Shloka 79
Womb-Suffering and the Path to Liberation
Dialogue of Wisdom, Meditation, and Discernment
पृच्छतामेनमात्मानं भवांस्तत्त्वेषु पंडितः । वीतरागवचः श्रुत्वा विवेको वाक्यमब्रवीत्
pṛcchatāmenamātmānaṃ bhavāṃstattveṣu paṃḍitaḥ | vītarāgavacaḥ śrutvā viveko vākyamabravīt
ท่านผู้รอบรู้ในตัตตวะทั้งหลาย พึงไต่ถามอาตมันนี้เอง ครั้นได้สดับวาจาแห่งผู้ปราศจากราคะแล้ว วิเวกะจึงกล่าวถ้อยคำตอบไป
Viveka (Discernment)
Concept: Tattva-jñāna begins with the right question: the learned should interrogate the Self directly; viveka responds to vairāgya’s prompt.
Application: Adopt a daily ‘questioning practice’: ask ‘Who is experiencing this? What is permanent here?’ then redirect attention to nāma-japa or a short Viṣṇu-dhyāna.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Vītarāga, calm and austere, gestures toward a luminous figure representing the Ātman, inviting inquiry. Viveka steps forward holding a palm-leaf manuscript and a lamp, symbolizing discernment illuminating tattvas, as the surrounding shadows of confusion recede.","primary_figures":["Vītarāga","Viveka (personified discernment)","Ātman (as luminous figure)"],"setting":"A hermitage-like inner court with symbolic pillars labeled ‘tattva’; a quiet threshold between darkness and light.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["warm sandalwood beige","lamp gold","leaf green","ink black","lotus white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Vītarāga seated with serene gold halo, Viveka standing with a lamp and palm-leaf text, Ātman as a radiant central aura; heavy gold-leaf work on halos and lamp flame, rich maroon and emerald garments, ornate borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate ashram scene with delicate brushwork; Viveka’s lamp casts soft light on the Ātman’s glow; cool greens and gentle browns, refined expressions emphasizing thoughtful inquiry.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, Viveka with stylized lamp, Vītarāga in yogic posture, Ātman as a bright circular aura; strong red/yellow/green palette, temple-wall symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central lamp motif surrounded by lotus borders; Viveka approaching the luminous Ātman; decorative script-like tattva symbols in the background; deep blue and gold with floral intricacy."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["rustling leaves","soft bell on key words","gentle tanpura","brief silence after ‘pṛcchatām’"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पृच्छतामेनम् = पृच्छताम् + एनम्; एनमात्मानम् = एनम् + आत्मानम्; भवांस्तत्त्वेषु = भवान् + तत्त्वेषु; वाक्यमब्रवीत् = वाक्यम् + अब्रवीत्.
FAQs
It recommends ātmā-vicāra—inquiring into the nature of the Self—guided by knowledge of tattvas (fundamental principles).
A vītarāga (one free from attachment) is presented as a reliable voice because dispassion reduces bias and supports clear discernment in spiritual inquiry.
Cultivate discernment and humility: instead of arguing from opinion, one should investigate truth through careful inquiry and guidance from the detached and wise.