuti, Sri Sankara devotes a whole segment to clarify this enigmatic point. He opines that prarabdha is spoken of by the scriptures only for those who do not understand the highest truth and cites vedic texts to refute prarabdha. He asks: ―The body also being within the phenomenal world (and therefore unreal), how could Prarabdha exit? (Vimuktananda, 2001, p. 51). Since the sage has become free from the idea ‗I am the body,‘ there is no ego left to claim doership of any sort. And when there is no ego, there is no karma left to work out. Sankara cites an important verse from Mundakopanisad (II.2.viii) to support his contention: ―And all the actions of a man perish when he realizes the highest Self, the Atman. The full verse runs like this: ‗bidhtey hridyey granthi cheedantey sarva sanshaya, ksheeyante chasyey karmaani tasmin drsishtey pravarae‘ (When a person realizes Him in both the high and the low, the knots of heart are rent asunder, doubts dispelled, and all karmas exhausted).

akhaõý˜nandam˜tm˜naÕ vijñ˜ya svasvar¨pata× |
kimicchan kasya v˜ hetordehaÕ puÿõ˜ti tattvavit || 418||
Ao{fanNdm! AaTmanm! akhaõý˜nandam ˜tm˜nam the Atman which is indivisible Bliss iv}ay vijñ˜ya having known SvSvêpt> svasvar¨pata× as his own-Self ikm! kim what #CDn! icchan desiring kSy hetae> kasya heto× for whose purpose va or dehm! deham body pu:[ait puÿõ˜ti should cherish tÅvivt! tattvavit the knower of Truth
Having known the Atman which is indivisible Bliss, to be one‘s very own Self, with what motive or for whom will the knower of Truth cherish the body.  
The science of reality – its benefits (verses 419-425)

saÕsiddhasya phalaÕ tvetajjŸvanmuktasya yogina× |
bahiranta× sad˜nandaras˜sv˜danam˜tmani || 419||
s<isÏSy saÕsiddhasya for the perfected )lm! phalam result tu tu indeed @tt! etat this jIvNmuKtSy yaeign> jŸvanmuktasya yogina× for the Yogi who is liberated-while-living bih> bahi× without ANt> anta× within sdanNdrs AaSvadnm! sad˜nandarasa ˜sv˜danam the experience of the essence of perpetual Bliss AaTmin ˜tmani in himself
The perfected Yogi who is liberated-while-living, gets this as a result—in himself he enjoys the Bliss Eternal, both within and without.

vair˜gyasya phalaÕ bodho bodhasyoparati× phalam |
sv˜nand˜nubhav˜cch˜ntireÿaivoparate× phalam || 420||
vEraGySy vair˜gyasya of dispassion )lm! phalam the fruit baex> bodha× is knowledge baexSy bodhasya of knowledge %prit> uparati× withdrawal (from sense-
pleasures) )lm! phalam reward SvanNdanu-vat! sv˜nand˜nubhav˜t from the experience of the Blissful Self zaiNt> þ˜nti× (comes) peace @;a eÿ˜ this @v eva alone %prte> )lm! uparate× phalam the fruit of withdrawal
The reward of dispassion is Knowledge, that knowledge is withdrawal from sense pleasures. The reward of this withdrawal is the peace arising from the experience of one‘s own Blissful Self.

yadyuttarottar˜bh˜va× p¨rvap¨rvantu niÿphalam |
niv®tti× param˜ t®ptir˜nando'nupama× svata× || 421||
yid yadi if %Är %Är A-av> uttara uttara abh˜va× there is the absence of the succeeding stages pUvR pUvRm! p¨rva p¨rvam the preceeding ones tu tu but in:)lm! niÿphalam fruitless,useless inv&iÄ> niv®tti× cessation prma t&iPt> param˜ t®pti× supreme satisfaction AanNd> ˜nanda× Bliss Anupm> anupama× unequalled Svt> svata× as a matter of course
When there are no succeeding stages, the preceding ones are useless. (In a perfect series), automatic cessation of the objective world, supreme satisfaction and unequalled Bliss will follow naturally.  

d®ÿ÷adu×kheÿvanudvego vidy˜y˜× prastutaÕ phalam |
yatk®taÕ bhr˜ntivel˜y˜Õ n˜n˜ karma jugupsitam |
paþc˜nnaro vivekena tatkathaÕ kartumarhati || 422||
†òÊ>oe;u d®ÿ÷adu×kheÿu towards worldly sorrows experienced AnuÖeg> anudvega× indifference iv*aya> vidy˜y˜× of knowledge àStutm! prastutam the result in question )lm! phalam result yt! yat that which k«tm! k®tam were done æaiNtvelayam! bhr˜ntivel˜y˜m in delusion nana kmR n˜n˜ karma various deeds juguiPstm! jugupsitam vile pZcat! paþc˜t thereafter nr> nara× man ivveken vivekena on discrimination tt! tat that kwm! katham how ktuRm! AhRit kartum arhati can he perform
The result of Knowledge is indifference towards worldly sorrows, How can he, who performs blameworthy deeds in delusion, perform them again when he possesses right discrimination?


vidy˜phalaÕ sy˜dasato niv®tti×
prav®ttirajñ˜naphalaÕ tadŸkÿitam |
tajjñ˜jñayoryanm®gat®ÿõik˜dau
nocedvid˜Õ d®ÿ÷aphalaÕ kimasm˜t || 423||
iv*a)lm! vidy˜phalam the result of knowledge Syat! sy˜t should be Ast> asata× from the unreal inv&iÄ> niv®tti× turning away àv&iÄ> prav®tti× pursuit(of unreal) A}an)lm! ajñ˜naphalam the result of 'ignorance' tt! tat this $i]tm! Ÿkÿitam is seen tJ} A}yae> tajjña ajñayo× experienced in the case of one who knows it and one who does not yt! yat which m&gt&i:[kadaE m®gat®ÿõik˜dau about the mirage etc n % cet! na u cet if this is not so, then ivdam! vid˜m for the wise man †ò)lm! d®ÿ÷aphalam palpable result ikm! kim what ASmat! asm˜t from this
Turning away from the unreal should be the result of Knowledge; attachment to the unreal is the result of ignorance. Such is seen to be the case of one who knows a mirage etc., and one who does not. Else, what other tangible result do the knowers-of-Reality gain?  

ajñ˜nah®dayagranthervin˜þo yadyaþeÿata× |
anicchorviÿaya× kiÕ nu prav®tte× k˜raõaÕ svata× || 424||
A}an ùdy ¢Nwe> ajñ˜na h®daya granthe× of the knots of ignorance in the heart ivnaz> vin˜þa× destruction yid yadi if Aze;t> aþeÿata× total AinCDae> aniccho× for the desireless person iv;y> viÿaya× object ikm! nu kim nu what àv&Äe> prav®tte× to ego centric action kar[m! k˜raõam cause Svt> svata× natural
When the knots of ignorance in the heart have been totally destroyed, what natural cause can prompt a person who is averse to sense-pleasures, to ego-centric actions?
 .
v˜san˜nudayo bhogye vair˜gasya tad˜vadhi× |
ahambh˜voday˜bh˜vo bodhasya param˜vadhi× |
lŸnav®ttairanutpattirmary˜doparatestu s˜ || 425||
vasna Anudy> v˜san˜ anudaya× not rising of desire -aeGye bhogye for the pleasure vEragSy vair˜gasya of dispassion  
tda tad˜ then Avix> avadhi× the culmination Ah<-av %dy A-av> ahambh˜va udaya abh˜va× absence of the rise ego-sense baexSy bodhasya of knowledge prmavix> param˜vadhi× supreme perfection lInv&Äe> lŸnav®tte× of the merged thought AnuTpiÄ> anutpatti× non-appearance myaRda mary˜d˜ the peak %prte> uparate× of self-withdrawal tu tu and sa that
The culmination of dispassion is when the sense-objects do not excite any more desires. Supreme perfection of Knowledge is when there is no egoistic feeling. The peak of self-withdrawal is reached when the thoughts which have been merged manifest no more.
Signs of a realized seer (verses 426-445)

brahm˜k˜ratay˜ sad˜ sthitatay˜ nirmuktab˜hy˜rthadhŸ-
rany˜veditabhogyabhogakalano nidr˜luvadb˜lavat |
svapn˜lokitalokavajjagadidaÕ paþyankvacillabdhadhŸ-
r˜ste kaþcidanantapuõyaphalabhugdhanya× sa m˜nyo bhuvi || 426||  




                                                                         
äüakartya brahm˜k˜ratay˜ on account of absorption in Brahman sda sad˜ constantly iSwttya sthitatay˜ on account of that abidance in Brahman inmuRKtbaýawRxI> nirmuktab˜hy˜rthadhŸ× freed from the sense of reality of external objects ANyaveidt-aeGy-aegkln> any˜veditabhogyabhogakalana× only seemingly enjoying the sense-objects when offered by others inÔaluvt! nidr˜luvat like one sleepy balvt! b˜lavat like a baby pZyn! paþyan perceiving jgiddm! jagadidam this world SvPnalaeiktlaekvt! svapn˜lokitalokavat as one seen in the dream Kvict! kvacit recognizing this world now and then only lBxxI> labdhadhŸ× kiít! AaSte kaþcit ˜ste such a man is rarely there s> sa× he -uiv bhuvi in earth maNy> m˜nya× is most revered AnNtpu{y)l-ukoe anantapuõyaphalabhuk is the enjoyer of the fruits of infinite untold merits xNy> dhanya× is truly the blessed
On account of constant absorption in Brahman, freed from the sense of reality of external objects, only seemingly enjoying them when offered by others, like one sleepy or like a baby, perceiving the world as one seen in a dream and recognizing it only now and then, such a person is indeed rare. Such a person is the enjoyer of the fruits of infinite merits and is truly considered blessed and revered on earth.

 .
sthitaprajño yatirayaÕ ya× sad˜nandamaþnute |
brahmaõyeva vilŸn˜tm˜ nirvik˜ro viniÿkriya× || 427||
y> ya× whoever iSwtà}> sthitaprajña× is a man of steady wisdom Aym! yit ayam yati such a master of senses äüi[ @v brahmaõi eva in Brahman alone ivlInaTma vilŸn˜tm˜ having merged himself sdanNdm! sad˜nandam everlasting Bliss AZnute aþnute enjoys inivRkar> nirvik˜ra× without modification ivini:³y> viniÿkriya× without activity
That person of steady wisdom, having merged oneself in Brahman enjoys everlasting Bliss, without modification, and freed from all activity.

brahm˜tmano× þodhitayorekabh˜v˜vag˜hinŸ |
nirvikalp˜ ca cinm˜tr˜ v®tti× prajñeti kathyate |
susthit˜'sau bhavedyasya sthitaprajña× sa ucyate || 428||
v&iÄ> v®tti× the type of mental activity @k -av AvgaihnI eka bh˜va avag˜hinŸ which admits only the identity (between) zaeixtyae> þodhitayo× between the well analysed äüaTmnae> brahm˜tmano× (between) the Self and Brahman inivRkLpa  
nirvikalp˜ free from all limitations and duality c ca and icNmaÇa cinm˜tr˜ only concerned with pure Knowledge kWyte kathyate is called à}a #it prajñ˜ iti as 'illumination' ySy yasya of whom sa that illumination suiSwta -vet! susthit˜ bhavet is very steady s> sa× he s %Cyte sa ucyate is known as iSwtà}> sthitaprajña× a man of steady wisdom
The type of mental activity which admits only the identity of the Self and Brahman, free from all limitations and devoid of duality, which is only concerned with pure Knowledge, is called the ‗illumination‘. One who has this steady illumination is known as a person of steady wisdom.

yasya sthit˜ bhavetprajñ˜ yasy˜nando nirantara× |
prapañco vism®tapr˜ya× sa jŸvanmukta iÿyate || 429||
ySy yasya for whom à}a prajñ˜ illumination iSwta -vet! sthit˜ bhavet is very steady ySy yasya for whom AanNd> ˜nanda× the experience of Bliss inrNtr> nirantara× is endless ySy yasya for whom àpÁc> prapañca× the phenomenal world ivSm&tàay> vism®tapr˜ya× is as good as  
forgotten s> sa× he #:yte iÿyate is considered jIvNmuKt> jŸvanmukta× as jivanmukta (liberated while living)
One who has steady wisdom, who experiences endless Bliss, who has forgotten the phenomenal world, that person is considered a jivan-mukta, one-liberated-while-living.

lŸnadhŸrapi j˜garti j˜graddharmavivarjita× |
bodho nirv˜sano yasya sa jŸvanmukta iÿyate || 430||
y> ya× he who lInxIrip lŸnadhŸrapi even though merged himself in Brahman jagitR j˜garti is alert ja¢ÏmR ivvijRt> j˜graddharma vivarjita× without the characteristics of wakefulness ySy yasya whose baex> bodha× Knowledge invaRsn> nirv˜sana× is free from desire s> sa× he #:yte iÿyate is considered jIvNmuKt> jŸvanmukta× jivan mukta (liberated while living)
One who has merged oneself in the Brahman, yet is alert, but without the characteristics of wakefulness, whose Knowledge is free from desire, he is considered a jivan-mukta.

þ˜ntasaÕs˜rakalana× kal˜v˜napi niÿkala× |  
yasya cittaÕ viniþcintaÕ sa jŸvanmukta iÿyate || 431||
y> ya× he who klavan! Aip kal˜v˜n api even though with a body consisting of parts (yet) in:kl> niÿkala× is without parts zaNt s<sar kln> þ˜nta saÕs˜ra kalana× is one whose concern about the world has been stilled (calmed) ySy yasya whose icÄm! cittam mind iviniZcNtm! viniþcintam is free from anxiety s> sa× he who #:yte iÿyate is considered jIvNmuKt> jŸvanmukta× a jivanmukta (liberated-while-living)
One whose concern about the world has been stilled, who has a body consisting of parts yet is without parts, whose mind is free from anxiety, he is considered a jivan-mukta.

vartam˜ne'pi dehe'smiñch˜y˜vadanuvartini |
ahant˜mamat˜'bh˜vo jŸvanmuktasya lakÿaõam || 432||
Aip api even deheiSmn! dehesmin in this body Dayavt! AnuvitRin ch˜y˜vat anuvartini following like a shadow vtRmane vartam˜ne when it persists AhNta mmta A-av> ahant˜ mamat˜ abh˜va× the absence of the concepts of 'I' and 'mine' l][m! lakÿaõam is the indication jIvNmuKtSy jŸvanmuktasya of a jivanmukta(liberated-while-living)  
The absence of concepts of ―I and ―mine even in his body which persists like a shadow—this is the indication of a jivan-mukta.

atŸt˜nanusandh˜naÕ bhaviÿyadavic˜raõam |
aud˜sŸnyamapi pr˜ptaÕ jŸvanmuktasya lakÿaõam || 433||
AtIt AnnusNxanm! atŸta ananusandh˜nam no thought for the enjoyments of the past -iv:yt! Aivcar[m! bhaviÿyat avic˜raõam no thought for the future Aip api even AaEdasINym! aud˜sŸnyam indifference àaPte pr˜pte in the present accomplishment(pursuit) l][m! lakÿaõam (serve as) indication jIvNmuKtSy jŸvanmuktasya of a jivanmukta(liberated-while-living)
No thought for the enjoyments of the past, no thought for the future and indifference even for the present—this is the indication of a jivan-mukta.

guõadoÿaviþiÿ÷e'sminsvabh˜vena vilakÿaõe |
sarvatra samadarþitvaÕ jŸvanmuktasya lakÿaõam || 434||  
svRÇ sarvatra everywhere smdizRTvm! j! samadarþitvam looking with an equal eye AiSmn! asmin on this world gu[dae;ivizòe guõadoÿaviþiÿ÷e riddled with elements possessing merit and demirit Sv-aven svabh˜vena characteristically by nature ivl][e vilakÿaõe different from one another l][m! lakÿaõam (serve as) indication jIvNmuKtSy jŸvanmuktasya of a jivanmukta (liberated-while-living)
Seeing everywhere with an eye of equality, this world riddled with elements possessing merit and demerit, characteristically different one from other---this is the indication of a jivan-mukta.

iÿ÷˜niÿ÷˜rthasampr˜ptau samadarþitay˜''tmani |
ubhayatr˜vik˜ritvaÕ jŸvanmuktasya lakÿaõam || 435||
#ò Ainò AwR sMàaPtaE iÿ÷a aniÿ÷a artha sampr˜ptau when confronted with things pleasing or painful %-yÇ AivkairTvm! ubhayatra avik˜ritvam to be unperturbed in both cases ATmin atmani in one's own understanding smdizRtya samadarþitay˜ by maintaining an equal attitude or equinimity l][m! lakÿaõam (serve as) indication jIvNmuKtSy jŸvanmuktasya of a jivanmukta (liberated-while-living)  
When confronted with things pleasant or unpleasant, to remain unperturbed in both cases, by maintaining equanimity—this is the indication of a jivan-mukta.

brahm˜nandaras˜sv˜d˜saktacittatay˜ yate× |
antarbahiravijñ˜naÕ jŸvanmuktasya lakÿaõam || 436||
äüanNdrs AaSvad AasKt icÄtya brahm˜nandarasa ˜sv˜da ˜sakta cittatay˜ on account of the mind constantly engaged in tasting the Bliss of Brahman yte> yate× (of) for a samnyasin or a disciplined person, i.e.,
'master of senses' ANtbRihriv}anm! antarbahiravijñ˜nam non-entertainment of distinctions within and without l][m! lakÿaõam (serve as) indication jIvNmuKtSy jŸvanmuktasya of a jivanmukta(liberated-while-living)
Constantly absorbed in experiencing the Bliss of Brahman, a disciplined person (yatih) entertains no distinctions of within and without---this is the indication of a jivan-mukta.

dehendriy˜dau kartavye mam˜hambh˜vavarjita× |
aud˜sŸnyena yastiÿ÷hetsa jŸvanmuktalakÿaõa× || 437||    
deh #iNÔy AadaE deha indriya ˜dau with regard to body, sense-organs, etc ktRVye kartavye with regard to duties mm Ahm! -av vijRt> mama aham bh˜va varjita× having no idea of 'I'and 'mine' AaEdasINyen aud˜sŸnyena with an attitude of indifference y> ya× whoever itóet! tiÿ÷het remains (would remain always) s> sa× he who jIvNmuKtl][> jŸvanmuktalakÿaõa× is the possessor of the indication of a 'jivan mukta' (liberated while living)
Free from the sense of ―I and ―mine with regard to the actions of the body, sense-organs etc. and living in a spirit of detachment---this is the indication of a jivan-mukta.

vijñ˜ta ˜tmano yasya brahmabh˜va× þruterbal˜t |
bhavabandhavinirmukta× sa jŸvanmuktalakÿaõa× || 438||
ySy yasya for whom AaTmn> ˜tmana× in respect of the Self äü-av> brahmabh˜va× the identity (of the Self) with Brahman iv}at> vijñ˜ta× is known in a deep-rooted way ïute> blat! þrute× bal˜t as affirmed by the scriptures (and) -vbNx ivinmuRKt> bhavabandha vinirmukta× is completely free from the bondage of becoming ( transmigration) or conditioned existence s> sa× he (alone) jIvNmuKtl][>  
jŸvanmuktalakÿaõa× is the possessor of the indication of a 'jivan mukta' (liberated while living)
One who has realized that the Self is Brahman, affirmed by the scriptures and free from the bondage of becoming* (transmigration)---this is the indication of a jivan-mukta.
*Bondage of becoming (bavabandha). This is an important term in Indian philosophy and must be understood clearly. Hinduism takes the worldly existence (conditioned by time, space, and causality) as bondage. That is, the cycle of births and deaths is referred to as the ocean of samsara (bhavasaagar), i.e., ocean of repeated births and deaths and all that goes in between. To seek freedom from the bondage of becoming is considered to be the supreme end of life, the param-purushartha.

dehendriyeÿvahambh˜va idambh˜vastadanyake |
yasya no bhavata× kv˜pi sa jŸvanmukta iÿyate || 439||
ySy yasya (of) for whom deh #iNÔye;u deha indriyeÿu with regard to body and organs (sense-organs, organs of action, and the mind and intellect Ah<-av> ahambh˜va× an ego (I-sense) tdNyke tadanyake with regard to other's or other things #d<-av> idambh˜va× the concept of 'this' nae no not at all -vt> bhavata× both are Kv Aip kva api at any place (anywhere) even s> sa× he (alone) #:yte iÿyate is considered jIvNmuKt> jŸvanmukta× a jivanmukta (liberated-while-living)  
One who is free from the sense of ―I with regard to body, sense-organs etc., nor the concept of ―this with regard to other things, such a person is considered a jivan-mukta.

na pratyagbrahmaõorbhedaÕ kad˜pi brahmasargayo× |
prajñay˜ yo vij˜n˜ti sa jŸvanmuktalakÿaõa× || 440||
y> ya× he who à}ya prajñay˜ through Knowledge (illumination) àTyGäü[ae> -edm! pratyagbrahmaõo× bhedam the distinction between the Self and Brahman (and) äüsgRyae> brahmasargayo× (the distinction) between the creation (universe) and Brahman kdaip kad˜pi at any time even n na does not ivjanait vij˜n˜ti know at all s> sa× he (alone) jIvNmuKtl][> jŸvanmuktalakÿaõa× is the possessor of the indication of a 'jivan mukta' (liberated while living)
One who, through direct Knowledge, never sees any disctinction between the Self and Brahman and between the universe and Brahman, such a peson is considered to possess the marks of a jivan-mukta.

s˜dhubhi× p¨jyam˜ne'sminpŸýyam˜ne'pi durjanai× |
samabh˜vo bhavedyasya sa jŸvanmuktalakÿaõa× || 441||  
ySy yasya (of) for whom pUJymane p¨jyam˜ne eventhough worshipped AiSmn! asmin with regard to his body saxui-> s˜dhubhi× by the virtuous(for) ÊjRnE> durjanai× by the wicked pIf(mane Aip pŸýyam˜ne api even though tortured sm-av> samabh˜va× sameness of feeling -vet! bhavet would be there s> sa× he (alone) jIvNmuKtl][> jŸvanmuktalakÿaõa× is the possessor of the indication of a 'jivan mukta' (liberated while living)
One who feels the same when his body is adored by the virtuous or tortured by the wicked, is considered a jivan-mukta.

yatra praviÿ÷˜ viÿay˜× parerit˜
nadŸprav˜h˜ iva v˜rir˜þau |
lŸnanti sanm˜tratay˜ na vikriy˜Õ
utp˜dayantyeÿa yatirvimukta× || 442||
@;> eÿa× this (type of) person (alone) yit> yati× is Samnyasi, the master of senses (ascetic) or disciplined person ivmu> vimukta× (who is) liberated truly yatra in  
whom iv;ya> viÿay˜× the sense-objects pr $irta para Ÿrit˜ channeled or directed by others àivòa praviÿ÷˜ are entering #v iva like ndIàvaha nadŸprav˜h˜ the flowing rivers vairrazaE v˜rir˜þau into the ocean (and) lIniNt lŸnanti merging sNmaÇtya sanm˜tratay˜ because of (his) absorption in Existence Absolute n na but not %TpadyiNt utp˜dayanti producing ivi³yam! vikriy˜m any (undue) change
A disciplined person in whom the sense-objects directed by others are received like flowing rivers into the ocean, producing no change because of his absorption in Existence Absolute, is truly liberated.

vijñ˜tabrahmatattvasya yath˜p¨rvaÕ na saÕs®ti× |
asti cenna sa vijñ˜tabrahmabh˜vo bahirmukha× || 443||
iv}atäütÅvSy vijñ˜tabrahmatattvasya for him who has realized the existence of Brahman ywapUvRm! yath˜p¨rvam as before n na (there) is not s<s&it> saÕs®ti× reaching out for sense-objects cet! cet in case(if) AiSt asti there is (reaching out for sense-objects) s> sa× he n na  
not at all iv}atäü-av> vijñ˜tabrahmabh˜va× (then) one who has realized Brahman bihmuRo> bahirmukha× his senses still have an outgoing tendency.
For one who has realised the essence of Brahman, there is no reaching out for sense-objects any more. If there is, then one has not realized Brahman because the senses still have an outgoing tendency.

pr˜cŸnav˜san˜veg˜dasau saÕsaratŸti cet |
na sadekatvavijñ˜n˜nmandŸ bhavati v˜san˜ || 444||
AsaE asau this person(though realized) s<srit saÕsarati has (still) attachment for sense-objects àacIn vasna vegat! pr˜cŸna v˜san˜ veg˜t because of the momentum of past vasanas(impressions/tendencies) #it iti thus cet! cet if it is asserted n na (the reply is) No (for) vsna vasan˜ any vasana (impression/tendency) -vit bhavati becomes mNdI mandŸ weakened sdekTviv}anat! sadekatvavijñ˜n˜t when there is realization of oneness with Brahman
If it is asserted that still there is attachment for sense-objects because of the momentum of past vasanas*, the reply is, ―NO. For the vasanas get weakened when there is realization of oneness with Brahman.  
*residual impressions from previous lives.

 





Om Tat Sat
                                                        
(Continued...) 


(My humble salutations to the lotus feet of H H Sri Chinmayananda ji and
H H Sri Acharya Pranipata Chaitanya ji   for the collection)



0 comments: