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VIVEKACŪDĀMANI
 
higher than this is crudition in the scriptures; discrimina-
tion between the Self and not-Self, Realization, and con-
tinuing in a state of identity with Brahman-these come
next in order. (This kind of) mukti (liberation) is not to
be attained except through the well-earned merits of a
hundred crore of births.
 
2
 
दुर्लभं त्रयमेवैतद्देवानुग्रहहेतुकम् ।
 
मनुष्यत्वं मुमुक्षुत्वं महापुरुषसंश्रयः ॥ ३ ॥
 
3. These are three things which are rare indeed and
are due to the grace of God-namely a human birth, the
longing for liberation, and the protecting care of a per-
fected sage.
 
लब्ध्वा कथंचिन्नरजन्म दुर्लभं
तत्रापि पुंस्त्वं श्रुतिपारदर्शनम् ।
यस्त्वात्ममुक्ती न यतेत मूढधीः
स ह्यात्महा स्वं विनिहन्त्यसद्ग्रहात् ॥ ४ ॥
 
4. The man who, having by some means obtained a
human birth, with a male body and mastery of the Vedas
to boot, is foolish enough not to exert himself for self-
liberation, verily commits suicide, for he kills himself by
clinging to things unreal.
 
[IA mule body- Because men, in addition to their physical advan
tages, have always enjoyed certain social advantages as well over women.]
 
इत: को न्वस्ति मूढात्मा यस्तु स्वार्थे प्रमाद्यति ।
दुर्लभं मानुषं देहं प्राप्य तत्रापि पौरुषम् ॥ ५ ॥