Ashtavakra Gita 12.5 -

Janaka extends the attitude of indifference and the perception of total Oneness, comprehensiveness of the Self, to every aspect of life including his own mind. Intention is to confirm and reinforce Self-knowledge so well that the Knower will not slip from it to the least. Such exclusive fullness is possible. Seekers have to imbibe this message with devout earnestness.

Human life is divided into four stages. Brahmacharya, the first educational phase, gārhasthya, married, household life, vāna-prastha, leaving household to remain austere and ascetic, and sannyāsa, renunciation of everything outer and inner, enjoying inner spiritual Oneness and abundance. Every one has to be in one of these four any time. Normally people go through only the first two, avoiding the second half of life. But this is not the intention at all. Human life attains its maturity and fullness, only when one pursues vāna-prastha and sannyāsa too.

Viewed well, these stages also fall within dvandvas. As every stage has its own rules and regulations, it inhibits one’s intrinsic freedom and fullness. Janaka eschews them all.

When one realizes the comprehensiveness of Self, where and what is to be embraced or left? Can the Self change in, or for any stage? As sleep remains the same, the Self also.

Each ashrama is meant to lead to Self-realization and liberation! When the objective is gained, why adhere to anyone of them? Be like air and sea. Let the mind float in the ecstasy of freedom exclusively. Let not the attention falter.

Let any thought or concept come to the mind and leave afterwards. As the blood circulates, is not the mind expected to revolve the thought process? No thought survives. By seeing colours do the eyes become tainted or coloured?

Get away from all ideas of affectation. The luminous you, are always luminous. Realize this unaffectable singularness. Live and move enjoying and radiating fulfilment. Nothing short of it will mean your freedom. Human life is lofty, only because of this inner potential, privilege and fortune. Realize it well and be an embodiment of spiritual wisdom, its grace and grandeur!