Shloka 15
Bhūta-guṇa-saṃkhyāna
Enumeration of the Properties of the Elements and Cognitive Faculties
जो दुष्कर्मपरायण और अशुद्ध अन्तःकरणवाले हैं, वे अज्ञानी पुरुष अन्यायपूर्वक मनोवाञ्छित विषयोंमें विचरनेवाली इन्ट्रियोंद्वारा आत्माका दर्शन नहीं कर सकते ।।
ye duṣkarmaparāyaṇā aśuddhāntaḥkaraṇā ajñāninaḥ puruṣā anyāyapūrvakaṃ manovāñchitaviṣayeṣu vicarantībhir indriyaiḥ ātmadarśanaṃ na śaknuvanti | teṣāṃ tu manasā raśmīn yadā samyak niyacchati | tadā prakāśate 'syātmā dīpadīptā yathākṛtiḥ ||
Those who are devoted to wrongdoing, whose inner instrument is impure, and who lack true discernment cannot behold the Self through senses that roam unjustly among desired objects. But when a person, by the mind, firmly restrains the reins of the senses and brings them under proper control, then the Self becomes manifest in the light of knowledge—just as the form of an object is clearly seen by the illumination of a lamp.
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
Self-realization is blocked by immoral conduct and inner impurity; when the mind restrains the senses like reins controlling horses, the Self becomes clearly manifest, as an object is seen by lamplight.
Vyāsa is instructing on the conditions for perceiving the Ātman: he contrasts the unrestrained, desire-driven life that cannot yield inner vision with disciplined control of the senses that reveals the Self through the light of knowledge.