Section 2 — (Verses 25–48)
Short introduction to Part 2
Verses 25–48 complete the chapter: they consolidate method, metaphors, and the living implications of realization — the disappearance of dualities, how knowledge transforms action, and the final injunctions for steady abiding. The class notes present extended commentary and metaphors to anchor experiential understanding. Click Here To Access more other text.
All verses (33–65) — Translation + concise deep commentary
Verse 25 — Even in ignorance the Self is eternal. Click view PDF.
Translation: Ignorance is accidental; the Self is the permanent substratum.
Commentary: Don’t treat ignorance as ontological; it is removable. Click Verses.
Verse 26 — Means to knowledge are śravaṇa, manana, nididhyāsana.
Translation: Listening, reflection and meditation are the method to realize the Self.
Commentary: This establishes the canonical Vedāntic method — use it consistently. Click Verses.
Verse 27 — Rejecting the irrelevant for clarity.
Translation: Discard what cannot be the Self (bodies, instruments, objects).
Commentary: Neti-neti (not-this, not-this) style of inquiry is recommended. Click Verses.
Verse 28 — Affirming the Self once negations are complete.
Translation: After rejecting non-Self, rest in the positive “I am.”
Commentary: Balance negation with positive affirmation — rest in presence. Click Verses.
Verse 29 — Self is self-evident; no instrument needed.
Translation: The Self is the light for itself and all else.
Commentary: This removes the need for external proof; practice introspective certainty. Click Verses.
Verse 30 — The Self cannot be objectified. Click view PDF.
Translation: Any attempt to objectify the Self makes it into an object — impossible.
Commentary: Rest in subjectivity; refuse to turn awareness into a content. Click Verses.
Verse 31 — The wise are not disturbed by life’s changes. Click view PDF.
Translation: The realized one remains equanimous amid joy and sorrow.
Commentary: Goal of study: inner equanimity that survives events. Click Verses.
Verse 32 — The Self is untouched by the mind’s modifications.
Translation: Thoughts appear and pass but cannot bind the Self.
Commentary: Practice witnessing thoughts rather than identifying — practical nididhyāsana pointer. Click Verses.
Verse 33 — The Self is not known by senses.
Translation: Senses and instruments cannot know the Self.
Commentary: Emphasize turning inward; sense-based approaches won’t reveal the Self. Click Verses.
Verse 34 — Ignorance is beginningless but removable.
Translation: Ignorance has no beginning in time but it can be destroyed by knowledge.
Commentary: Do not despair because ignorance is faintable by right method. Click Verses.
Verse 35 — Knowledge is sure remover like the sun dispels darkness. Click view PDF.
Translation: Knowledge eradicates ignorance as sunlight dispels darkness.
Commentary: Cultivate confidence in the effectiveness of jñāna. Click Verses.
Verse 36 — The mind must be purified to receive knowledge. Click view PDF.
Translation: Sattvic tendencies favor the dawn of knowledge; impurities obstruct it.
Commentary: Support intellectual insight with ethical and meditative purification. Click Verses.
Verse 37 — Anvaya-vyatireka (positive and negative inference) method.
Translation: Use inference both by presence and absence to know the Self.
Commentary: Analytical reasoning strengthens direct intuition. Click Verses.
Verse 38 — Mahāvākya (great sayings) support the teaching.
Translation: Self-revealing scriptural aphorisms (like “Tat Tvam Asi”) point the way.
Commentary: Use Mahāvākyas as pointers in meditation, not mere quotations. Click Verses.
Verse 39 — The teacher and the scripture as aids.
Translation: Guru and śāstra guide the seeker to apperceptive knowledge.
Commentary: Seek qualified instruction and authentic texts. Click Verses.
Verse 40 — The one who realises becomes free even while living. Click view PDF.
Translation: One who knows the Self is liberated (jīvanmukta) and remains so.
Commentary: This is not theoretical; freedom is compatible with activity. Click Verses.
Verse 41 — Doer/enjoyer notion disappears in the realised. Click view PDF.
Translation: The triad knower/known/knowledge dissolves in the Self.
Commentary: Encourage practice aimed at dissolving these distinctions experientially. Click Verses.
Verse 42 — The lamp of knowledge is to be kindled.
Translation: Start the inner fire of jñāna to burn up ignorance.
Commentary: Practical instruction: steady contemplation + inquiry is the rubbing together. Click Verses.
Verse 43 — Obstacles to knowledge enumerated.
Translation: Attachment, wrong knowledge, lethargy obstruct.
Commentary: Identify and remove these obstacles (viveka, śama, dama, etc.). Click Verses.
Verse 44 — Encourage perseverance. Click view PDF.
Translation: Persist in study and meditation until abiding is certainty.
Commentary: Realisation is rarely instantaneous; steady, patient practice required. Click Verses.
Verse 45 — Doubt must be removed by reasoning.
Translation: Mano-nasha (destruction of the mind’s doubts) happens by reflection.
Commentary: Use manana to dissolve subtle objections. Click Verses.
Verse 46 — One should not be intellectual only. Click view PDF.
Translation: Mere book-learning without contemplation yields no liberation.
Commentary: Combine śravaṇa with nididhyāsana for inner assimilation. Click Verses.
Verse 47 — When knowledge is firm, attachments fall away.
Translation: The rising sun of knowledge dries the dew of attachment.
Commentary: Expect natural transformation, not forced renunciation. Click Verses.
Verse 48 — The liberated one is a mine of kindness and peace.
Translation: Realized beings are naturally compassionate and unaffected by scarcity.
Commentary: Study the traits of realized people as confirmation of the teaching. Click Verses.
Click Here To Panchadasi – Chapter 1 Class Notes – Volume 3 – Section 3
