योगवासिष्ठः yogavāsiṣṭhaḥ - book-7, chapter-160, verse-15

फलाशङ्का मुधैवातिनिष्फला चित्तहारिणी ।
अकालपुष्पमालेव श्रेयसा नाभिनन्दिता ॥ १५ ॥

phalāśaṅkā mudhaivātiniṣphalā cittahāriṇī ,
akālapuṣpamāleva śreyasā nābhinanditā 15

15. phalāśaṅkā mudhā eva atiniṣphalā cittahāriṇī
akālapuṣpamālā iva śreyasā na abhinanditā

15. phalāśaṅkā mudhā eva atiniṣphalā cittahāriṇī
akālapuṣpamālā iva śreyasā na abhinanditā

15. The expectation of any outcome (from ignorance) is truly in vain and utterly fruitless, even though this (ignorance) captivates the mind. It is like a garland of unseasonal flowers, not welcomed by those who seek ultimate spiritual welfare (śreyas).

Words meanings summery:

• फलाशङ्का (phalāśaṅkā) - the misguided hope for positive results from avidyā (expectation of fruit/results, hope for an outcome)

• मुधा (mudhā) - in vain, uselessly, fruitlessly

• एव (eva) - indeed, only, certainly

• अतिनिष्फला (atiniṣphalā) - describing the complete futility of `phalāśaṅkā` (exceedingly fruitless, utterly without result)

• चित्तहारिणी (cittahāriṇī) - describing avidyā's deceptive allure (captivating the mind, charming the heart)

• अकालपुष्पमाला (akālapuṣpamālā) - simile for the deceptive and unwelcome nature of avidyā's offerings (a garland of unseasonal flowers)

• इव (iva) - like, as, as if

• श्रेयसा (śreyasā) - by those who prioritize spiritual welfare over fleeting pleasure (by the good, by ultimate welfare, by those seeking ultimate good)

• न (na) - not, no

• अभिनन्दिता (abhinanditā) - not welcomed or approved by those seeking ultimate good (welcomed, approved, praised)

Words meanings and morphology

फलाशङ्का (phalāśaṅkā) - the misguided hope for positive results from avidyā (expectation of fruit/results, hope for an outcome)

(noun)

Nominative, feminine, singular of phalāśaṅkā

phalāśaṅkā - expectation of result, hope for fruit

`phala` (fruit/result) + `āśaṅkā` (expectation/apprehension).

Compound type : tatpuruṣa (phala+āśaṅkā)

• phala – fruit, result, consequence
  noun (neuter)
• āśaṅkā – apprehension, doubt, expectation, hope
  noun (feminine)
  From `ā-śaṅk` (to doubt, to expect).
  Prefix: ā
  Root: śaṅk (class 1)

Note: Subject of the sentence.

मुधा (mudhā) - in vain, uselessly, fruitlessly

(indeclinable)

एव (eva) - indeed, only, certainly

(indeclinable)

अतिनिष्फला (atiniṣphalā) - describing the complete futility of `phalāśaṅkā` (exceedingly fruitless, utterly without result)

(adjective)

Nominative, feminine, singular of atiniṣphala

atiniṣphala - exceedingly fruitless, utterly unproductive

`ati` (exceedingly) modifying `niṣphala` (fruitless).

Compound type : tatpuruṣa (ati+niṣphala)

• ati – beyond, over, excessively
  indeclinable
  Prefix intensifying meaning.
• niṣphala – fruitless, unproductive, useless
  adjective (masculine)
  `nis` (without) + `phala` (fruit).

Note: Predicate adjective for `phalāśaṅkā`.

चित्तहारिणी (cittahāriṇī) - describing avidyā's deceptive allure (captivating the mind, charming the heart)

(adjective)

Nominative, feminine, singular of cittahārin

cittahārin - mind-stealing, heart-captivating, charming

agent noun/adjective

`citta` (mind) + `hārin` (stealing/captivating). From root `hṛ` (to seize, carry, charm).

Compound type : tatpuruṣa (citta+hārin)

• citta – mind, thought, heart
  noun (neuter)
• hārin – carrying off, stealing, captivating, charming
  adjective (masculine)
  agent noun/adjective
  From root `hṛ` (to seize, carry, charm).
  Root: hṛ (class 1)

Note: Modifies `phalāśaṅkā` (or implicitly, avidyā).

अकालपुष्पमाला (akālapuṣpamālā) - simile for the deceptive and unwelcome nature of avidyā's offerings (a garland of unseasonal flowers)

(noun)

Nominative, feminine, singular of akālapuṣpamālā

akālapuṣpamālā - a garland of flowers that bloom out of season

`akāla` (unseasonal) modifying `puṣpa` (flower), and then combined with `mālā` (garland).

Compound type : tatpuruṣa (akāla+puṣpa+mālā)

• akāla – unseasonal, untimely, wrong time
  adjective/noun (masculine)
  `a` (not) + `kāla` (time/season).
• puṣpa – flower, blossom
  noun (neuter)
• mālā – garland, wreath, string
  noun (feminine)

Note: Part of a simile for `phalāśaṅkā` or avidyā.

इव (iva) - like, as, as if

(indeclinable)

श्रेयसा (śreyasā) - by those who prioritize spiritual welfare over fleeting pleasure (by the good, by ultimate welfare, by those seeking ultimate good)

(noun)

Instrumental, neuter, singular of śreyas

śreyas - welfare, good, ultimate good, spiritual prosperity

Note: Agent of `nābhinanditā`.

न (na) - not, no

(indeclinable)

अभिनन्दिता (abhinanditā) - not welcomed or approved by those seeking ultimate good (welcomed, approved, praised)

(adjective)

Nominative, feminine, singular of abhinandita

abhinandita - welcomed, applauded, praised, approved

Past Passive Participle

Derived from verb `abhi-nand` (to rejoice, welcome, approve) with past passive participle suffix `-ta`.

Prefix: abhi

Root: nad (class 1)

Note: Modifies `phalāśaṅkā` or implicitly avidyā.