Aṣṭāvakra Saṃhitā
A Dialogue on Self-realization
Chapter 18, Verse 23
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Ashtavakra Gita 18.23 -
कुत्रापि न जिहासास्ति नाशो वापि न कुत्रचित् ।
आत्मारामस्य धीरस्य शीतलाच्छतरात्मन:
kutrāpi na jihāsāsti nāśo vāpi na kutracit .
ātmārāmasya dhīrasya śītalācchatarātmanaḥ .. 18-23..
The wise one who rejoices in the Self, whose mind is quiescent and pure, has no feeling to renounce anything anywhere, nor has he any sense of loss anywhere.
Commentary by Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha
Again a description of the inner state of the Knower, who is exulting in the Self. All the dvandvas which constantly make the mind swing and swerve dubiously have no relevance for him. When the objects, nay the entire world itself, is a non-existence, an illusory display, a mere superimposition on the Self, dvandvas caused by it become totally out of place. The Self as the singular Subject, alone shines every time. Just as the dream objects have no ground other than the sleeper, so too wakeful objects are illusory bubbles floating in the Subject Self.
Where and what can he think of renouncing then? Nor does he feel anything like a loss or gain anywhere.
Despite whatever his body seemingly does, the Knower is sporting in his Self. Knowledge alone is his delight. That never dims or slips. He is pure, gentle and benevolent. All duos like love and hate, pleasure and displeasure, preference and prejudice, have no ground to survive.
He is like endless expanse of space. In place of sensory objects which used to dominate the mind, infusion from the Self overwhelms him profusely. Difference is marked, great, wholesome!
As the mind was spinning and weaving constrictions earlier, it now displays expanse. All constrictions have fled. He shines in his own unsullied inner splendour.
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