Aṣṭāvakra Saṃhitā
A Dialogue on Self-realization
Chapter 3, Verse 8
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Ashtavakra Gita 3.8 -
इहामुत्र विरक्तस्य नित्यानित्यविवेकिन: ।
आश्चर्यं मोक्षकामस्य मोक्षादेव विभीषिका
ihāmutra viraktasya nityānitya-vivekinaḥ .
āścaryaṃ mokṣa-kāmasya mokṣād-eva vibhīṣikā .. 3-8..
It is quaint that one dispassionate about enjoyments of this world and the other, who can discriminate the eternal from the fleeting, who yearns for liberation, becomes frightened by ego-dissolution, which marks liberation, his goal.
Commentary by Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha
Self-realization, leading to liberation, is the outcome of the subtle inner process of introspection and meditative absorption the seeker pursues diligently. Sharp discrimination and resultant dispassion lead the seeker to intensify his pursuit and achieve his goal. True seeker will not be interested in unchecked sensory indulgences, for they are transitory to the core. He is indifferent to all allurements, relating to this world as well as the one above.
Even with such dispassion, some encounter fear about the state of liberation, as it implies ego-effacement, called also as dissolution of ego. They wonder if they lose their ego, then what or who will survive to experience what transpires, primarily the blissfulness of liberation.
Seekers are not discreet enough to understand that the Self is ever enduring and nothing will affect its quality any time. Being pure consciousness, the Self will always reveal itself. It is the Self that makes one feel and say: “I am. I have a body. The world surrounds me.”
When ego gets effaced and true liberation results, the same ‘I’ will survive to experience the fruition, as it does now, and the Knower will live in its light thereafter. Liberational life is most beautiful, enlightening and fulfilling. Where is any doubt in this? Self reigns always undiminished and unmixed!
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