Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 2
Sāṅkhya: Categories of the Absolute Truth and the Unfolding of Creation
Tattva-vicāra
ज्ञानं नि:श्रेयसार्थाय पुरुषस्यात्मदर्शनम् । यदाहुर्वर्णये तत्ते हृदयग्रन्थिभेदनम् ॥ २ ॥
jñānaṁ niḥśreyasārthāya puruṣasyātma-darśanam yad āhur varṇaye tat te hṛdaya-granthi-bhedanam
La connaissance qui mène à la vision du Soi est la voie du bien suprême. Je t’exposerai cette connaissance par laquelle se tranchent les nœuds d’attachement du cœur.
It is said that by proper understanding of the pure self, or by self-realization, one can be freed from material attachment. Knowledge leads one to attain the ultimate perfection of life and to see oneself as he is. The Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad (3.8) also confirms this. Tam eva viditvāti-mṛtyum eti: simply by understanding one’s spiritual position, or by seeing oneself as he is, one can be freed from material entanglement. In various ways, the seeing of oneself is described in the Vedic literatures, and it is confirmed in the Bhāgavatam ( puruṣasya ātma-darśanam ) that one has to see oneself and know what he is. As Kapiladeva explains to His mother, this “seeing” can be done by hearing from the proper authoritative source. Kapiladeva is the greatest authority because He is the Personality of Godhead, and if someone accepts whatever is explained as it is, without interpretation, then he can see himself.
FAQs
This verse defines true, liberating knowledge as direct realization of the Self, which breaks the heart’s knot of ignorance and attachment.
Devahūti sought the path to ultimate welfare; Kapila begins his Sāṅkhya instruction by stating that genuine knowledge culminates in self-realization that frees one from bondage.
Cultivate steady spiritual inquiry and disciplined practice that reduces identification with temporary roles and cravings, aiming for inner clarity and detachment rooted in the Self.