tataḥ padaṁ tat parimārgitavyaṁ yasmin gatā na nivartanti bhūyaḥ tam eva cādyaṁ puruṣaṁ prapadye yataḥ pravṛttiḥ prasṛtā purāṇī
"Then that state must be sought, reaching which one returns not again, saying: 'I take refuge in that primeval Person from whom streamed forth this ancient current of creation.'"
What This Means:
After cutting the tree of bondage, seek that supreme state from which no one returns. Take refuge in that original Being from whom all creation originally flowed forth.
Going Deeper:
'Tataḥ padam tat parimārgitavyam'—then that state must be sought. 'Yasmin gatāḥ na nivartanti bhūyaḥ'—reaching which, one doesn't return again (final liberation). The approach: 'tam eva ādyam puruṣam prapadye'—I take refuge in that primal Person. 'Yataḥ pravṛttiḥ prasṛtā purāṇī'—from whom this ancient activity (creation) streamed forth. Seek the source, not the branches.
How To Apply This:
After releasing attachments (cutting the tree), actively seek the source. This isn't passive but deliberate: 'I take refuge in the original cause.' Liberation isn't just freedom from bondage but movement toward the Divine.
Key Sanskrit Terms: