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