Shloka 22
अध्वर्यु–यति संवादः
Adhvaryu–Yati Dialogue on Svabhāva, Ahiṃsā, and Mokṣa
यतिरुवाच अक्षरं च क्षरं चैव द्वैधीभावो5यमात्मन: । अक्षरं तत्र सद्भाव: स्वभाव: क्षर उच्यते
yatir uvāca—akṣaraṃ ca kṣaraṃ caiva dvaidhībhāvo ’yam ātmanaḥ | akṣaraṃ tatra sadbhāvaḥ svabhāvaḥ kṣara ucyate ||
苦行者说道：“自我（我性）被说为有二相：不坏与坏。凡真实存在，三世之中从不毁灭者，名为‘不坏’。而其性唯是非有，于一切时中全无真实者，名为‘坏’。”
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse distinguishes two ways of speaking about the Self: the imperishable (akṣara), identified with true, enduring being, and the perishable (kṣara), associated with what lacks lasting reality. Ethically, it directs attention away from transient appearances toward what is stable and truly existent.
A renunciant (yati) is instructing the listener in a philosophical discourse, defining key metaphysical categories—imperishable and perishable—to frame a deeper inquiry into the nature of the Self and reality.