Shloka 53
Adhyāya 42 — Mahābhūta–Indriya–Adhyātma-Vyavasthā
Brahmā’s Instruction on Elements and Faculties
रजस्वलमथादृशथ्यं त्रिगुणं च त्रिधातुकम् । संसर्गाभिरतं मूढं शरीरमिति धारणा
rajasvalam athādṛśathyaṃ triguṇaṃ ca tridhātukam | saṃsargābhirataṃ mūḍhaṃ śarīram iti dhāraṇā
Vāyu-deva dit : « Contemple le corps comme une chose souillée par la passion et l’impureté, instable et trompeuse d’apparence ; constituée des trois guṇas et des trois humeurs du corps ; et, dans sa sottise, avide de contact et de fréquentation. Telle est la réflexion disciplinée (dhāraṇā) qui desserre l’attachement et tourne l’esprit vers le dharma. »
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches a dhāraṇā (disciplined contemplation) that views the body as guṇa-bound, humor-constituted, and prone to deluded craving for contact. By seeing the body’s instability and impurity, one reduces attachment and strengthens ethical self-mastery aligned with dharma.
Vāyu-deva is instructing a contemplative practice: a way of holding a clear, sobering perception of the body. The instruction functions as spiritual counsel—redirecting attention from sensual entanglement toward restraint, discernment, and inner steadiness.