Verse 2.581

Sanskrit text and transliteration:

सुखदुःखादिसम्बद्धमात्माऽऽत्मानं न वेत्ति चेत् ।
भवतो मुमुक्षुता कस्माद्विस्रम्भादेतदुच्यताम् ॥ ५८१ ॥

sukhaduḥkhādisambaddhamātmā''tmānaṃ na vetti cet |
bhavato mumukṣutā kasmādvisrambhādetaducyatām || 581 ||

English translation of verse 2.581:

If the Self does not see itself as subject to pleasure, pain, etc., how a seeker of mokṣa is possible for you may be explained with due consideration.

Notes:

This verse states the objection of the opponent.

According to Advaita, the jīva in its essential nature is non-different from Brahman. It is also maintained that Brahman which is ever-free is not subject to pleasure and pain, which characterize the condition of bondage. Such a standpoint, argues the opponent, involves several difficulties. If Brahman is never subject to bondage, why should the Advaitin speak about the cessation of bondage resulting from knowledge? Since there is nothing other than Brahman, and since Brahman is eternally free from bondage, there is strictly speaking no saṃsārin if one accepts the standpoint of non-duality. If so, there cannot be any seeker after liberation. If there is no spiritual aspirant desirous of liberation. Scripture will become useless. The opponent, therefore, concludes that the standpoint of Advaita which is vitiated by several difficulties cannot be accepted.