Shloka 5
Jñāna-plava (The Raft of Knowledge): Svabhāva, Prajñā, and the Ascent to Ātmajñāna
देवल उवाच न प्रीयसे वन्द्यमानो निन्द्यमानो न कुप्यसे । का ते प्रज्ञा कुतश्चैषा कि ते तस्था: परायणम्
devala uvāca na prīyase vandyamāno nindyāmāno na kupyase | kā te prajñā kutaś caiṣā kiṃ te tasyāḥ parāyaṇam ||
Devala said: “When you are honored, you do not become pleased; when you are criticized, you do not grow angry. What is this wisdom of yours? From where has it arisen, and what is the highest refuge and final ground of that understanding?”
देवल उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ideal of inner steadiness: a wise person remains even-minded, not elated by praise nor disturbed by blame. It points toward self-mastery and a deeper grounding of wisdom beyond social approval.
Devala addresses a sage whose calm does not change under honor or insult. He questions the source of this unusual composure and asks what ultimate principle or refuge supports such wisdom.