8.11 yad akṣaraṁ veda-vido vadanti (Original)

SrI:  SrImathE SatakOpAya nama:  SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama:  SrImath varavaramunayE nama:

Chapter 8

<< Chapter 8 verse 10

Simple

yad akṣaraṁ veda-vido vadanti
viśanti yad yatayo vīta-rāgāḥ
yad icchanto brahma-caryaṁ caranti
tat te padaṁ saṅgraheṇa pravakṣye

‘That Way will I now briefly declare to thee, which the Veda-wise declare as that of Akshara (imperishable); which, the desire-weaned Yatis enter;, which to tread, aspirants lead the life of Brahma-charya[2. Chastity or continence. See Note 2, verse 6.14. Those who would find their soul, should strictly lead an ascetic life. Unless vital energies are conserved and re-absorbed into the system, Self-illumination is not easily accomplished. Even the atomic philosopher Democritus did not approve of a man’s marrying and getting children. He used to say also, that the pleasure of love was a slight epilepsy. Newton had not time to think of marriage. ‘It is good for a man not to touch a woman (I Cor., VII.1) “… have made themselves eunuchs for the Kingdom of heavens` sake”. (Matt., XIX. 12), vide, p:92, Engl. Tr: Tatva-trayā by Yogi Pārthasārathi.].’

That other Path, the Path which is for those who would find their soul, and secure isolation (Kaivalya-moksha), I will briefly explain.

That Path is the Path of Akshara, or the imperishable, described as:—

‘Not gross etc.’ (Br: Up. V-8-8)[3. Sāhovācha-itad vai tad Aksharam Gargi! brāhmaṇa abhivadanty-asthūlam anaṇv-ahrasvam &c.], by the versed in the Vedas.

It is that, which the Yatis (or renouncers of the world, attempt to enter.

It is that, hungering for which, men keep the vow of Brahma-charya[4. Chastity or continence. See Note 2, verse 6.14. Those who would find their soul, should strictly lead an ascetic life. Unless vital energies are conserved and re-absorbed into the system, Self-illumination is not easily accomplished. Even the atomic philosopher Democritus did not approve of a man’s marrying and getting children. He used to say also, that the pleasure of love was a slight epilepsy. Newton had not time to think of marriage. ‘It is good for a man not to touch a woman (I Cor., VII.1) “… have made themselves eunuchs for the Kingdom of heavens` sake”. (Matt., XIX. 12), vide, p:92, Engl. Tr: Tatva-trayā by yogi Parthasārathi.].

Padam=Path or Way, or that by which one mentally proceeds and gains his object. Padyate=gamyate or that which is followed, or the method adopted by the mind.

The import is this: ‘I give thee a short description of the method by which, the soul-seeker (kaivaly-ārthi) has to meditate on Me to achieve the end he has in view, viz., the meditating on Me in the aspect of the Akshara (the Imperishable etc., as described in the Bṛihad-āranyak-Upanishad, V-8-8 to 11).

>> Chapter 8 verses 12-13

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