________________
134
VIVEKACHUDAMANI
302. The treasure of the Bliss of Brahman is coiled round by the mighty deadly serpent of egoism, and guarded for its own use by means of its three fierce hoods consisting of the three Gunas. Only the wise man, destroying it by severing its three hoods with the great sword of realisation in accordance with the teachings of the Srutis, can enjoy this treasure which confers bliss.
[ In this Sloka egoism is compared to a three-headed snake. Sattva, Rajas and Tamas-balance, activity and inertia-are spoken of as its three hoods. The way to destroy it is through realisation. When egoism is gone, one is conscious of his real nature as Brahman. The appropriateness of the metaphors is obvious. In
यावद्वा यत्किञ्चिद्विषदोषस्फूर्तिरस्ति चेहेहे । कथमारोग्याय भवेत्तद्वदहन्तापि योगिनो मुक्तये ॥ ३०३॥
303. As long as there is a trace of poisoning left in the body, how can one hope for recovery? Similar is the effect of egoism on the Yogi's Liberation.
अहमोऽत्यन्तनिवृत्या तत्कृतनानाविकल्पसंहृत्या । प्रत्यक्तत्वविवेकादिदमहमस्मीति विन्दते तत्वम् ॥ ३०४॥
304. Through the complete cessation of egoism, through the stoppage of the diverse mental waves' due to it, and through the dis
http://www.Apnihindi.com