Word meanings
- manuṣyāṇām
- of men
- sahasreṣu
- out of many thousands
- kaścit
- someone
- yatati
- strives
- siddhaye
- for perfection
- yatatām
- of those who strive
- api
- even
- siddhānām
- of those who have achieved perfection
- kaścit
- someone
- mām
- me
- vetti
- knows
- tattvataḥ
- in truth
Translations
Among thousands of men, one may perchance strive for perfection; even among those successful strivers, only one may perchance know Me in essence.
Among thousands of men, scarcely one strives for perfection, and even among those who gain occult powers, perhaps only one knows me in truth.
Among thousands of men, a rare one endeavors for perfection. Even among the perfected ones who are diligent, one perchance knows Me in truth.
हजारों मनुष्योंमें कोई एक वास्तविक सिद्धिके लिये यत्न करता है और उन यत्न करनेवाले सिद्धोंमें कोई एक ही मुझे तत्त्वसे जानता है।Commentary
Mark how difficult it is to attain to the knowledge of the Self or to how Brahman in essence. Siddhanam literally means those who have attained to perfection (the perfected ones) but here it means only those who strive to attain perfection. Those who purchase diamonds, rubies or pearls are few. Those who study the postgraduate course are few. Even so those who attempt for Selfrealisation and who actually know the Truth in essence are few only. The liberated ones (Jivanmuktas) are rare.
Real Sadhakas are also rare. The, knowledge of the Self bestows incalculable fruits on man, viz., immortality, eternal bliss, perennial joy and everlasting peace. It is very difficult to attain to this knowledge of the Self. But a good and earnest spiritual aspirant (Sadhaka) who is endowed with a strong determination and iron resolve, and who is eipped with the four means to salvation can easily obtain the knowledge of the Self.