Chapter 1 · Prathamo’dhyāyaḥ (First Chapter)
Verse 51
मनुष्याणां च यत्तेषां तुल्यमन्यत्तथोभयोः। ज्ञानेऽपि सति पश्यैतान् पतङ्गाञ्छावचञ्चुषु ॥ ५१ ॥
manuṣyāṇāṁ ca yattēṣāṁ tulyamanyattathōbhayōḥ | jñānē’pi sati paśyaitān pataṅgāñchāvacañcuṣu || 51 ||
Translation
'And that which is similar and that which is different between humans and them (animals) is thus in both. Even though they have knowledge, see these insects (moths) rushing into the flame of fire.'
Word by word
- manuṣyāṇām
- of humans
- ca
- and
- yat
- that which
- tēṣām
- of them (the animals)
- tulyam
- equal, similar
- anyat
- other, different
- tathā
- so also
- ubhayōḥ
- of both
- jñāne
- knowledge
- api
- even
- sati
- existing
- paśya
- see, behold
- etān
- these
- pataṅgān
- insects (moths)
- śāvacañcuṣu
- into the flame of fire
Meaning
The sage continues his argument. He states that while there may be superficial differences, the fundamental nature of worldly knowledge is the same in humans and animals. To prove that knowledge does not preclude foolish action, he gives the example of moths (pataṅgān) who, despite knowing better, are irresistibly drawn to their destruction in a flame. This illustrates how instinct and delusion can override basic knowledge.