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Know that mortality soon overtakes a foolish man who walks the dangerous path of sense pleasures. Whereas one who sticks to the path of divinity, according to the instructions of well-meaning and noble Guru, constantly walks the path divine helped by one's own reasoning faculty, one achieves the end; know for certain this is true. (81)
In Vedanta, meditation is the technique for gaining the final experience of self -rediscovery but meditation can be successful only when the mind is not agitated by desires. In a sensuous life,
One is never without some desire or the other. Thus, an individual cannot have success, both in the life of meditation and in the world of sensuousness.
The human mind is disintegrated because of its desires, and it cannot be brought back to its state of healthy integration without its renouncing the very germs of its present disease.
So, in Vedanta, great stress has been laid upon the necessity of avoiding the mind’s running amok with its uncontrolled appetites.
This idea is explained again in a very powerful style. Sankara crisply repeats what the rishis have been continuously saying in the pages of the scriptures that the path of sensuousness leads straight to mortality while the path divine leads to immortality.
Thus, sensuous activities with motives of pleasure and indulgence harden the animal impressions in our minds and thereafter, thoughts begin to flow in that direction increasingly powerfully. Such a stupid man becomes increasingly daring in his criminalities, until at last he becomes irredeemable and slips down the ladder of evolution to be ultimately destroyed.
On the other hand, the way up the evolutionary ladder is also open to man by climbing which he can slowly ascend to the very pinnacles of total fulfillment.
This path has been beautifully described in the third line of the verse which insists that he must follow the instructions given by reliable guides, the Gurus, on the path of spirituality.
Even if there be a sacred Guru and the disciples surrender unto him, this in itself cannot bear any fruit unless they are ready to actively cooperate with the Teacher and cultivate for themselves the perfection indicated to them by him.
This verse contrasts the paths of "preyas" (pleasurable) and "shreyas" (beneficial) and emphasizes the importance of seeking guidance from a guru to attain liberation. It highlights that the path of fleeting pleasures leads to suffering and mortality, while the path of self-knowledge, guided by a wise guru and one's own reasoning, leads to true liberation.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
The Path of Pleasure (Preyas):
This path is characterized by attachment to sensory enjoyments and worldly pursuits. It is portrayed as a dangerous and ultimately destructive path that leads to suffering and death.
The Path of Benefit (Shreyas):
This path involves seeking self-knowledge and liberation through the guidance of a qualified guru and the application of one's own intellect.
The Role of the Guru:
The verse stresses the importance of a guru who is not only knowledgeable in scriptures but also free from desires and deeply rooted in wisdom. Such a guru can provide the necessary guidance and support to navigate the path of self-discovery.
The Importance of Discrimination:
The verse implicitly emphasizes the need for viveka (discrimination) between the real and the unreal, the transient and the eternal. This discrimination is essential for choosing the path of shreyas and avoiding the pitfalls of preyas.
The Goal of Liberation:
The ultimate goal of the path of shreyas is liberation (moksha), which is freedom from the cycle of birth and death and the realization of one's true nature (Atman).
In essence, this verse serves as a call to action, urging the seeker to renounce the allure of fleeting pleasures and embark on the journey of self-realization with the guidance of a true guru.
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