Shloka 18
Adhyāya 249 — Mṛtyu-prādurbhāvaḥ (The Manifestation of Death) / Restraint of Tejas and Ordered Saṃhāra
धैर्यशशाली, मनीषी और तत्त्वज्ञानी लोग जिस नदीको पार करते हैं, उसे तुम भी तैर जाओ। सब प्रकारके बन्धनोंसे मुक्त, संयतचित्त, आत्मज्ञ और पवित्र हो जाओ। उत्तम बुद्धि (ज्ञान) का आश्रय ले तुम सब प्रकारके सांसारिक बन्धनोंसे छूट जाओगे और निष्पाप एवं प्रसन्नचित्त हो ब्रह्मभावको प्राप्त हो जाओगे ।।
dhairyaśālī manīṣī ca tattvajñānī janāḥ nadīṃ yāṃ taranti tāṃ tvam api plavajāhi | sarvabandhavinirmuktaḥ saṃyatacitta ātmavit pavitro bhava | uttamabuddhim (jñānam) āśritya sarvasaṃsārabandhanebhyaḥ pramokṣyase niṣpāpaḥ prasannacitto brahmabhāvaṃ prāpsyasi || bhūmiṣṭhānīva bhūtāni parvatastho niśāmaya | akrudhyann aprahṛṣyaṃś ca na nṛśaṃsamatistathā ||
Vyāsa said: “The river that the steadfast, discerning, and truth-knowing cross—cross that same river yourself. Become free from every kind of bondage: self-controlled in mind, a knower of the Self, and purified. Taking refuge in the highest intelligence—true knowledge—you will be released from all worldly ties; sinless and serene in heart, you will attain the state of Brahman. And just as a man standing on a mountain peak clearly sees all creatures dwelling on the earth below, so you too, having ascended the rocky summit of knowledge, look upon the conditions of all beings. Be without anger and without elation, and let your understanding be free from cruelty.”
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
Cultivate liberating knowledge and inner discipline: free yourself from attachments, steady the mind, know the Self, and remain pure. From that basis, maintain equanimity—neither anger nor elation—and abandon cruelty of intention; then one becomes fit to transcend saṃsāra and attain brahmabhāva.
Vyāsa instructs the listener through two linked metaphors: crossing a river (the passage beyond worldly bondage) and standing on a mountain peak (the vantage of knowledge). From this higher standpoint, one observes all beings impartially, without reactive emotions, and with a non-harmful disposition.