Saddarshanam
सत्प्रत्ययाः किं नु विहाय सन्तं
हृद्येष चिन्तारहितो हृदाख्यः
कथं स्मरामस्तममेयमेकं
तस्य स्मृतिस्तत्र दृढैव निष्ठा 1
satpratyayāḥ kiṃ nu vihāya santaṃ
hṛdyeṣa cintārahito hṛdākhyaḥ
kathaṃ smarāmastamameyamekaṃ
tasya smṛtistatra dṛḍhaiva niṣṭhā 1
Can there, indeed, be the belief (faith, firm conviction, idea) of existence without that which exists?
In the Heart, free from (devoid of) thoughts, this is called the Heart.
How to think of (remember) (lit., How can we remember) that immeasurable one?
Remembrance of that, therefore, is, indeed, firm abidance (alone). (Or: Remembrance of that is firm abidance therein alone.) (1)
महंमतिर्मृत्युमुपैति पूर्वम्
अथ स्वभावादमृतेषु तेषु
कथं पुनर्मृत्युधियोऽवकाशः 2
mahaṃmatirmṛtyumupaiti pūrvam
atha svabhāvādamṛteṣu teṣu
kathaṃ punarmṛtyudhiyo’vakāśaḥ 2
The “I” thought (notion) is the first to attain death.
Thereafter, in them [who] are naturally (by their own nature) immortal,
How again can there be space for the thought of death? (2)
सर्वैर्निदानं जगतोऽहमश्च
वाच्यः प्रभुः कश्चिदपारशक्तिः
चित्रेऽत्र लोक्यं च विलोकिता च
पटः प्रकाशोऽप्यभवत्स एकः 1
sarvairnidānaṃ jagato’hamaśca
vācyaḥ prabhuḥ kaścidapāraśaktiḥ
citre’tra lokyaṃ ca vilokitā ca
paṭaḥ prakāśo’pyabhavatsa ekaḥ 1
By all, an original (first) cause (original essence) of the universe (world) and of the “I”
Is to be said, the Lord (who is the powerful Master), someone with boundless power.
Variegated here (in this) (In this picture here), the seeing one (the seer) and the seen, and
The screen, and the Light, only (also) He, the One, became. (1)
आरभ्यते जीवजगत्परात्म-
तत्त्वाभिधानेन मतं समस्तम्
इदं त्रयं यावदहंमति स्यात्
सर्वोत्तमाऽहंमतिशून्यनिष्ठा 2
ārabhyate jīvajagatparātma-
tattvābhidhānena mataṃ samastam
idaṃ trayaṃ yāvadahaṃmati syāt
sarvottamā’haṃmatiśūnyaniṣṭhā 2
Principles (verities), all suppositions (doctrines) begin.
(Or: Naming the individual, the world, and the Supreme Self is inherent in suppositions.)
This triad is so long as the “I”-notion will exist (be).
The best of all is abidance void of the “I”-notion (“I”-assumption). (2)
दुःखं सुखं वेति मुधा विवादः
अदृष्टलोका निरहंप्रतीति-
र्निष्ठाऽविकल्पा परमाऽखिलेष्टा 3
duḥkhaṃ sukhaṃ veti mudhā vivādaḥ
adṛṣṭalokā nirahaṃpratīti-
rniṣṭhā’vikalpā paramā’khileṣṭā 3
Suffering or happiness, thus to no purpose (vain) is the dispute (quarrel).
The world is not seen, no “I”-belief (no going toward the “I”)(clear ascertainment of no “I”),
Abidance without differentiation (without doubt), the Absolute (the Supreme), is agreeable for (dear to) all. (3)
सरूपधीरात्मनि यावदस्ति
अरूपकात्मा यदि कः प्रपश्येत्
सा दृष्टिरेकाऽनवधिर्हि पूर्णा 4
sarūpadhīrātmani yāvadasti
arūpakātmā yadi kaḥ prapaśyet
sā dṛṣṭirekā’navadhirhi pūrṇā 4
So long as the with-form idea the Self is (the with-form idea in the Self is)(in oneself is).
If the Self is formless, who is to see?
That vision (eye, wisdom, beholding) is one (single), limitless, [and] certainly perfectly full. (4)
तदन्तरा किं भुवनं चकास्ति
देहं विना पञ्चविधं तदेतत्
पश्यन्ति के वा भुवनं भणन्तु 5
tadantarā kiṃ bhuvanaṃ cakāsti
dehaṃ vinā pañcavidhaṃ tadetat
paśyanti ke vā bhuvanaṃ bhaṇantu 5
Without that does the world shine?
Without the five-fold body, that, this here (now),
Who at all see the world? Let them speak. (5)
शब्दादिसत्तेन्द्रियवृत्तिभास्या
सत्तेन्द्रियाणां मनसो वशे स्यात्
मनोमयं तद्भुवनं वदामः 6
śabdādisattendriyavṛttibhāsyā
sattendriyāṇāṃ manaso vaśe syāt
manomayaṃ tadbhuvanaṃ vadāmaḥ 6
The existence of sound and others is a mode of the senses made to appear (brought to light).
The existence of the senses in the mind’s power (control) is.
Full of the mind (Composed of the mind) is that world, we say. (or: Full of the mind, therefore, the world is, we say.) (6)
लोकस्ततो धीप्रविभास्य एषः
धीलोकजन्मक्षयधाम पूर्णं
सद्वस्तु जन्मक्षयशून्यमेकम् 7
lokastato dhīpravibhāsya eṣaḥ
dhīlokajanmakṣayadhāma pūrṇaṃ
sadvastu janmakṣayaśūnyamekam 7
The world. Therefore, of the mind’s (thought’s) light is this.
The abode (glory, splendor, light) [in which] the mind and world are born and decay (are destroyed, perish) is the perfect fullness,
The real thing (the true Reality), devoid of birth and decay (destruction, perishing), the One. (7)
परस्य नामाकृतिभिः सपर्या
सद्वस्तुनि प्राप्तदात्मभावा
निष्ठैव सद्दर्शनमित्यवेहि 8
parasya nāmākṛtibhiḥ saparyā
sadvastuni prāptadātmabhāvā
niṣṭhaiva saddarśanamityavehi 8
Worship (plural) of the Supreme with name and form.
Abidance in the true Reality, the Attainment of that Self-Being (or: Abidance in the True Reality, the attainment of the state ((conviction)) of That is the Self),
Alone is the vision of Truth (true vision). Thus know (understand). (8)
किञ्चित्समाश्रित्य विभान्ति वस्तु
तन्मार्गणे स्याद्गलितं समस्तं
न पश्यतां सच्चलनं कदापि 9
kiñcitsamāśritya vibhānti vastu
tanmārgaṇe syādgalitaṃ samastaṃ
na paśyatāṃ saccalanaṃ kadāpi 9
(All dualities and triads shine for some thing ((some reality)) that is the support ((for some thing upon which they depend)))
[When] that is traced (sought), all are loosed and dropped.
For them who see the Truth (Being), there is no movement ever (at any time). (9)
विद्यां विना किं प्रविभात्यविद्या
द्वयं च कस्येति विचार्य मूल-
स्वरूपनिष्ठा परमार्थविद्या 10
vidyāṃ vinā kiṃ pravibhātyavidyā
dvayaṃ ca kasyeti vicārya mūla-
svarūpaniṣṭhā paramārthavidyā 10
Without knowledge, does ignorance shine?
And “Whose are the two?” thus. Inquiring into the source (root),
Abidance in one’s own (true) nature is the Knowledge of the Supreme Truth. (10)
बोधः स किं स्यात्परमार्थबोधः
बोधस्य बोध्यस्य च संश्रयं स्वं
विजानतस्तद्द्वितयं विनश्येत् 11
bodhaḥ sa kiṃ syātparamārthabodhaḥ
bodhasya bodhyasya ca saṃśrayaṃ svaṃ
vijānatastaddvitayaṃ vinaśyet 11
Be Knowledge of the Supreme Truth?
(or: Can that knowledge which is of one who does not know the Self ((oneself)))
(or: Can that knowledge that does not know the Self, the one who knows,)
Of knowing and of knowledge (or: the to be known), the support, oneself,
The one who knows shall destroy the two. (11)
गृह्णाति किञ्चिन्न यथार्थबोधे
निद्रापदार्थग्रहणेतरा स्यात्
चिदेव विद्या विलसन्त्यशून्या 12
gṛhṇāti kiñcinna yathārthabodhe
nidrāpadārthagrahaṇetarā syāt
cideva vidyā vilasantyaśūnyā 12
One does not grasp (seize, perceive) anything in true Knowledge.
Different from the categories of sleep and perceiving is
Consciousness alone (indeed); Knowledge shines forth [and is] not a void. (12)
सिध्येत्पृथक्सत्यचितो न भिन्ना
भूषाविकाराः किमु सन्ति सत्यं
विना सुवर्णं पृथगत्र लोके 13
sidhyetpṛthaksatyacito na bhinnā
bhūṣāvikārāḥ kimu santi satyaṃ
vinā suvarṇaṃ pṛthagatra loke 13
Are not established (accomplished) apart (different). True Consciousness is not divided.
(lit., The Truth is the Consciousness-Self. It is various ((manifold)) forms of Consciousness that are established [as] apart ((different)) [yet] true Consciousness is not divided.
(or: The Truth is the Consciousness-Self. Various ((manifold)) forms of Consciousness are not established as apart [or] divided [from] the true Consciousness.)
Can the change (transformation, modification) of ornaments exist truly
Without the gold, separately (apart), here in this world? (13)
तस्मिन् विनष्टेऽस्मदि मूलबोधात्
तद्युष्मदस्मन्मतिवर्जितैका
स्थितिर्ज्वलन्ती सहजात्मनः स्यात् 14
tasmin vinaṣṭe’smadi mūlabodhāt
tadyuṣmadasmanmativarjitaikā
sthitirjvalantī sahajātmanaḥ syāt 14
Upon the destruction of that “us” from (by means of) the knowledge of the root (source),
Without the “that,” “you,” and “us” notion, the One
State (Abidance, Stand) shines, the innate Self shall be. (14)
तद्वर्तमानस्य विहाय तत्त्वम्
हास्या न किं स्याद्गतभाविचर्चा
विनैकसङ्ख्यां गणनेव लोके 15
tadvartamānasya vihāya tattvam
hāsyā na kiṃ syādgatabhāvicarcā
vinaikasaṅkhyāṃ gaṇaneva loke 15
Relinquishing the Truth of what is presently existing (the present),
Will it not be laughable, repeatedly thinking over (discussion) [what is] gone [and] will be,
Like counting without the number one, in the world? (15)
दिक्काललीलेह वपुर्वयं चेत्
न क्वापि भामो न कदापि भामो
वयं तु सर्वत्र सदा च भामः 16
dikkālalīleha vapurvayaṃ cet
na kvāpi bhāmo na kadāpi bhāmo
vayaṃ tu sarvatra sadā ca bhāmaḥ 16
The play of space and time, here, is if we are the body.
Nowhere we shine (appear), at no time we shine (appear),
But we everywhere and always shine. (16)
वेकस्य देहे हृदि दीप्त आत्मा
आक्रम्य देहं च जगच्च पूर्णः
परस्य मेयं तनुमात्रमात्मा 17
vekasya dehe hṛdi dīpta ātmā
ākramya dehaṃ ca jagacca pūrṇaḥ
parasya meyaṃ tanumātramātmā 17
(or: In the state of the body-self, the wise and the ignorant are the same).
For the one, in the body, in the heart, the Self illumines,
Including (encompassing, spreading over) the body and the universe, the Perfect Fullness.
For the other, the Self is discernible as only the body
(the Self is only the measure of the body). (17)
पूर्वस्य दृश्यं जगदेव सत्यम्
परस्य दृश्याश्रयभूतमेकं
सत्यं प्रपूर्णं प्रविभात्यरूपम् 18
pūrvasya dṛśyaṃ jagadeva satyam
parasya dṛśyāśrayabhūtamekaṃ
satyaṃ prapūrṇaṃ pravibhātyarūpam 18
For the former, the seen universe, indeed (alone), is the real (the true).
For the other, the seen the resting place has become; the One,
The Real (the Truth), the completely Full, shines as formless.
(or: For the other, the One that has become the resting place of the seen,
The Real, the completely Full, the Formless, shines.) (18)
स्तयोर्द्वयोर्मूलमजानतां स्यात्
विधेः प्रयत्नस्य च मूलवस्तु
सञ्जानतां नैव विधिर्न यत्नः 19
stayordvayormūlamajānatāṃ syāt
vidheḥ prayatnasya ca mūlavastu
sañjānatāṃ naiva vidhirna yatnaḥ 19
Them who do not know the root of these two.
For those who know well the root thing of fate and effort,
There are not, indeed, fate or one’s own activity (free will). (19)
मवीक्ष्य तन्मानसिकेक्षणं स्यात्
न द्रष्टुरन्यः परमो हि तस्य
वीक्षा स्वमूले प्रविलीय निष्ठा 20
mavīkṣya tanmānasikekṣaṇaṃ syāt
na draṣṭuranyaḥ paramo hi tasya
vīkṣā svamūle pravilīya niṣṭhā 20
Not seeing, that shall be mental seeing.
Not other than the seer is the Supreme, indeed. Of Him
The seeing is in one’s own source (root) the absorption (lit., having been absorbed, dissolved) and abidance. (20)
दित्यागमोक्तेः सुलभो न भावः
नात्मैव दृश्यो यदि का कथेशे
स्वयं तदन्नीभवनं तदीक्षा 21
dityāgamokteḥ sulabho na bhāvaḥ
nātmaiva dṛśyo yadi kā katheśe
svayaṃ tadannībhavanaṃ tadīkṣā 21
Thus, the Agama (the scripture’s) declaration. This is not an easy bhava (state, meditation, contemplation). (or: This is easy, not a way of thinking.)
If the Self is not, indeed, the seen, how can there be talk of the Lord? (how to seek the Lord?)
Oneself becoming His food is that seeing (is seeing Him). (21)
स्वयं धियोऽन्तः प्रविभाति गुप्तः
धियं परावर्त्य धियोन्तरेऽत्र
संयोजनान्नेश्वरदृष्टिरन्या 22
svayaṃ dhiyo’ntaḥ pravibhāti guptaḥ
dhiyaṃ parāvartya dhiyontare’tra
saṃyojanānneśvaradṛṣṭiranyā 22
Oneself (Himself) within the mind (or: interior to the mind), He shines hidden.
The mind is to be turned back within (interior to) the mind, here.
From the union (absorption) is the seeing (wisdom) of the Lord, not otherwise. (22)
न कोऽपि नाभूवमिति प्रवक्ति
यत्रोदिते सर्वमुदेति तस्य
धियाऽहमः शोधय जन्मदेशम् 23
na ko’pi nābhūvamiti pravakti
yatrodite sarvamudeti tasya
dhiyā’hamaḥ śodhaya janmadeśam 23
No one says, “I did not exist,” thus.
Upon the rise of that (which), all arise. Of that
“I,” with the mind (intelligence), investigate (make clear) the birth place. (23)
देहप्रमाणोऽन्य उदेति मध्ये
अहङ्कृतिग्रन्थिविबन्धसूक्ष्म-
शरीरचेतोभवजीवनामा 24
dehapramāṇo’nya udeti madhye
ahaṅkṛtigranthivibandhasūkṣma-
śarīracetobhavajīvanāmā 24
The body measured (limited to the body) another arises in the midst (between, in the middle),
Ego, knot, bondage, subtle body,
Mind, bhava (mundane existence, samsara), jiva (the individual) named. (24)
रूपाशनो धूतगृहीतरूपः
स्वयं विरूपः स्वविचारकाले
धावत्यहङ्कारपिशाच एषः 25
rūpāśano dhūtagṛhītarūpaḥ
svayaṃ virūpaḥ svavicārakāle
dhāvatyahaṅkārapiśāca eṣaḥ 25
[It is] a feeder on form, one that has given up and grasped form,
Itself formless. Upon (at the time of) inquiry into itself,
It runs [away], this ego-ghost. (25)
लयेऽहमो नैव विभाति किञ्चित्
तस्मादहंरूपमिदं समस्तं
तन्मार्गणं सर्वजयाय मार्गः 26
laye’hamo naiva vibhāti kiñcit
tasmādahaṃrūpamidaṃ samastaṃ
tanmārgaṇaṃ sarvajayāya mārgaḥ 26
On the dissolution of the “I,” not anything, indeed, shines (appears).
Therefore, of the form of “I” is this completely.
That search is the way (path) (Or: the search for That is the way) for victory over all. (26)
तच्चोदयस्थानगवेषणेन
विना न नश्येद्यदि तन्न नश्येत्
स्वात्मैक्यरूपा कथमस्तु निष्ठा 27
taccodayasthānagaveṣaṇena
vinā na naśyedyadi tanna naśyet
svātmaikyarūpā kathamastu niṣṭhā 27
And that, without the fervent search (inquiry) for the place of emergence,
Is not destroyed (will not perish). If that is not destroyed (does not perish),
How may there be abidance, of the nature of Oneness of the True (own) Self? (27)
र्निमज्ज्य बुद्ध्या शितया नितान्तम्
प्राणं च वाचं च नियम्य चिन्वन्
विन्देन्निजाहङ्कृतिमूलरूपम् 28
rnimajjya buddhyā śitayā nitāntam
prāṇaṃ ca vācaṃ ca niyamya cinvan
vindennijāhaṅkṛtimūlarūpam 28
One must dive (plunge) with intellect highly (extraordinarily) sharp,
Prana and speech to be controlled (lit., having controlled), inquiring (reflecting on);
One shall find the nature of the root of one’s own ego. (28)
चर्चैव सत्यात्मविचारणं स्यात्
एषोऽहमेतन्न मम स्वरूप-
मिति प्रमा सत्यविचारणाङ्गम् 29
carcaiva satyātmavicāraṇaṃ syāt
eṣo’hametanna mama svarūpa-
miti pramā satyavicāraṇāṅgam 29
[This] inquiry (consideration), indeed, (alone) shall be true Self-inquiry.
“This I am, this is not my true (own) nature,”
Thus, [this] correct idea (understanding, knowledge) is a limb of (unessential to, secondary to, inferior to) true inquiry. (29)
पतेदहन्ता परिभुग्नशीर्षा
अथाहमन्यत्स्फुरति प्रकृष्टं
नाहङ्कृतिस्तत्परमेव पूर्णम् 30
patedahantā paribhugnaśīrṣā
athāhamanyatsphurati prakṛṣṭaṃ
nāhaṅkṛtistatparameva pūrṇam 30
The “I” consciousness shall fall, head bowed.
Then, another “I” shines forth, preeminent (superior).
It is not the ego. That is the Supreme alone (indeed), the Perfect Fullness. (30)
किं तस्य कार्यं परिशिष्टमस्ति
किञ्चिद्विजानाति स नात्मनोऽन्यत्
तस्य स्थितिं भावयितुं क्षमः कः 31
kiṃ tasya kāryaṃ pariśiṣṭamasti
kiñcidvijānāti sa nātmano’nyat
tasya sthitiṃ bhāvayituṃ kṣamaḥ kaḥ 31
For him, what is left remaining to be done?
He knows not anything other than the Self.
Who is able to conceive of his state? (31)
स्तथाप्यसम्प्राप्य परात्मनिष्ठाम्
भूयो विचारो मतिदुर्बलत्वं
तत्सर्वदा स्वात्मतया हि भाति 32
stathāpyasamprāpya parātmaniṣṭhām
bhūyo vicāro matidurbalatvaṃ
tatsarvadā svātmatayā hi bhāti 32
So, still, abidance as the Supreme Self is not to be completely attained.
More inquiry is weakness (feebleness) of the mind (weakness of conviction).
That always, as one’s own Self, indeed, shines. (32)
मिति प्रवादो मनुजस्य हास्यः
दृग्दृश्यभेदात् किमयं द्विधात्मा
स्वात्मैकतायां हि धियां न भेदाः 33
miti pravādo manujasya hāsyaḥ
dṛgdṛśyabhedāt kimayaṃ dvidhātmā
svātmaikatāyāṃ hi dhiyāṃ na bhedāḥ 33
Thus, expressions of man are to be laughed at.
From the difference of the seer and the seen, is this Self divided in two (twofold)?
The Oneness of oneself (the true Self), indeed, is the understanding (knowledge) [that there are] no differences. (33)
स्वभावसिद्धेऽनुपलभ्य निष्ठाम्
मायाविलासः सदसत्सरूप-
विरूपनानैकमुखप्रवादाः 34
svabhāvasiddhe’nupalabhya niṣṭhām
māyāvilāsaḥ sadasatsarūpa-
virūpanānaikamukhapravādāḥ 34
(or: Not having attained ((obtained)) the abidance in the accomplishment of the true ((Self)) state),
The attaining of (reaching) the Heart, the true abode, in the innate True Nature (in one’s own innate nature),
A play (echo) of maya (illusion) are “real, unreal, with form,
Without form, many (separate, different), one;” [they are] proclamations of the mouth. (34)
स्वप्नोपमानाः खलु सिद्धयोऽन्याः
स्वप्नः प्रबुद्धस्य कथं नु सत्यः
सति स्थितः किं पुनरेति मायाम् 35
svapnopamānāḥ khalu siddhayo’nyāḥ
svapnaḥ prabuddhasya kathaṃ nu satyaḥ
sati sthitaḥ kiṃ punareti māyām 35
Comparable to (resembling) a dream, indeed, are other accomplishments.
The dream of one who is awakened, how can it now be true?
Does one who abides in Truth (Being) again approach illusion? (35)
साहाय्यकारी परमार्गणस्य
स्वात्मैक्यसिद्धौ स पुनर्निरर्थो
यथा नरत्वप्रमितिर्नरस्य 36
sāhāyyakārī paramārgaṇasya
svātmaikyasiddhau sa punarnirartho
yathā naratvapramitirnarasya 36
Is helpful for the search for (the path to) the Supreme.
In the true Self (one’s own Self) Oneness Accomplishment, that again is purposeless (useless, meaningless),
Just as the correct notion (conception) of man-ness (manhood) of a man. (36)
त्वद्वैतमित्येष न साधुवादः
गवेषणात्प्राग्दशमे विनष्टे
पश्चाच्च लब्धे दशमत्वमेकम् 37
tvadvaitamityeṣa na sādhuvādaḥ
gaveṣaṇātprāgdaśame vinaṣṭe
paścācca labdhe daśamatvamekam 37
Nonduality,” thus. This is not good (holy) speech (doctrine, advice, proposition).
Prior to the search, when the tenth [man] was lost,
And after, when found, the tenth-ness is one (that one only, the same). (37)
बाध्यो भवेत्कर्मफलं च भोक्तुम्
विचारधूता हृदि कर्तृता चेत्
कर्मत्रयं नश्यति सैव मुक्तिः 38
bādhyo bhavetkarmaphalaṃ ca bhoktum
vicāradhūtā hṛdi kartṛtā cet
karmatrayaṃ naśyati saiva muktiḥ 38
A bound one becomes and enjoys (experiences) the result (fruit) of karma.
If, by inquiry in the heart, doership is removed (cast off)
The triple karma perishes (is destroyed). That alone is Liberation. (38)
बन्धस्तु कस्येति विचारणेन
सिद्धे स्वयं स्वात्मनि नित्यमुक्ते
क्व बन्धचिन्ता क्व च मोक्षचिन्ता 39
bandhastu kasyeti vicāraṇena
siddhe svayaṃ svātmani nityamukte
kva bandhacintā kva ca mokṣacintā 39
But bondage of whom? Thus, by the inquiry,
In the accomplishment of himself (of itself), in one’s own (true) Self, one is ever-liberated.
(or: Is established of itself, in one’s own Self, the ever-liberated.)
Where is the anxious thought of bondage, and where is the anxious thought of Liberation? (39)
मुक्तिस्त्रिरूपेति विदो वदन्ति
इदं त्रयं या विविनक्त्यहन्धी-
स्तस्याः प्रणाशः परमार्थमुक्तिः 40
muktistrirūpeti vido vadanti
idaṃ trayaṃ yā vivinaktyahandhī-
stasyāḥ praṇāśaḥ paramārthamuktiḥ 40
Liberation is of three forms, thus, the knowers say.
The complete destruction of that “I”-notion (conception of individuality) that examines (ponders) this triad
Is the Supreme Truth of Liberation. (40)
महर्षिणा श्रीरमणेन शुद्धम्
प्रबन्धमुत्कृष्टममर्त्यवाण्या-
मनूद्य वासिष्ठमुनिर्व्यतानीत् 41
maharṣiṇā śrīramaṇena śuddham
prabandhamutkṛṣṭamamartyavāṇyā-
manūdya vāsiṣṭhamunirvyatānīt 41
By Maharshi Sri Ramana pure,
The composition excellent (highest, best), in the immortals’ language
Spoken afterward by Vasishta Muni was composed. (41)
मुमुक्षुलोकाय मुदं ददाना
अमानुषश्रीरमणीयवाणी-
मयूखभित्तिर्मुनिवाग् विभाति 42
mumukṣulokāya mudaṃ dadānā
amānuṣaśrīramaṇīyavāṇī-
mayūkhabhittirmunivāg vibhāti 42
Giving joy to the world of seekers of Liberation,
The divine (not a man) Sri Ramana’s (delightful, agreeable) voice ,
The rays of Light, as a wall-like surface (as a fragment), the Muni’s speech (words) shines. (42)
Description
Saddarshanam
This is the Sanskrit Translation of Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi’s Ulladu Narpadu.
The Truth is silent. He is silent. He is the Silence. A name was given to him: Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi, and the eternal Silence, itself, poured forth in luminous verses, expressing the sublime, supreme Truth. This is Saddarsanam, The Revelation of Truth. In Tamil, it is known as Ulladu Narpadu, The Forty on What Is.
Saddarsanam consists of verses selected from among over eighty verses. This larger body of verses consists of both verses composed by the Maharshi and verses derived from other texts that were translated into Tamil from their Sanskrit originals. The verses selected for the text of Ulladu Narpadu (Saddarsanam) were composed by the Maharshi. Those verses not selected for Ulladu Narpadu (The Forty on What Is) were compiled into the Anubandham, or Supplement. Though the Supplement, too, contains verses of great profundity, this present book concerns itself only with the Saddarsanam verses, which consist of the two invocatory verses, the forty verses, and the two concluding verses by Ganapati Muni that serve the function of a colophon.
The original verses were composed in Tamil by Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi, arranged by Sri Muruganar, and entitled Ulladu Narpadu (The Forty on What Is). The Tamil verses were translated into Sanskrit by Kavyakantha Ganapati Muni (Vasishta Ganapati Muni), who had also selected which verses were to appear as the invocation, and entitled Saddarsanam. The Muni’s Sanskrit version is used in this present volume. It is translated in a very literal manner, to the extent that even the order of the Sanskrit words is followed fairly closely in the English wherever possible, even if the English then reads a bit awkwardly. Whenever practical, the point where each English line breaks follows the pattern displayed in the Sanskrit text. In numerous instances, alternative translations of words, phrases, and lines are presented. The aim is to provide the literal meaning free of interpretation and, also, to present the numerous nuances of meaning that can be derived from the text without deviating from a literal translation. With this supplied, the meditating reader can easily, inwardly understand the significance of each verse and, if he chooses, mentally render the verse into a more smoothly flowing set of English words, for a consequence of this style of translation is the loss of the poetic quality of the original text. Reference to the portion of this book entitled “An Inquiry into the Revelation of Truth and Oneself” may be found to be helpful to the understanding of the applicability of this translation for Self-inquiry and Self-Realization and for an explanation of the meaning of those phrases of the translation that may elude complete comprehension at first glance. Words and phrases placed in parenthesis indicate alternative translations of the term or phrase immediately preceding them. Words placed in brackets are those inserted to make the English translation intelligible and are not actually in the Sanskrit text, though they may be implied. The intended result of presenting the translation in this manner is to provide the meditating reader with the full scope of meanings consonant with an experiential understanding of this nondual Knowledge.
Among the English translations of the text are the two by A. R. Natarajan, as found within his books Sat-Darshana and Teachings of Ramana Maharshi, the two that are found in earlier and later editions of The Collected Works of Ramana Maharshi, one of which is the translation by Professor K. Swaminathan, the one entitled Truth Revealed (Sad-Vidya), which is translated from the Tamil original, the one by “K,” which is contained in his Sat-Darshana Bhashya, the one of Dr. T. M. P. Mahadevan from the Tamil text found in Ramana Maharshi and His Philosophy of Existence, the translation by K. Lakshmana Sarma (“Who”) that accompanies his own Sanskrit rendition from the Tamil, as contained in his Sri Ramanahrdayam, Revelation, the one by Swami Tejomayananda as contained in Saddarsanam of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi, the translation by S. S. Cohen, which is said to be an edition derived from six other translations, and the translation by S. Ram Mohan, which is being serially published in the “Mountain Path.” Several of these are published by Sri Ramanasramam, some by the Ramana Maharshi Centre for Learning, and some are by other publishers and by other spiritual institutions dedicated to Vedanta. The translation contained herein is intended to augment and not to substitute for these existing translations.
Introduction to Ulladu Narpadu by Michael James
Ulladu Narpadu, the ‘Forty [Verses] on That Which Is’, is a Tamil poem that Sri Ramana composed in July and August 1928 when Sri Muruganar asked him to teach us the nature of the reality and the means by which we can attain it.
In the title of this poem, the word உள்ளது (ulladu) is a verbal noun that means ‘that which is’ or ‘being’ (either in the sense of ‘existence’ or in the sense of ‘existing’), and is an important term that is often used in spiritual or philosophical literature to denote ‘reality’, ‘truth’, ‘that which is real’ or ‘that which really is’. Hence in a spiritual context the meaning clearly implied by ulladu is atman, our ‘real self’ or ‘spirit’.
Though நாற்பது (narpadu) means ‘forty’, Ulladu Narpadu actually consists of a total of forty-two verses, two of which form the mangalam or ‘auspicious introduction’ and the remaining forty of which form the nul or main ‘text’.
Like many of his other works, Sri Ramana composed Ulladu Narpadu in a poetic metre called venba, which consists of four lines, with four feet in each of the first three lines and three feet in the last line, but since devotees used to do regular parayana or recitation of his works in his presence, he converted the forty-two verses of Ulladu Narpadu into a single verse in kalivenba metre by lengthening the third foot of the fourth line of each verse and adding a fourth foot to it, thereby linking it to the next verse and making it easy for devotees to remember the continuity while reciting.
Since the one-and-a-half feet that he thus added to the fourth line of each verse may contain one or more words, which are usually called the ‘link words’, they not only facilitate recitation but also enrich the meaning of either the preceding or the following verse.
In Bhagavan’s own words
The story of how the work Ulladu Narpadu came into being is told by Ramana Maharshi himself in Day by Day with Bhagavan, 7th December 1945:
Bhagavan referred to the article in the Vision of December, 1945 on Sthita Prajna and to the lines from Sat Darshana quoted in that article. Dr Syed thereupon asked Bhagavan when Reality in Forty Verses was made by Bhagavan. Bhagavan said, “It was recently something like 1928. Muruganar has noted down somewhere the different dates. One day Muruganar said that some stray verses composed by me now and then on various occasions should not be allowed to die, but should be collected together and some more added to them to bring the whole number to forty, and that the entire forty should be made into a book with a proper title. He accordingly gathered about thirty or less stanzas and requested me to make the rest to bring the total to forty. I did so, composing a few stanzas on different occasions as the mood came upon me.
When the number came up to forty, Muruganar went about deleting one after another of the old collection of thirty or less on the pretext they were not quite germane to the subject on hand or otherwise not quite suitable, and requesting me to make fresh ones in place of the deleted ones. When this process was over, and there were forty stanzas as required by Muruganar, I found that in the forty there were but two stanzas out of the old ones and all the rest had been newly composed. It was not made according to any set scheme, nor at a stretch, nor systematically. I composed different stanzas on different occasions and Muruganar and others afterwards arranged them in some order according to the thoughts expressed in them to give some appearance of connected and regular treatment of the subject, viz., Reality.” (The stanzas contained in the old collection and deleted by Muruganar were about twenty. These were afterwards added as a supplement to the above work and the Supplement too now contains 40 verses).
By Robert Butler
Sadhu Om, in his Sri Ramanopadesha Nunmali – Garland of Teaching Texts by Sri Ramana gives a detailed account of the process of creation outlined above, gleaned from his long acquaintanceship with Sri Muruganar, whose key role is mentioned in the above quotation. Sadhu Om first points out that, in 1923 when Muruganar first came to Ramana, little was known of Ramana’s true ‘teachings’ since he felt no compulsion either to speak or commit to writing anything of his own volition, preferring to allow his state to communicate itself to others through silence. What ‘teachings’ that were available were the results of his responses to individuals who had asked him questions and to whom he had replied, tailoring his answers to suit the specific philosophical standpoint of the questioner. (At this time the one existing work that adequately expresses Ramana’s advaitic standpoint, Nan Yar – Who am I, was not widely known).
According to Sadhu Om’s account, Muruganar was that rare one who humbly begged Ramana to ‘Pray tell what is the nature of reality, and how may it be attained, so that we may attain salvation!’ Muruganar’s pressing did not go unrewarded. Its fruits were two works of monumental importance, the Upadesha Undiyar, and Ulladu Narpadu. However, this is jumping ahead somewhat. Muruganar collated the occasional verses that Ramana had composed from time to time at the request of devotees, and proceeded, as Bhagavan describes, with his plan to make them into a book, bringing the number to 40, and then requesting Ramana to replace most of the original verses on the grounds that they were not suitable. His clear aim, as Ramana was no doubt well aware, was to eradicate anything that was not an authentic statement from his guru, and thus derive a work that was truly the teaching of his master. The number Forty was inspired by the title of several works on ethics from the early post- Classical period of Tamil literature, such as the Inna Narpadu, Forty on things which are harmful, and the Iniyavai Narpadu, Forty on things which are desirable. Like Ramana’s Ulladu Narpadu, both the aforementioned works were written in the venba metre, and it was clearly Muruganar’s aim to help create a work which recalled the great works of Tamil literature, rivalled them in its artistry and technical skill, and surpassed them in terms of its subject matter, Reality itself.
It should be added that, in Ulladu Narpadu, Ramana shows himself to be a true master of this most difficult and prized of metric forms. Accordingly therefore, according to Sadhu Om’s account, on the 21st July 1928, Ramana began composing one or two stanzas a day. Muruganar placed the new verses with the old ones in order according to subject matter, and whenever he felt that one or another of the old verses did not reflect the pure advaitic teaching of his master, he requested Ramana to compose a new one in its place, claiming that it was not sufficiently clear, or germane to the subject in hand. By August the 8th the work was complete. 19 new verses had been composed, 18 of the original 21 replaced, and a 2 line kural venba written as a Mangalam – Invocation.
Other Ramana Shlokams
Aksharamanamalai
Akshara mana malai means the Scented garland arranged alphabetically in praise of Arunachala. Composed by Bhagavan Ramana, Arunachala” literally means “Mountain of the colour of red.
Anma Viddai
Anma-Viddai (Atma Viddai), the ‘Science of Self’, also known as Atma-Vidya Kirtanam, the ‘Song on the Science of Self’, is a Tamil song that Sri Ramana Maharshi composed on 24th April 1927.
Appala Pattu
Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi composed the Appala Pattu or The Appalam Song when his mother Azhagammal came to live with him. Lyrics In Tamil, English, Telugu with Translation, Meaning, Commentary, Audio MP3 and Significance
Arunachala Ashtakam
Sri Arunachala Ashtakam means the ‘Eight Verses to Sri Arunachala’. It was composed by Sri Ramana Maharshi as a continuation of Sri Arunachala Patikam.
Arunachala Mahatmiyam
Arunachala Mahatmiyam Arunachala Mahatmiyam means the Glory of Arunachala - By Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi The following notes describe the greatness of Arunachala as gi
Arunachala Navamani Malai
Arunachala Navamani Malai means The Garland or Necklace of Nine Gems in praise of Sri Arunachala. This poem of nine verses was composed by Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi himself, in praise of Arunachala, the Lord of the Red Hill.
Arunachala Padigam
Sri Arunachala Padigam (Padhikam) means the ‘Eleven Verses to Sri Arunachala’. It was composed by Sri Ramana Maharshi after the opening words of the first verse, 'Karunaiyal ennai y-anda ni' had been persistently arising in his mind for several…
Arunachala Pancharatnam
Arunachala Pancharatnam Introduction by Sri Michael James Sri Arunachala Pancharatnam, the ‘Five Gems to Sri Arunachala’, is the only song in Sri Arunachala Stuti
Ekanma Panchakam
Ekanma Panchakam or Ekatma Panchakam means the ‘Five Verses on the Oneness of Self’, is a poem that Sri Ramana composed in February 1947, first in Telugu, then in Tamil, and later in Malayalam.
Ellam Ondre
Ellam Ondre - All Is One - Is a masterpiece by a Brahma Jnani Sri Vaiyai R Subramaniam about Advaita and path to attain the Unity. This book was highly recommended by Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi.
Saddarshanam Telugu
This is the Telugu Transliteration of Saddarshanam from Sanskrit, which in turn is a translation of Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi's Ulladu Narpadu, The Forty on What Is.
The Path of Sri Ramana
The Path of Ramana, by Sri Sadhu Om, is a profound, lucid and masterly exposition of the spiritual teachings which Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi graciously bestowed upon the world. The exact method of practicing the self-enquiry 'Who am I?' is…
Ulladu Narpadu
Ulladu Narpadu, the Forty Verses on That Which Is, is a Tamil poem that Sri Ramana composed in July and August 1928 when Sri Muruganar asked him to teach us the nature of the reality and the means by which we can attain it.
Ulladu Narpadu – Explained
Ulladu Narpadu Introduction by Sri Michael James Ulladu Narpadu, the ‘Forty [Verses] on That Which Is’, is a Tamil poem that Sri Ramana composed in July and Au
Ulladu Narpadu Anubandham
Ulladu Nāṟpadu Anubandham, the ‘Supplement to Forty [Verses] on That Which Is’, is a collection of forty-one Tamil verses that Sri Ramana composed at various times during the 1920’s and 1930’s.
Ulladu Narpadu Anubandham Explained
Ulladu Nāṟpadu Anubandham along with Explanation by Sadhu Om: The ‘Supplement to Forty [Verses] on That Which Is’, is a collection of forty-one Tamil verses that Sri Ramana composed at various times during the 1920’s and 1930’s.
Ulladu Narpadu Kalivenba
Ulladu Narpadu Kalivenba - Also known as Upadēśa Kaliveṇbā is the extended (kalivenba) version of Ulladu Narpadu. Lyrics In Tamil, English, Telugu with Translation, Meaning, Commentary, Audio MP3 and Significance
Upadesa Saram
Upadesa Saram is the Sanskrit version of Upadesa Undiyar by Bhagavan Ramana Manarshi. First written in Tamil, this is a thirty-verse philosophical poem composed by Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi in 1927.
Upadesa Saram Telugu Transliteration
This is the Telugu transcription of Upadesa undiyar a Tamil poem of thirty verses that Sri Ramana composed in 1927 in answer to the request of Sri Muruganar, and that he later composed in Sanskrit, Telugu and Malayalam under the title Upadesa Saram,…
Upadesa Undiyar
Upadesa undiyar is a Tamil poem of thirty verses that Sri Ramana composed in 1927 in answer to the request of Sri Muruganar, and that he later composed in Sanskrit, Telugu and Malayalam under the title Upadesa Saram, the ‘Essence of Spiritual…
Works of Bhagavan Ramana
Compositions of Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi. In Tamil, English, Telugu, with Transliteration, Meaning, Explanatory Notes plus Audio. Includes Nan Yar, Ulladu Narpadu, Upadesa Undiyar, Upadesa Saram, Stuthi Panchakam and many more.
Saddarshanam – Ramana – Lyrics In Sanskrit, English, Telugu with Translation, Meaning, Commentary, Audio MP3 and Significance