योगवासिष्ठः yogavāsiṣṭhaḥ - book-2, chapter-18, verse-40

चित्रसर्पः परिज्ञातो न सर्पभयदो यथा ।
दृश्यसर्पः परिज्ञातस्तथा न सुखदुःखदः ॥ ४० ॥

citrasarpaḥ parijñāto na sarpabhayado yathā ,
dṛśyasarpaḥ parijñātastathā na sukhaduḥkhadaḥ 40

40. citrasarpaḥ parijñātaḥ na sarpabhayadaḥ yathā
dṛśyasarpaḥ parijñātaḥ tathā na sukhaduḥkhadaḥ

40. yathā citrasarpaḥ parijñātaḥ (san) sarpabhayadaḥ na (bhavati),
tathā dṛśyasarpaḥ parijñātaḥ (san) sukhaduḥkhadaḥ na (bhavati)

40. Just as a snake in a picture, when recognized as such, does not cause the fear of a real snake, similarly, the perceived world (dṛśyasarpa), once its true nature is understood, does not bring about joy or sorrow.

Words meanings summery:

• चित्रसर्पः (citrasarpaḥ) - painted snake, snake in a picture

• परिज्ञातः (parijñātaḥ) - known, understood, recognized

• न (na) - not, no

• सर्पभयदः (sarpabhayadaḥ) - fear-giving of a snake, one who causes snake-fear

• यथा (yathā) - just as, as

• दृश्यसर्पः (dṛśyasarpaḥ) - the phenomenal world, seen as if a snake (perceived snake, visible snake)

• परिज्ञातः (parijñātaḥ) - known, understood, recognized

• तथा (tathā) - similarly, so, thus

• न (na) - not, no

• सुखदुःखदः (sukhaduḥkhadaḥ) - giver of joy and sorrow, causing happiness and misery

Words meanings and morphology

चित्रसर्पः (citrasarpaḥ) - painted snake, snake in a picture

(noun)

Nominative, masculine, singular of citrasarpa

citrasarpa - painted snake, snake in a picture

Compound type : tatpuruṣa (citra+sarpa)

• citra – picture, painting, variegated
  noun (neuter)
• sarpa – snake, serpent
  noun (masculine)
  From √sṛp (to creep)
  Root: sṛp (class 1)

Note: Subject of the first clause of the simile.

परिज्ञातः (parijñātaḥ) - known, understood, recognized

(adjective)

Nominative, masculine, singular of parijñāta

parijñāta - known, understood, recognized

Past Passive Participle

From pari-√jñā (to know thoroughly)

Prefix: pari

Root: jñā (class 9)

Note: Acts as a conditional clause ('when recognized').

न (na) - not, no

(indeclinable)

Note: Negates the predicate 'sarpabhayadaḥ'.

सर्पभयदः (sarpabhayadaḥ) - fear-giving of a snake, one who causes snake-fear

(adjective)

Nominative, masculine, singular of sarpabhayada

sarpabhayada - giving snake-fear, causing fear of a snake

Compound type : tatpuruṣa (sarpa+bhaya+da)

• sarpa – snake, serpent
  noun (masculine)
  From √sṛp (to creep)
  Root: sṛp (class 1)
• bhaya – fear, dread
  noun (neuter)
  From √bhī (to fear)
  Root: bhī (class 3)
• da – giving, bestowing, causing
  adjective (masculine)
  agent noun
  From √dā (to give)
  Root: dā (class 1)

Note: Predicate adjective for 'citrasarpaḥ'.

यथा (yathā) - just as, as

(indeclinable)

Note: Connects the two parts of the simile.

दृश्यसर्पः (dṛśyasarpaḥ) - the phenomenal world, seen as if a snake (perceived snake, visible snake)

(noun)

Nominative, masculine, singular of dṛśyasarpa

dṛśyasarpa - visible snake, perceived snake

Compound type : tatpuruṣa (dṛśya+sarpa)

• dṛśya – visible, perceived, object of sight
  adjective (masculine)
  Gerundive
  From √dṛś (to see)
  Root: dṛś (class 1)
• sarpa – snake, serpent
  noun (masculine)
  From √sṛp (to creep)
  Root: sṛp (class 1)

Note: Subject of the second clause.

परिज्ञातः (parijñātaḥ) - known, understood, recognized

(adjective)

Nominative, masculine, singular of parijñāta

parijñāta - known, understood, recognized

Past Passive Participle

From pari-√jñā (to know thoroughly)

Prefix: pari

Root: jñā (class 9)

Note: Acts as a conditional clause ('when understood').

तथा (tathā) - similarly, so, thus

(indeclinable)

Note: Connects the two parts of the simile.

न (na) - not, no

(indeclinable)

Note: Negates the predicate 'sukhaduḥkhadaḥ'.

सुखदुःखदः (sukhaduḥkhadaḥ) - giver of joy and sorrow, causing happiness and misery

(adjective)

Nominative, masculine, singular of sukhaduḥkhada

sukhaduḥkhada - giving joy and sorrow, causing happiness and misery

Compound type : dvandva-tatpuruṣa (sukha+duḥkha+da)

• sukha – joy, happiness, pleasure
  noun (neuter)
• duḥkha – sorrow, pain, misery
  noun (neuter)
• da – giving, bestowing, causing
  adjective (masculine)
  agent noun
  From √dā (to give)
  Root: dā (class 1)

Note: Predicate adjective for 'dṛśyasarpaḥ'.