Shloka 8
Kapila’s Devotional Sāṅkhya: Sādhu-saṅga, Bhakti-yoga, and Fearlessness in the Supreme Shelter
तस्य त्वं तमसोऽन्धस्य दुष्पारस्याद्य पारगम् । सच्चक्षुर्जन्मनामन्ते लब्धं मे त्वदनुग्रहात् ॥ ८ ॥
tasya tvaṁ tamaso ’ndhasya duṣpārasyādya pāragam sac-cakṣur janmanām ante labdhaṁ me tvad-anugrahāt
Ô Seigneur primordial, Toi seul peux me faire franchir cette ténèbre aveugle et difficile à traverser. Tu es mon œil véritable; après d’innombrables naissances, c’est uniquement par Ta grâce que je T’ai obtenu.
This verse is very instructive, since it indicates the relationship between the spiritual master and the disciple. The disciple or conditioned soul is put into this darkest region of ignorance and therefore is entangled in the material existence of sense gratification. It is very difficult to get out of this entanglement and attain freedom, but if one is fortunate enough to get the association of a spiritual master like Kapila Muni or His representative, then by his grace one can be delivered from the mire of ignorance. The spiritual master is therefore worshiped as one who delivers the disciple from the mire of ignorance with the light of the torch of knowledge. The word pāragam is very significant. Pāragam refers to one who can take the disciple to the other side. This side is conditioned life; the other side is the life of freedom. The spiritual master takes the disciple to the other side by opening his eyes with knowledge. We are suffering simply because of ignorance. By the instruction of the spiritual master, the darkness of ignorance is removed, and thus the disciple is enabled to go to the side of freedom. It is stated in Bhagavad-gītā that after many, many births one surrenders to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Similarly, if after many, many births one is able to find a bona fide spiritual master and surrender to such a bona fide representative of Kṛṣṇa, one can be taken to the side of light.
FAQs
This verse says the blinding darkness of ignorance is difficult to cross, but the Lord Himself is the ‘far shore’; true vision is attained by His mercy.
Devahuti, seeking liberation and spiritual clarity, acknowledges Kapiladeva as the Supreme Lord and credits His grace for granting her genuine spiritual insight after many lifetimes.
Cultivate humility and devotional practice (hearing, chanting, service), recognizing that lasting clarity comes not merely from information but from sincere surrender and divine grace.