Shloka 24

The Episode of Vena: Purification, the ‘Vāsudevābhidhā’ Hymn, and the Dharma of Charity

Times, Tīrthas, Worthy Recipients

Devanagari script

तुरीयोऽहं निर्विकारी गुणावस्थाविवर्जितः । निर्लिप्तः साक्षिवद्विश्व प्रतिबिंबित विग्रहः

Transliteration

turīyo'haṃ nirvikārī guṇāvasthāvivarjitaḥ | nirliptaḥ sākṣivadviśva pratibiṃbita vigrahaḥ

Translation

Ich bin der Vierte, Turīya: unveränderlich und frei von allen Zuständen der Guṇas. Unbefleckt stehe ich als Zeuge; meine Gestalt erscheint im Universum wie ein Spiegelbild.

Word by Word

तुरीयःthe fourth (state)

अहम्I

निर्विकारीunchanging

गुणावस्थाविवर्जितःfree from the states of the guṇas

निर्लिप्तःuntainted

साक्षिवत्like a witness

विश्वthe universe

प्रतिबिंबितःreflected

विग्रहःform/body

Speaker

Not specified in the provided excerpt (context needed from surrounding verses)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: तुरीयोऽहम् = तुरीयः + अहम्; साक्षिवद्विश्व = साक्षिवत् + विश्व (त् + व → द्व् sandhi).

FAQs

What does this verse teach about Turiya (the Fourth state)?

It identifies the Self as Turiya—beyond waking, dreaming, and deep sleep—unchanging and not conditioned by the three guṇas.

How does the verse describe the Self’s relationship to the universe?

The Self is described as a witness (sākṣin), unstained by phenomena, while the universe appears as a reflection in relation to that consciousness.

What ethical or practical lesson follows from being 'nirlipta' (unstained)?

It encourages inner detachment: act in the world without clinging, recognizing experiences as passing conditions rather than the true Self.