Aṣṭāvakra Saṃhitā
A Dialogue on Self-realization
Chapter 7
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In this Chapter, King Janaka describes his realization as an infinite ocean in which the universe moves like a boat driven by its own wind. Waves of the universe arise and subside naturally within this vastness, yet they cause neither addition nor reduction to the Self. Ever full and all-pervading, the Self remains undisturbed.
Janaka explains that the universe is merely an imagination appearing in the infinite ocean of Consciousness. The self-realized knower, established in this understanding, remains peaceful, formless and untouched by change.
He further declares that the Self is infinite and taintless. It is not contained in objects, nor are objects truly contained in the Self. Abiding in this knowledge, he becomes unattached and free from desire.
The world is seen as imagery, like a magician’s display. Knowing “I am Consciousness alone,” Janaka transcends all conventional distinctions such as acceptable and rejectable, good and bad, virtue and vice, heaven and hell.
सप्तमोऽध्याय: –
जनक उवाच ।
मय्यनन्तमहाम्भोधौ विश्वपोत इतस्तत: ।
भ्रमति स्वान्तवातेन न ममास्त्यसहिष्णुता
saptamo’dhyāyaḥ –
janaka uvāca ..
mayy-ananta-mahāmbhodhau viśva-pota itas-tataḥ .
bhramati svānta-vātena na mamāsty-asahiṣṇutā .. 7-1..
Janaka said: In me, the infinite ocean, the boat of the universe swings hither and thither propelled by its own wind. I do not feel intolerant.
मय्यनन्तमहाम्भोधौ जगद्वीचि: स्वभावत: ।
उदेतु वास्तमायातु न मे वृद्धिर्न च क्षति:
mayy-ananta-mahāmbhodhau jagad-vīciḥ svabhāvataḥ .
udetu vāstamāyātu na me vṛddhir-na ca kṣatiḥ .. 7-2..
In me the infinite ocean, let the waves of the universe naturally emerge or set. For me there is neither increase nor reduction.
मय्यनन्तमहाम्भोधौ विश्वं नाम विकल्पना ।
अतिशान्तो निराकार एतदेवाहमास्थित:
mayy-ananta-mahāmbhodhau viśvaṃ nāma vikalpanā .
ati-śānto nirākāra etad-evāham-āsthitaḥ .. 7-3..
In me the infinite Ocean, what we call the universe is a mere imagination. So, I am extremely peaceful, form-free. I abide in this realization.
नात्मा भावेषु नो भावस्तत्रानन्ते निरञ्जने ।
इत्यसक्तोऽस्पृह: शान्त एतदेवाहमास्थित:
nātmā bhāveṣu no bhāvas-tatrānante nirañjane .
ity-asakto’spṛhaḥ śānta etad-evāham-āsthitaḥ .. 7-4..
The Self is not in objects, and objects too are not in the Self, for it is infinite, taintless. Being so, it is unattached and desire-free. I am seated in such a Self.
अहो चिन्मात्रमेवाहमिन्द्रजालोपमं जगत् ।
अतो मम कथं कुत्र हेयोपादेयकल्पना
aho cin-mātram-evāham-indra-jālopamaṃ jagat .
ato mama kathaṃ kutra heyopādeya-kalpanā .. 7-5..
Ah, I am sentience, Consciousness, alone, indeed. The phenomenal world is a magician’s production. Being so, how and where can I have ideas like the acceptable and rejectable?
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