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 ||
वायुरुवाच—यथा प्राज्ञो जलमार्गविभागज्ञः स्वरित्रया नाव्या सलिलेऽश्रान्तः शीघ्रं हृदं संतरति, तथा विवेकी जनः संसारसागरं समतिक्रम्य परं पारं प्राप्य येन साधनेन तीर्णः तस्मिन्नपि साधने ममतां त्यजति।
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.