Upanishads · Mahā 5.65
॥
Devanāgarī
संसारवासनाजाले खगजाल इवाधुना त्रोटिते हृदयग्रन्थौ श्लथे वैराग्यरंहसा
Transliteration (IAST)
saṃsāravāsanājāle khagajāla ivādhunā troṭite hṛdayagranthau ślathe vairāgyaraṃhasā
Word-by-word
SanskritIASTMeaning
संसार-वासना-जालेsaṃsāra-vāsanā-jālewhen the net of the round's vāsanās; when the toils of the whirl's inclinations
खग-जाले इव अधुनाkhaga-jāle iva adhunālike a fowler's net, now; just like a bird-net, at present
त्रोटिते हृदय-ग्रन्थौtroṭite hṛdaya-granthauis torn, and the knot of the heart; are ripped, and the heart's knot
श्लथे वैराग्य-रंहसाślathe vairāgya-raṃhasāis loosened by the rush of dispassion; is slackened by the onrush of detachment
Translation
“…when the net of the round's vāsanās is torn like a fowler's net, and the knot of the heart is loosened by the rush of dispassion…”
Version
d836e4d130b1 · published Jul 29, 2026, 6:29:20 AM UTC
Available inRUENPage between verses with
The list continues, and in it two images, both from the third chapter.
The fowler's net is the vāgurā of 3.45, where Kāma the hunter laid snares for the man-birds. Now the net is torn.
The knot of the heart is from the Muṇḍaka, cited in 4.81.
Note the difference of verbs. The net is troṭita — “torn”, at a stroke. The knot is ślatha — “loosened, slackened”, gradually.
The distinction is truly observed. Outer bonds tear quickly: in one day a man can leave house and property. The inner knot does not tear so; it only slackens.
And the cause is named: vairāgya-raṃhas — “the rush of dispassion”. The word raṃhas means “speed, impetus, onrush”.
Renunciation is depicted not as coldness but as impetus.