________________
304
VIVEKACUDAMAŅI
tasya niśćeşatayā vināśa eva: its complete destruction only even without a trace.
eva in tasyaiva should go with vināśa as vināśa eva, destruction only.
Then. brahmätmabhāvah, the idea that the ātman is Brahman, is free from hindrance.
TL
Otherwise, so long as there is wrong understanding the realisation of the ātman as the unlimited Brahman is not easy.
303 To the question: how to bring about the destruction of that ahamkāra, it is replied:
ब्रह्मानन्दनिधिः महाबलवताऽहंकारघोराहिना
संवेष्ट्यात्मनि रक्ष्यते गुणमयश्चण्डैस्त्रिभिर्मस्तकैः। विज्ञानाख्यमहासिना द्युतिमता विच्छिद्य शीर्षवयं
निर्मूल्याहिमिमं निधि सुखकरं धीरोऽनुभोक्तुं क्षमः॥३०३ ॥ brahmānandanidhir mahābalavatā'hankāraghorāhinā samveștyātmani raksyate gunamayaiścandaistribhir
mastakaihi vijñānākhyamahäsinā dyūtimatā vicchidya śīrşatrayam nirmūlyāhimimam nidhim sukhakaram
dhīro'nubhoktum kşamaḥ 11. The treasure of the bliss of Brahman is guarded by a very powerful terrible serpent called ahamkāra coiling round it with its three fierce hoods. The brave (wise) one should cut asunder the three heads with the great and sharp sword of wisdom and, destroying this serpent, enjoy this treasure which makes for bliss.
For easy understanding, a dramatic illustration is given. Brahmānanda itself is a treasure like a treasure of gold.
mahābalavatā: of great strength which has been acquired firmly by drinking the milk of sense-objects.
ahamkāra itself is the fierce serpent.
guramayaih candaih tribhīḥ mastakaiņ: by the three terrible heads (hoods) forming the three guņas of sattva, rajas and tamas.
ātmani: existing in itself. samveștya: having coiled round.
