Shloka 23
Mokṣa-dharma Yoga-Upadeśa: Equanimity, Sense-Restraint, and Vision of the Ātman (आत्मदर्शन-योगोपदेशः)
मुछ्जं शरीरमित्याहुरिषीकामात्मनि श्रिताम् । एतन्निदर्शनं प्रोक्तं योगविद्धिरनुत्तमम्
muñjaṃ śarīram ity āhur ṛṣīkām ātmani śritām | etan nidarśanaṃ proktaṃ yogaviddhir anuttamam ||
Le brāhmane dit : «Ils déclarent que le corps est comme l’herbe muñja, et le Soi comme le roseau intérieur (la moelle) qui demeure en elle. Cette image a été enseignée par les connaisseurs du Yoga comme un moyen suprême de discerner la distinction entre corps et Soi.»
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches viveka—discriminating the Self from the body—through an analogy: the body is like the outer muñja-grass, while the true Self is like the subtle inner pith. Ethical clarity and freedom from attachment arise when one stops identifying the impermanent body as the Self.
A Brāhmaṇa speaker instructs by offering a yogic illustration. He presents a traditional example used by yogic authorities to help listeners grasp the separateness of the embodied frame and the indwelling Self, guiding the audience toward inner detachment and right understanding.