Aṣṭāvakra Saṃhitā
A Dialogue on Self-realization
Chapter 2, Verse 17
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Ashtavakra Gita 2.17 - Self-Realization and the Nature of Consciousness
बोधमात्रोऽहमज्ञानादुपाधि: कल्पितो मया ।
एवं विमृशतो नित्यं निर्विकल्पे स्थितिर्मम
bodha-mātro’ham-ajñānād-upādhiḥ kalpito mayā .
evaṃ vimṛśato nityaṃ nirvikalpe sthitir-mama .. 2-17..
I am Consciousness alone; due to ignorance I imagine and impose limitations like mind, intelligence, etc. Ruminating deeply like this, I abide in absolute Consciousness, without doubt.
Commentary by Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha
The purpose of introspection is to engage the mind and intelligence wholesomely within the body, with no external association or interaction. And the subject for introspection is the Self, the Consciousness, itself. So, there is no scope for any kind of deflection or distraction. Thus truthful introspection, when properly done, has the effect of first involving the mind and intelligence exclusively and then dissolving their very functions, to reach at the very source of all experiences and interactions, as they are centred within the body.
To reach at the source of experience is verily to get at the source of everything. When by introspection, one dissolves all mental and intelligential processes, he reaches at the supreme source of creation itself.
This is what Janaka refers to. Deep introspection, says he, has dissolved all impositions like the mind and intelligence. As a result, Janaka says, he is abiding in absolute Consciousness. Different from all the other displays, duality, it is the non-dual presence, the supreme Self.
He realizes the Subject of all objects, the one ever-present Reality, the source of everything, the supreme non-dual bodha, Consciousness, beyond which one can never proceed. That is the finale of spiritual sādhanā. “From where mind and speech recoil…” declares Taittireeya (Brahmananda Valli 9.1 ).
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