Upanishads · Mahā 4.37
॥
Devanāgarī
रमते धीर्यताप्राप्ते साध्वीवाऽन्तःपुराजिरे सा जीवन्मुक्ततोदेति स्वरूपानन्ददायिनी
Transliteration (IAST)
ramate dhīryatāprāpte sādhvīvā'ntaḥpurājire sā jīvanmuktatodeti svarūpānandadāyinī
Word-by-word
SanskritIASTMeaning
रमते धीः यता-अप्राप्तेramate dhīḥ yatā-aprāptethe reason rejoices, restrained, in the unattained; the understanding finds delight, subdued, at what was not received
साध्वी वा अन्तःपुर-अजिरेsādhvī vā antaḥpura-ajirelike a faithful wife in the inner court; just as a virtuous spouse in the inner yard
सा जीवन्मुक्तता उदेतिsā jīvanmuktatā udetithat liberation-in-life arises; that freedom while yet alive comes forth
स्वरूप-आनन्द-दायिनीsvarūpa-ānanda-dāyinībestowing the bliss of one's own nature; granting the delight of one's proper essence
Translation
“When the restrained reason rejoices even in what has not come to it — as a faithful wife rejoices in the inner court — there arises liberation in life, bestowing the bliss of one's own nature.”
Version
aa77d1e4a07f · published Jul 29, 2026, 6:29:20 AM UTC
Available inRUENPage between verses with
A homely comparison, and rare in this book for its warmth.
A faithful wife in the inner court does not pine for what is beyond the wall. She is well there — not because the walls are strong, but because she is not straining away.
The image deserves special note after the third chapter, where women were spoken of otherwise. Here a woman is the model of virtue, and that virtue is named sādhvī — the same word as the sādhu of the fourth gatekeeper.
The comparison's sense: rejoice where you stand, not where you are not admitted.
And the conclusion: from such contentment jīvanmuktatā — liberation in life — “arises”.
Arises of itself. It is not procured: it simply turns out that this is what it is. Contentment and freedom are one thing, seen from two sides.