Master Umāsvāmi’s

Aphorisms on the Nature of Reality

WITH HINDI AND ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Composed by the venerable Master Umāsvāmi

Aphorisms on the Nature of Reality

* Invocation *

Known in Sanskrit as the "Mangalācharan," this is a traditional prayer for auspiciousness at the start of a literary work.

I bow to the leader of the path to liberation, the piercer of the mountains of karma,

The knower of the realities of the universe, so that I may attain those very qualities.

original Sanskrit: "Mokṣamārgasya netāraṃ bhettāraṃ karmabhūbhṛtām | jñātāraṃ viśvatattvānāṃ vande tadguṇalabdhaye ||"

The promoter of the path to liberation, the piercer or destroyer of the mountains of karmaThe subtle matter or energy generated by actions that binds the soul to the cycle of rebirth., and the knower of all the principles of the universe (the Trustworthy One)—I bow to him and offer my salutations for the purpose of attaining his divine qualities.

I bow to the Lord, the promoter of the path to liberation, the destroyer of mountains of karmasmountains: large heaps of accumulated past actions and the knower of the whole of reality, so that I may realize these qualities.

Glossary of key terms from the text: Master Umāsvāmi, Aphorisms on the Nature of Reality (Tattvārthsūtra), Invocation (Mangalācharan), Path to Liberation (Mokshamārga), Action/Destiny (Karma), Reality/Principle (Tattva)