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126
 
VIVEKACŪDĀMANI
 
[1Once etc. - The allusion is to the hot-axe test applied in ancient
times to persons charged with theft etc. An axe would be made red-hot
and the accused person would be asked to hold it in his hand. If the hand
was not burnt, it was a proof that he was innocent, but if it was burnt, he
would be convicted and subjected to the usual punishments. The Chan-
dogya Upanişad, VI. xvi. makes use of such a parable, to which the
present éloka refers.]
 
यतिरसदनुसन्धि बन्धहेतुं विहाय
स्वयमयमहमस्मीत्यात्मदृष्टचैव तिष्ठेत् ।
सुखयति ननु निष्ठा ब्रह्मणि स्वानुभूत्या
हरति परमविद्याकार्यदुःखं प्रतीतम् ॥ ३३३ ॥
 
333. The Sannyāsin should give up dwelling on the
unreal, which causes bondage, and should always fix his
thoughts on the ātman as "I myself am This". For
steadfastness in Brahman through the realization of one's
identity with It gives rise to bliss and thoroughly removes
the misery. born of nescience, which one experiences (in
the ignorant state).
 
वाह्यानुसन्धि: परिवर्धयेत्फलं
दुर्वासनामेव ततस्ततोऽधिकाम् ।
ज्ञात्वा विवेकैः परिहृत्य बाह्यं
 
स्वात्मानुसन्धि विदधीत नित्यम् ॥ ३३४ ॥
 
334. The dwelling on external objects will only intensify
its fruits, viz. furthering evil propensities, which grow worse
and worse. Knowing this through discrimination, one
should avoid external objects and constantly apply oneself
to meditation on the Ātman.