Aṣṭāvakra Saṃhitā
A Dialogue on Self-realization
Chapter 13, Verse 7
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Ashtavakra Gita 13.7 -
सुखादिरूपा नियमं भावेष्वालोक्य भूरिश: ।
शुभाशुभे विहायास्मादहमासे यथासुखम्
sukhādirūpā niyamaṃ bhāveṣvālokya bhūriśaḥ .
śubhāśubhe vihāyāsmād-aham-āse yathā-sukham .. 13-7..
Noticing repeatedly the indefinite nature of happiness and unhappiness in different circumstances, relinquishing the ideas of auspiciousness and inauspiciousness, I am comfortably poised in unconditioned blissfulness.
Commentary by Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha
Sukhas and duḥkhas are never constant. When you are hungry, the food you eat is very delicious. Hunger appeased, the same food becomes repulsive. You prefer warm clothes when it is cold. But when it gets hotter, you are forced to remove them.
Happiness and unhappiness depend upon oneself and the circumstances around. All disciplines and preferences are resorted to only to gain happiness and comfort. But if their outcome is variable, and cannot be relied upon, of what use and relevance are the values and restraints?
We evolve and adhere to various standards and values with a view to help and facilitate life. But when spiritual pursuit gets more focused, the seeker finds all these aids falling short of his ultimate goal. This is how Krishna says that all dvandvas are to be suspended and dissolved (Gita 2.38, 50 ).
True spiritual wisdom and its dedicated pursuit consist in realizing the irrelevance of dvandvas and transcending them by developing a greater attunement to the wholesome Self. Such surpassing will make the reactional world virtually non-existent.
The seeker becomes so free, relaxed and light that he begins to rest in his own inner, undimming spiritual splendour.
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