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Rupam Drishyam Lochanam Drik (Drig Drishya Viveka 1) — Word-by-Word Meaning

रूपं दृश्यं लोचनं दृक्

Every Sanskrit word explained in English

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Word-by-Word Breakdown

रूपम्
rūpam
Form, the visible object (colour and shape)
दृश्यम्
dṛśyam
The seen, the object of perception
लोचनम्
locanam
The eye
दृक्
dṛk
The seer, that which perceives
तत्
tat
That (the eye, which was just the seer)
दृश्यम्
dṛśyam
(Becomes) the seen — in relation to the mind
दृक् तु मानसम्
dṛk tu mānasam
But the seer (of the eye) is the mind
दृश्याः
dṛśyāḥ
(Are) the seen objects
धीवृत्तयः
dhī-vṛttayaḥ
The modifications (thoughts, states) of the intellect/mind
साक्षी
sākṣī
The witness (the Self, pure consciousness)
दृक् एव
dṛg eva
Is the seer alone (the ultimate seer)
न तु दृश्यते
na tu dṛśyate
But is never seen (it is the eternal subject, never an object)

Complete Translation

The form is the seen and the eye is its seer; that (eye) is the seen and the mind is its seer; the modifications of the mind are the seen and the Witness (the Self) is their seer — but the Witness itself is never seen.

Origin & History

Source: Drig-Drishya-Viveka, Verse 1

Author: Traditionally attributed to Adi Shankaracharya (also ascribed to Bharati Tirtha / Vidyaranya)

Period: Classical Vedanta period

The Drig-Drishya-Viveka opens with this verse to set out its whole method: the discrimination between the seer (drik) and the seen (drishya). Beginning with the simplest case — a form seen by the eye — it shows that the eye, though seer of the form, is itself seen by the mind; the mind, seer of the eye, is itself seen by the inner Witness; and that Witness, pure consciousness, is the final seer that can never be made an object. The text builds on this verse to lead the seeker, step by step, from the outer world to the realization of the witnessing Self as one's true nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the verse 'Rupam drishyam lochanam drik' mean?▼
It means: form is the seen and the eye its seer; the eye is the seen and the mind its seer; the mind's thoughts are the seen and the Witness (Self) their seer — yet the Witness itself is never seen. It is the opening verse of the Drig-Drishya-Viveka.
What is the Drig-Drishya-Viveka?▼
The Drig-Drishya-Viveka ('Discrimination between the Seer and the Seen') is a short Vedanta text of about forty-six verses, traditionally attributed to Adi Shankaracharya or to Vidyaranya/Bharati Tirtha. It teaches Self-knowledge by repeatedly distinguishing the perceiving subject from the perceived object.
Who is the 'Witness' (sakshi) that is never seen?▼
The Witness is the Atman, pure consciousness. It illumines the body, senses and mind but is never itself an object of perception, because it is the eternal subject — the 'seer' behind all seeing. Knowing oneself as this Witness is the heart of Self-realization.
How is this verse used in spiritual practice?▼
It is used for Self-enquiry (vichara). By tracing perception inward — object, eye, mind, witness — the seeker learns to dis-identify from all that is 'seen' and to abide as the witnessing consciousness that is never seen, which is one's true nature and one with Brahman.

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