Shloka 27
Mind as Charioteer; Kṣetrajña, Tapas, and Dhyāna-Yoga
Adhyātma-Upadeśa
नावा चापि यथा प्राज्ञो विभागज्ञः स्वरित्रया । अश्रान्त: सलिले गच्छेच्छीघ्रं संतरते हृदम्
nāvā cāpi yathā prājño vibhāgajñaḥ svaritrayā | aśrāntaḥ salile gacchec chīghraṃ saṃtarate hṛdam ||
Vāyu sprach: „Wie ein weiser Mann—kundig darin, die Fahrwasser und Strömungsarme des Wasserwegs zu unterscheiden—auf den Wassern ohne Ermüdung in einem gut geruderten Boot reist und rasch die weite Strecke überquert, so überschreitet auch der Einsichtige den Ozean des weltlichen Daseins; und hat er das ferne Ufer erreicht, lässt er die Anhaftung selbst an die Mittel fahren, die ihn hinübertrugen.“
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches non-attachment to instruments and supports once their purpose is fulfilled: as a traveler abandons possessiveness toward the boat after crossing, a wise person relinquishes clinging to prior aids and accomplishments after transcending worldly bondage.
Vāyudeva is instructing through an analogy: a skilled, intelligent traveler crosses a vast water expanse swiftly using a well-oared boat; likewise, one crosses the ‘ocean’ of worldly life by appropriate means and then lets go of attachment to those means upon reaching the goal.