उपदेशसाहस्री (आदि शङ्कराचार्य - गद्य व पद्य भाग)

248 A THOUSAND TEACHINGS [CHAP. XVIII
99, 100. Just as Brahmâ removed the Ignorance$^1$ of
the son of Dasaratha by means of words$^2$ only, but
did not teach him any action in order that he might
know that he was Vishnu; so, in order that one's Igno-
rance may be removed the Sruti, teaches one ‘Thou
art That’ when one has learnt the meanings of the
subordinate sentences$^3$ according to the Srutis$^4$ and
popular grammar.
अहंशब्दस्य निष्ठा या ज्योतिषि प्रत्यगात्मनि ।
सैवोक्ता सदसीत्येवं फलं तत्र विमुक्तता ॥ १०१ ॥
101. It is the indirectly expressed meaning of the
word ‘I’ viz., the innermost and self-luminous Self
which is expressed in the teaching, ‘Thou art That.’
And the result is liberation.$^5$
श्रुतमात्रेण चेन्न स्यात्कार्यं तत्र भवेद्ध्रुवम्
व्यवहारात्पुरापीष्टः सद्भावः स्वयमात्मनः ॥ १०२ ॥
102. It would surely be necessary to admit an injunc-
tion$^6$ if right knowledge were not produced immediately
when one was taught (that one was Brahman). The
$^1$ It was assumed by him out of his own accord in order to veil
his Powers for some time.
$^2$ The words are :—you are Vishnu and not the son of Dasaratha.
$^3$ E.g., Existence, Knowledge, Unlimited Brahman. See Tai.
U., 2. 1.
$^4$ And thus has learnt the meaning implied by the word ‘I’.
$^5$ When the knowledge, ‘I am Brahman’ arises on being taught
‘Thou art That.’
$^6$ E.g., an injunction regarding the mental repetition of the idea.
‘I am Brahman’. See verses 9—18 of this chapter to which this is
a reply.