Chapter 8, Verse 11
Akshara Brahma Yoga — Sanskrit shloka, transliteration, word meanings, English translation, and commentary.
Original Sanskrit verse
Transliteration
Word meanings
yat—which; akṣharam—Imperishable; veda-vidaḥ—scholars of the Vedas; vadanti—describe; viśhanti—enter; yat—which; yatayaḥ—great ascetics; vīta-rāgāḥ—free from attachment; yat—which; ichchhantaḥ—desiring; brahmacharyam—celibacy; charanti—practice; tat—that; te—to you; padam—goal; saṅgraheṇa—briefly; pravakṣhye—I shall explain
English translation
That which is declared to be Imperishable by those who know the Vedas, that which the self-controlled (ascetics or Sannyasins) and passion-free enter, that goal, desiring which celibacy is practised, I will declare to thee in brief.
— Swami Sivananda
Listen to Shloka 8.11
Commentary
The Supreme Being which is symbolised by the sacred monosyllable Om or the Pranava is the highest step or the supreme goal of man. The same ideas are expressed in the Kathopanishad. Yama (the God of Death) said to Nachiketas; The goal which all the Vedas speak of; which all penances proclaim and wishing for which they lead the life of celibacy; that goal (world) I will briefly tell thee. It is Om. Satyakama the son of Sibi estioned Pippalada; O Bhagavan; if some one among men meditates here until death on the syllable Om; what world does he obtain by that Pippalada replied; O Satyakama; the syllable Om is indeed the higher and the lower Brahman. He who meditates on the higher Purusha with this syllable Om of three Matras (units) is led up by the Samaverses to the Brahmaloka or the world of Brahma. (Prasnopanishad)Pranava or Om is considered either as an expression of the Supreme Self or Its symbol like anidol (Pratika). It serves persons of dull and middling intellects as a means for realising the Supreme Self. Chant Om three times at the commencement of your meditation you will find concentration of mind easier.
Commentary by Swami Sivananda
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