Shloka 22
अध्वर्यु–यति संवादः
Adhvaryu–Yati Dialogue on Svabhāva, Ahiṃsā, and Mokṣa
यतिरुवाच अक्षरं च क्षरं चैव द्वैधीभावो5यमात्मन: । अक्षरं तत्र सद्भाव: स्वभाव: क्षर उच्यते
yatir uvāca—akṣaraṃ ca kṣaraṃ caiva dvaidhībhāvo ’yam ātmanaḥ | akṣaraṃ tatra sadbhāvaḥ svabhāvaḥ kṣara ucyate ||
L’ascète dit : «On parle du Soi comme d’un mode double : l’impérissable et le périssable. Ce qui existe véritablement et n’est jamais détruit dans aucun des trois temps est appelé l’Impérissable. Mais ce dont la nature est pur non-être, dépourvu de réalité en tout temps, est appelé le Périssable.»
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse distinguishes two ways of speaking about the Self: the imperishable (akṣara), identified with true, enduring being, and the perishable (kṣara), associated with what lacks lasting reality. Ethically, it directs attention away from transient appearances toward what is stable and truly existent.
A renunciant (yati) is instructing the listener in a philosophical discourse, defining key metaphysical categories—imperishable and perishable—to frame a deeper inquiry into the nature of the Self and reality.