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VIVEKACŪDAMAŅI
113
6. avidyā: 7. kāmaḥ: 8. karma:
adhyāsa, super-imposition desire action of the nature of dharma and adharma.
99
The sloka clearly conveys that the sūksma śarīra (subtle body) is not the ātman as it is composed of a number of things and because whatever is a combination is like a house intended only for another.
इदं शरीरं शृणु सूक्ष्मसंज्ञितं लिङ्गं त्वपञ्चीकृतभूतसंभवम् । सवासनं कर्मफलानुभावकं स्वाज्ञानतो नादिरुपाधिरात्मनः ॥१९॥ idam śarīram śşņu sūkşma samjñitam
lingam tvapañcikrta bhūtasambhavam savāsanam karmaphalānubhāvakam
svānānato'nādirupādhirtmanaḥ 11
Listen! This which is called the subtle body (sūksma śarira), is also known as the linga sarira. It arises from the elements which have not undergone the process of pañcikarana. It is made up of the residual tendencies of past desires. It is the experiencer of the fruits of actions. It is begnningless limitation on the ātman due to its own nescience.
This body bears the appellation of sūksma. Being what is produced, it does not have the form of the eternal ātman. (For, what is produced is liable to destruction). It arises from the elements prthvi, ap, tejas, vāyu and ākāśa-earth, water, fire, air and etherwhich have not been split into five parts (apañcikstabhūtasambhavam).
liñgam: linga' is derived from the root 'ligi' which means what reminds. The lingaśarira puts one in mind of the ātman. The karmendriyās (organs of action) like vāk etc., are insentient entities (jada): they cannot function unless directed by an agency acting through them. For, what is lifeless acts only under the stimulus of a living body as seen in a chariot etc. So, this sūksma śarīra which is made up of external and internal organs is spoken of as linga, iie., what reminds of the controller or adhişthātņ).
tu in 'lingam tu' is intended to lay emphasis.
V.C.-9