Aṣṭāvakra Saṃhitā
A Dialogue on Self-realization
Chapter 17, Verse 4
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Ashtavakra Gita 17.4 -
यस्तु भोगेषु भुक्तेषु न भवत्यधिवासित: ।
अभुक्तेषु निराकाङ्क्षी तादृशो भवदुर्लभ:
yas-tu bhogeṣu bhukteṣu na bhavaty-adhivāsitaḥ .
abhukteṣu nirākāṅkṣī tādṛśo bhava-durlabhaḥ .. 17-4..
Rare in the world is the one who does not dwell in the delights he has enjoyed and also remains desire-free about delights he has not enjoyed.
Commentary by Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha
The Sage pronounces the right royal way for the seeker to walk and gain his goal of Self-realization. The two points he details are wholesome and full in every way.
To cogitate upon whatever has taken place during their daily interactions is the infectious habit of people in general. The mind is full of such thoughts and emotions. The Sage cautions that this should not be. Seeker must learn to outlive the past. Let not the impressions of the past pester and torment you. To be carefully free of them is one part of spiritual sādhanā.
The other part is also equally important. Do not have any cravings for delights, you have not had. Take life as it comes. When a desire is fulfilled, what verily happens to the mind is that it becomes extinct. So desire-fulfilment means desire-extinction. Why not then strive for lasting desire-extinction and gain lasting fulfilment?
Mind you, contentment is emotional and it belongs to the mind, within. Tap then the very source of contentment, namely the mind, the Self.
These two qualities will enable you to embrace the Self, be embraced by the Self. Do not chew the past cud, and do not crave for things not yet enjoyed. Freed of these, one lives ceaselessly in the Self. Such a one is rare indeed in the world. Choose to be the rarest!
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