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.