Audio Recitation

Transliteration

ahaṃkāraṃ balaṃ darpaṃ kāmaṃ krodhaṃ parigraham . vimucya nirmamaḥ śānto brahmabhūyāya kalpate ||18-53||

Translation

18.53 Having abandoned egoism, strength, arrogance, desire, anger and covetousness, and free from the notion of 'mine' and peaceful, he is fit for becoming Brahman.

Commentary

18.53 अहङ्कारम् egoism? बलम् strength? दर्पम् arrogance? कामम् desire? क्रोधम् anger? परिग्रहम् covetousness? विमुच्य having abandoned? निर्ममः without mineness? शान्तः peaceful? ब्रह्मभूयाय for becoming Brahman? कल्पते (he) is fit.Commentary Egoism Identifying the Self with the body? etc. This is the error of mistaking the physical body for the pure immortal Self.Balam That strength which is combined or united with passion? desire and attachment? and not the physical or other strength. Physical strength is natural. It is not possible to abandon this physical strength.Darpam Arrogance? insolence? selfassertive Rajasic vehemence this follows the state of exaltion.,Man becomes arrogant when he possesses wealth or much learning. When he becomes arrogant he violates Dharma and does wicked deeds.The aspirant even abandons the things which are necessary for the bare maintenance of the body. He becomes a ParamahamsaParivrajaka? a wandering or itinerant ascetic. He has no attachment to his body. He knows that even the body does not belong to him.Santa Peaceful? tranil? serene.Such an aspirant who has devotion to Selfknowledge? and who is endowed with the above virtues is fit to become Brahman.