क्वात्मनो दर्शनं तस्य यद्दृष्टमवलम्बते । धीरास्तं तं न पश्यन्ति पश्यन्त्यात्मानमव्ययम् ॥
kvātmano darśanaṃ tasya yaddṛṣṭamavalambate | dhīrāstaṃ taṃ na paśyanti paśyantyātmānamavyayam ||
How can one who clings to what is seen have sight of the Self? The wise do not see this and that; they see the imperishable Self.
जो दृश्य का सहारा पकड़े रहता है, उसे आत्मा का दर्शन कहाँ? धीर पुरुष 'यह-वह' नहीं देखते, वे अविनाशी आत्मा को देखते हैं।
Meaning today and contextआज के लिए अर्थ और संदर्भ
If we look for ourselves only in roles, looks and possessions, we keep missing the one who is looking. Turning attention to that awareness is a different kind of seeing.
यदि हम खुद को केवल भूमिकाओं, रूप और संपत्ति में ढूँढ़ें, तो देखने वाले को ही खोते रहते हैं। उस चेतना की ओर ध्यान मोड़ना एक अलग तरह का देखना है।
Ashtavakra teaches Janaka in the final chapter on peace (shanti): he says one who leans on what is seen cannot see the Self, while the wise do not see 'this and that' but see the imperishable Self.