Shloka 27
Mind as Charioteer; Kṣetrajña, Tapas, and Dhyāna-Yoga
Adhyātma-Upadeśa
नावा चापि यथा प्राज्ञो विभागज्ञः स्वरित्रया । अश्रान्त: सलिले गच्छेच्छीघ्रं संतरते हृदम्
nāvā cāpi yathā prājño vibhāgajñaḥ svaritrayā | aśrāntaḥ salile gacchec chīghraṃ saṃtarate hṛdam ||
वायू म्हणाला—जसा जलमार्गाचे विभाग जाणणारा प्राज्ञ पुरुष सुबक वल्ह्यांच्या नावेतून पाण्यावर न थकता प्रवास करून शीघ्र तो विस्तार पार करतो, तसाच विवेकी मनुष्य संसार-सागर ओलांडतो; आणि परच्या तीरावर पोहोचल्यावर ज्याने पार केले त्या साधनाविषयीचीही ममता सोडून देतो.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches non-attachment to instruments and supports once their purpose is fulfilled: as a traveler abandons possessiveness toward the boat after crossing, a wise person relinquishes clinging to prior aids and accomplishments after transcending worldly bondage.
Vāyudeva is instructing through an analogy: a skilled, intelligent traveler crosses a vast water expanse swiftly using a well-oared boat; likewise, one crosses the ‘ocean’ of worldly life by appropriate means and then lets go of attachment to those means upon reaching the goal.