Verse 581

Tap any word for its meaning.

संसाराध्वनि तापभानुकिरणप्रोद्भूतदाहव्यथा -खिन्नानां जलकाङ्क्षया मरुभुवि भ्रान्त्या परिभ्राम्यताम् ।अत्यासन्नसुधाम्बुधिं सुखकरं ब्रह्माद्वयं दर्शय -न्त्येषा शङ्करभारती विजयते निर्वाणसन्दायिनी ॥ ५८१ ॥

In plain words

Think of travelers on the road of samsara, scorched and exhausted by the burning rays of the sun of suffering, stumbling in confusion across a desert, desperate for water. To exactly them, this voice of Shankara shows the ocean of nectar that was always nearer than they knew - the bliss of non-dual Brahman. This teaching stands supreme, and it is what carries a soul all the way to liberation.

Close to the Sanskrit

For those wearied on the path of samsara by the burning pain arisen from the rays of the sun of misery, wandering about in a desert through delusion, longing for water - showing them the very-near, bliss-bestowing ocean of nectar, the non-dual Brahman - this speech of Shankara triumphs, the bestower of liberation.