Shloka 56
Brahmā’s Instruction on Brahmacarya, Vānaprastha, and the Aliṅga Path
Ethics of Non-attachment
एतावदन्तवेलायां परिसंख्याय तत्त्ववित्,जो तत्त्ववेत्ता अन्त समयमें इन तत्त्वोंका ज्ञान प्राप्त करके एकान्तमें बैठकर परमात्माका ध्यान करता है, वह आकाशमें विचरनेवाले वायुकी भाँति सब प्रकारकी आसक्तियोंसे छूटकर पञ्चकोशोंसे रहित, निर्भय तथा निराश्रय होकर मुक्त एवं परमात्माको प्राप्त हो जाता है
etāvad antavelāyāṃ parisaṅkhyāya tattvavit | yo tattvavettā anta-samaye ime tattvāni jñātvā ekānte niṣaṇṇaḥ paramātmānaṃ dhyāyati sa ākāśe vicarato vāyor iva sarva-prakārābhisaṅgāt pramucyate pañca-kośa-vivarjitaḥ nirbhayaḥ nirāśrayaś ca san muktaḥ paramātmānaṃ prāpnoti |
Dijo el dios Vāyu: «Así, en la hora postrera, el conocedor de la realidad—tras haber contado y comprendido con cuidado estos principios—se sienta en soledad y medita en el Supremo Sí mismo. Como el viento que se mueve libre por el cielo, queda suelto de toda clase de apego; trascendiendo las cinco envolturas, sin temor y sin apoyo, se libera y alcanza al Supremo Sí mismo».
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
At the time of death, one who has understood the fundamental principles (tattvas) should withdraw into solitude and meditate on the Supreme Self. Such contemplation, coupled with complete detachment, leads beyond the five sheaths of embodied existence to fearlessness and liberation—attainment of Paramātman.
Vāyu-deva is instructing about the final spiritual discipline: the truth-knower, having reflected on the tattvas, sits alone and meditates on the Supreme. The verse uses the simile of wind moving in the sky to depict freedom from attachments and the liberated state.