Aṣṭāvakra Saṃhitā
A Dialogue on Self-realization
Chapter 17, Verse 1
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Ashtavakra Gita 17.1 -
सप्तदशोऽध्याय: –
अष्टावक्र उवाच ।
तेन ज्ञानफलं प्राप्तं योगाभ्यासफलं तथा ।
तृप्त: स्वच्छेन्द्रियो नित्यमेकाकी रमते तु य:
saptadaśo’dhyāyaḥ –
aṣṭāvakra uvāca ..
tena jñāna-phalaṃ prāptaṃ yogābhyāsa-phalaṃ tathā .
tṛptaḥ svacchendriyo nityam-ekākī ramate tu yaḥ .. 17-1…
Ashtavakra said: By him is gained the result of knowledge, so too the outcome of yoga, who is contented in heart, whose senses are calm and whoever rejoices in being alone.
Commentary by Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha
What is spirituality, its pursuit? What is the ultimate benefit it offers? How can it be gained by one and all? These are very relevant questions. A conclusive answer to these will determine how covetable and accessible spiritual pursuit is.
The Sage has a very clear and full answer for all these questions. Pursuit of wisdom, jñāna, is the crux of spirituality. It is from beginning to end knowing, getting refined by it every time. Yoga is the next experiential path, which solely rests on one’s own being. Bhagavad Gita is a yoga-śāstra. Every chapter has a yoga name. The concluding lines in each chapter describe Gita as yoga-śāstra. Jñāna and yoga have the same goal.
One gets the result of jñāna and yoga paths, if he is contented always, despite what his external circumstances are. Change occurs outside alone. Inner individual changes not. He ever remains the singular Self. So he can be content always. If the senses also remain calm, undisturbed, and he relishes aloneness too, then he will be rejoicing and exulting ever and ever.
In such a one shines equally the fruit of wisdom as well as yoga. The key for fulfilment is contentment, calm and aloneness!
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