Aṣṭāvakra Saṃhitā
A Dialogue on Self-realization
Chapter 18, Verse 58
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Ashtavakra Gita 18.58 -
अकुर्वन्नपि सङ्क्षोभाद्व्यग्र: सर्वत्र मूढधी: ।
कुर्वन्नपि तु कृत्यानि कुशलो हि निराकुल:
akurvann-api saṅkṣobhād-vyagraḥ sarvatra mūḍha-dhīḥ .
kurvann-api tu kṛtyāni kuśalo hi nirākulaḥ .. 18-58..
The ignorant one though not doing anything, gets everywhere stirred up violently due to severe tension. Whereas the skilful, dexterous, one, though doing all duties well, is indeed free of grief and agitation.
Commentary by Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha
To remain active is indispensable not for humans alone, but also for all creatures of the world, a point all seekers should know well and abide by. Even the body will not be healthy, if you shun activity altogether. The world is full of minute and majestic activities. The kārmic wheel of the world is constantly revolving. Every one is but a cog in it, to be ever active. None can escape activity. Such is the hold of Nature on every one (Gita 3.4,5, 6,8,16 ).
Spirituality makes one properly enlightened. It takes the stress and strain off the mind, making one relaxed and harmonious with himself and the world around. For him activity is relaxing and fulfilling. The ignorant alone gets deluded and blames activity, wanting to escape or substitute it somehow. This is utterly wrong.
Ashtavakra Maharshi says that by not doing activity, the ignorant remains always intensely tense. His mind gets stirred up violently. The one with right spiritual insight does not resent activity at all. He welcomes and takes to all necessary activities. He finds involvements interesting and stimulating.
The difference between the ignorant and the wise is attitudinal. Ignorance constricts and deludes the mind, hence the joy of involvement is grievously absent. Knowledge stimulates the mind and illumines the intelligence, delivering happiness, enthusiasm and fulfilment.
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