Aṣṭāvakra Saṃhitā
A Dialogue on Self-realization
Chapter 18, Verse 97
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Ashtavakra Gita 18.97 -
विक्षेपेऽपि न विक्षिप्त: समाधौ न समाधिमान् ।
जाड्येऽपि न जडो धन्य: पाण्डित्येऽपि न पण्डित:
vikṣepe’pi na vikṣiptaḥ samādhau na samādhimān .
jāḍye’pi na jaḍo dhanyaḥ pāṇḍitye’pi na paṇḍitaḥ..18-97..
The fortunate one is not distracted even in distraction, not meditative even in meditative absorption, even in sunken-ness not inert or insentient, not a scholar even in copious erudition.
Commentary by Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha
Like the other verses this too pictures the acme of fullness and abundance spiritual wisdom brings. All our knowledge is based upon the world our senses perceive. Senses can operate only in the object world. But what we seek to describe is the presence inside our body, which senses cannot access. In other words, what we have is object knowledge. What we seek to explain is the Subject, its knowledge, benefit and excellences. Is this possible and can it be appropriate? Nonetheless, having no other means, we somehow strive to drive home the benefits of Self-realization. The discussion is bound to be strange, unfamiliar and even queer. It cannot be otherwise. Nevertheless, if you are keen and persist in your efforts, the explanations will make sense and the seeker will be able to gain spiritual fulfilment.
In the context of the Self and its non-dualness, is distraction possible? Distract what, to what? Can thought distract the mind? Are not both the same? Where are many thoughts? Where are they situated? Can the waves distract the sea?
Is any samadhi possible? Samadhi of what, in what? There is in all, only one Self. What scholarship can be there about it? Does the Self want to be a scholar? All words of comparison and contrast have to recede admitting their impotence to describe or explain the Self and its supreme majesty.
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