In plain words
But if Ahaṅkāra covers so subtle a Buddhi, we have to show that Ahaṅkāra is subtler than the Buddhi. This Ahaṅkāra is extremely subtle. It enters everywhere. It enters into all actions as well. That is why man cannot get past this Ahaṅkāra and reach the Ātma. A certain king held a great assembly and invited to it the greatest of scientists and scholars. In that assembly this great king put a question. 'O great scientists, who have made all these authorities of the Vedas, the Śāstras, the Itihāsas and the Purāṇas visible before our eyes, experienced them, rejoiced in them and given them to the world! Among these greatly fortunate men gathered in this assembly, who can attain Mokṣa?' he asked. But though these scholars had much learning, they did not dare to give an answer to it with courage and boldness. The whole assembly in that gathering was struck still. In that silent assembly an ordinary man stood up: 'Mahārāja! If I go, I may go,' he said. All the scholars were filled with great jealousy. 'An ordinary man who knows nothing, no Śāstras, no Itihāsa, no Purāṇa, no Bhagavad Gītā, no Brahma Sūtras, an unlettered man who has never known any wealth of sādhana, boldly says, "If I go, I may go"! Where did this courage come to him from? What has he seen, that he says it? What is the inner meaning of this?' So some whispering began among them. The king drew the man close: 'My son! On what ground did you say, "If I go, I may go"? Is it not as if you have insulted everyone among so many scholars?' he said. 'Mahārāja! Forgive me. The inner meaning of "If I go, I may go" is that if "aham" goes, one may go: that is its sense. Aham. That which is called 'I'. Because this aham joined with ākāra, it turned into Ahaṅkāra. So the inner meaning is that only when the feeling that the body is the Ātma goes does one become fit for Mokṣa.' So in every man, this feeling that the body is the Ātma takes shape as Ahaṅkāra only when it becomes identification with the body. So as long as this Ahaṅkāra is there, Buddhi does not shine. So first of all you must make the right effort to root out the Ahaṅkāra that has covered the Buddhi.