Muni's PlayThe path to Self-realization is portrayed as rare and difficult. Yama notes that many never even hear of the Atman, and among those who do, few truly understand it. He remarks that both the enlightened teacher who can reveal this truth and the disciplined student who can receive it are truly exceptional.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रवणायापि बहुभिर्यो न लभ्यः शृण्वन्तोऽपि बहवो यं न विद्युः ।
आश्चर्यो वक्ता कुशलोऽस्य लब्धाश्चर्यो ज्ञाता कुशलानुशिष्टः ॥ ७ ॥
Transliteration
śravaṇāyāpi bahubhiryo na labhyaḥ śṛṇvanto’pi bahavo yaṃ na vidyuḥ |
āścaryo vaktā kuśalo’sya labdhāścaryo jñātā kuśalānuśiṣṭaḥ || 7 ||
Translation
Who cannot be attained even for hearing by many; whom, many though hearing, do not know; the expounder of him is a wonder; and able, the attainer of him; a wonder, the knower of him instructed by the able.