Shloka 3
अहमात्मानमास्थाय एक एवात्मनि स्थितिम् । कर्तु काड्क्षामि नेच्छामि बद्ध: साधारणैर्गुणै:,कभी मेरी इच्छा होती है कि अकेला ही रहूँ और आत्माका आश्रय लेकर उसीमें स्थित हो जाऊँ? परंतु इन तुच्छ विषयोंसे बँधा होनेके कारण वह इच्छा नष्ट हो जाती है
aham ātmānam āsthāya eka evātmani sthitim | kartuṁ kāṅkṣāmi necchāmi baddhaḥ sādhāraṇair guṇaiḥ ||
“Às vezes anseio por recolher-me na solidão—tomando refúgio no Si (Ātman) e permanecendo firmemente estabelecido nessa realidade interior. Contudo, vejo-me preso às qualidades comuns da natureza, e por essa prisão vacila minha resolução de tal firmeza interior.”
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the aspirant’s struggle: true steadiness in the Self is desired, but the ordinary guṇas of prakṛti bind the mind and weaken resolve. Ethical progress requires recognizing these binding tendencies and cultivating detachment and inner discipline to abide in the Self.
A brāhmaṇa speaker confesses an inner tension. He aspires to solitary, Self-centered abiding, yet admits that everyday qualities and attachments repeatedly pull him outward, preventing stable renunciation.