Shloka 40

Adhyaya 37 — Alarka’s Crisis and the Teaching on Non-Attachment (Madālasa’s Instruction Recalled)

Sanskrit

न यस्य हस्तादिकमप्यशेषं मांसं न चास्थीनि खिराविभागः ।

कस्तस्य नागाश्वरथादिकोशैः स्वल्पोऽपि सम्बन्ध इहास्ति पुंसः ॥

Transliteration

na yasya hastādikam apy aśeṣaṃ māṃsaṃ na cāsthīni khirā-vibhāgaḥ | kas tasya nāgāśva-rathādi-kośaiḥ svalpo ’pi sambandha ihāsti puṃsaḥ ||

Translation

Für den, dem selbst Hände und dergleichen nicht das Selbst sind—weder Fleisch noch Knochen noch Glieder—welche Verbindung, auch nur die geringste, kann er hier mit Elefanten, Pferden, Wagen, Schatzkammern und dergleichen haben?

Word by Word

nanot

yasyawhose

hastādikamhand etc. (limbs and the like)

apieven

aśeṣamentire, without remainder

māṃsamflesh

nanot

caand

asthīnibones

khirāvibhāgaḥdivision/portioning of 'khirā' (as read)

kaḥwho/what (which)

tasyaof him

nāgāśvarathādikośaiḥwith treasuries/resources of elephants, horses, chariots, etc.

svalpaḥsmall, slight

apieven

sambandhaḥconnection, relation

ihahere

astiis/exists

puṃsaḥof a man/person

Speakers

Philosophical speaker within the dialogue (Advaitic self-inquiry voice; exact named speaker not provided in the excerpt)

Verse Rasa

{ "primaryRasa": "shanta", "secondaryRasa": "vairagya", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

Key Themes

Non-ownershipWorldly power as externalBody negationVairāgya

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

If one is not the body, then possessions and power-systems tied to the body (army, wealth) cannot be ‘mine’ in any ultimate sense—reducing pride and conflict.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana (5 characteristics)?

Ethico-philosophical counsel; not pañcalakṣaṇa.

What is the esoteric significance?

Elephants/horses/treasury represent the apparatus of worldly sovereignty. The verse cuts the root assumption of ownership by denying bodily identity.