Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
विषस्य विषयाणाञ्च दूरमत्यन्तमन्तरम् ।
उपभुक्तं विषं हन्ति विषयाः स्मरणादपि ॥
Transliteration:
viṣasya viṣayāṇāñca dūramatyantamantaram ।
upabhuktaṃ viṣaṃ hanti viṣayāḥ smaraṇādapi ॥
Meaning of the subhAShita:
The disparity between 'viṣa' (poison) and 'viṣaya' (object of sense) is enormous. viṣa kills on consumption; viṣaya kills just by reminiscing.
Commentary:
In Sanskrit, the words for 'poison' and 'objects of sense', sound almost similar. Poison is called viṣa, while sense objects are called viṣaya. The disparity in pronunciation is, after all, only one syllable. However, their attributes have a ginormous divergence! They couldn't differ from each other more.
Viṣa kills upon consumption. One can safely hold it, see it, hear about it, or sometimes smell it. It kills only when tasted. Viṣaya, on the contrary, kills at the very recollection or thought of it!! For example, if one thinks of a piece of jewelry, he does not have to touch it, see it, hold it, or hear the details about it. The very thought can entrap the person in its grasp! If his vāsanas (inherent tendencies) are such, then his entire day, week, or years can go by, because he can get caught up in acquiring that piece of ornament. Such is the power of sense objects. Even without being physically present in front of the person, it can take him through a vicious trap with barely any outlet. Hence, the poet says, viṣayas are far more hazardous than poison even!!
Let not materials possess you in your quest to possess materials. Viṣaya is a distraction from true bliss! Find your way to your bliss by shunning sense pleasures.
pada vigrahaH:
विषस्य विषयाणां च दूरम् अत्यन्तम् अन्तरम् ।
viṣasya viṣayāṇāṃ ca dūram atyantam antaram ।
उपभुक्तं विषं हन्ति विषयाः स्मरणात् अपि ॥
upabhuktaṃ viṣaṃ hanti viṣayāḥ smaraṇāt api ॥
Viṣa kills upon consumption. One can safely hold it, see it, hear about it, or sometimes smell it. It kills only when tasted. Viṣaya, on the contrary, kills at the very recollection or thought of it!! For example, if one thinks of a piece of jewelry, he does not have to touch it, see it, hold it, or hear the details about it. The very thought can entrap the person in its grasp! If his vāsanas (inherent tendencies) are such, then his entire day, week, or years can go by, because he can get caught up in acquiring that piece of ornament. Such is the power of sense objects. Even without being physically present in front of the person, it can take him through a vicious trap with barely any outlet. Hence, the poet says, viṣayas are far more hazardous than poison even!!
Let not materials possess you in your quest to possess materials. Viṣaya is a distraction from true bliss! Find your way to your bliss by shunning sense pleasures.
pada vigrahaH:
विषस्य विषयाणां च दूरम् अत्यन्तम् अन्तरम् ।
viṣasya viṣayāṇāṃ ca dūram atyantam antaram ।
उपभुक्तं विषं हन्ति विषयाः स्मरणात् अपि ॥
upabhuktaṃ viṣaṃ hanti viṣayāḥ smaraṇāt api ॥
viShasya viShayaaNaa~ncha dUramatyantamantaram ।
upabhuktaM viShaM hanti viShayaaH smaraNaadapi ॥
viShasya viShayaaNaaM cha dUram atyantam antaram ।
upabhuktaM viShaM hanti viShayaaH smaraNaat api ॥
This verse has the power to deliver Jeevan Mukti, Nirvana, Ultimate Freedom and Liberty.
ReplyDeleteVery true! So simple yet so difficult to practice diligently.
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