Tapobhih Ksina-Papanam (Atma Bodha 1) — Word-by-Word Meaning

तपोभिः क्षीणपापानाम्

Every Sanskrit word explained in English

← Full Page Complete Lyrics Benefits & How to Chant

Word-by-Word Breakdown

तपोभिः

tapobhiḥ

By austerities, by spiritual disciplines

क्षीणपापानाम्

kṣīṇa-pāpānām

Of those whose sins (impurities) have been worn away

शान्तानाम्

śāntānām

Of the peaceful, the tranquil-minded

वीतरागिणाम्

vīta-rāgiṇām

Of those free from passion and attachment (dispassionate)

मुमुक्षूणाम्

mumukṣūṇām

Of the seekers of liberation (those who long for moksha)

अपेक्ष्यः

apekṣyaḥ

Sought after, needed, the proper object of desire

अयम्

ayam

This

आत्मबोधः

ātma-bodhaḥ

Self-knowledge, the knowledge of the Atman (also the name of this very text)

विधीयते

vidhīyate

Is composed, is expounded, is set forth (here)

अपेक्ष्योऽयम् आत्मबोधः

apekṣyo'yam ātma-bodhaḥ

This Self-knowledge, which is (rightly) sought — the goal that the qualified seeker desires

Complete Translation

This Atma-Bodha (knowledge of the Self) is set forth for those who have purified themselves by austerities, who are peaceful and free from attachment, and who long for liberation.

Origin & History

Source: Atma-Bodha, Verse 1

Author: Adi Shankaracharya

Period: Classical Vedanta period (traditionally 8th century CE)

Adi Shankaracharya opens the Atma-Bodha by declaring for whom the work is intended: the seeker who has purified the mind through austerity, who is peaceful, free from attachment, and yearning for liberation. Only such a one, the verse implies, will rightly value and grasp the knowledge of the Self. From this foundation the text goes on, in simple and luminous verses, to teach that knowledge alone — not action — destroys ignorance and reveals the Atman, and to describe the Self as ever-pure, ever-free consciousness, one with Brahman. The verse thus serves as the doorway and the statement of eligibility for the whole teaching.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'Tapobhih ksina-papanam' mean?▼

It means that this Atma-Bodha (Self-knowledge) is set forth for those whose impurities have been worn away by austerity, who are peaceful, free from attachment, and who long for liberation. It is the first verse of the Atma-Bodha.

What is the Atma-Bodha?▼

The Atma-Bodha ('Knowledge of the Self') is a short Vedanta text of sixty-eight verses composed by Adi Shankaracharya. It is a clear, systematic introduction to Advaita Vedanta, expounding the nature of the Atman as identical with Brahman and the means to realize it.

Why does the text first describe the qualified seeker?▼

Following the way of the great teachings, Shankaracharya first states the eligibility (adhikara) for Self-knowledge. Only a mind purified by discipline, calmed, freed of craving, and longing for liberation is ready to receive and assimilate this knowledge, so the qualities of such a seeker are named at the outset.

What are the qualities of a fit seeker named in this verse?▼

Four are named: purified by austerities (tapobhih kshina-papanam), peaceful (shanta), free from attachment and passion (vita-ragi), and desirous of liberation (mumukshu). These echo the fourfold qualification (sadhana chatushtaya) emphasized in Vedanta.

Ready to start chanting?

See Benefits & How to Chant →