उपदेशसाहस्री (आदि शङ्कराचार्य - गद्य व पद्य भाग)

2-8] INTRODUCTION 81
5. The cessation¹ of Ignorance² is desirable as
it is the root of this transmigratory existence. Hence
a delineation of the knowledge of Brahman through
which comes liberation (from Ignorance) is com-
menced.³
विद्यैवाज्ञानहानाय न कर्माप्रतिकूलतः ।
नाज्ञानस्याप्रहाणे हि रागद्वेषक्षयो भवेत् ॥ ६ ॥
रागद्वेषक्षयाभावे कर्म दोषोद्भवं ध्रुवम् ।
तस्मान्निःश्रेयसार्थाय विद्यैवात्र विधीयते ॥ ७ ॥
6, 7. Not being incompatible with Ignorance actions
do not destroy it; it is knowledge alone that does it.
Ignorance not being destroyed, the destruction of desire
and aversion is not possible. Actions⁴ caused by impuri-
ties⁵ are sure to follow in case desire and aversion
are not removed. Knowledge alone, therefore, is taught
here⁶ so that liberation (from Ignorance) may be accom-
plished.
ननु कर्म तथा नित्यं कर्तव्यं जीवने सति ।
विद्यायाः सहकारित्वं मोक्षं प्रति हि तद् व्रजेत् ॥ ८ ॥
8. (Objection) Obligatory duties should be performed
(along with the practice of knowledge) as long as life
lasts,⁷ because these duties co-operate with Knowledge
in producing liberation.⁸
¹ Just as a snake ceases to exist immediately on one's having the
knowledge of the rope in a rope-snake. ² Primeval Ignorance veil-
ing Brahman. ³ In the Upanishats. ⁴ Efforts of the body, the
mind and speech. ⁵ Desire, aversion and delusion. ⁶ In the
Upanishats. ⁷ Îsh. U., 2. ⁸ Objection, verses 8—11 (line 1).
6