Aṣṭāvakra Saṃhitā
A Dialogue on Self-realization
Chapter 9
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Sage Ashtavakra continues to instruct king Janaka saying that the illusory world brings the sense of duty and non-duty, right and wrong, life and death, and other dual notions. Since this process never ends, the seeker is urged to abandon desires and cultivate renunciation through indifference.
Though the transitory nature of worldly objects is evident, few develop true dispassion or turn toward the bliss of the Self. Delusional clinging dominates human life. The Sage advises cultivating discrimination and dispassion early, recognizing the world as transient, marked by suffering, unsubstantial and ultimately unworthy of attachment. Such understanding leads the wise toward inner quietude.
Ashtavakra emphasizes that dualities never fully cease. Spiritual maturity lies in accepting with harmony and poise whatever life brings. After hearing the varied teachings of saints and yogis, the seeker must turn inward, making the Self the sole focus. A calm mind and clear intelligence become essential for realization.
The true Guru is one established in pure Consciousness, embodying indifference and equanimity, and capable of guiding others beyond worldliness. Knowing that desires create bondage, the seeker renounces attachment to objects and subtle impressions. When desires dissolve, freedom arises naturally, allowing one to live joyfully, anywhere and in any circumstance.
नवमोऽध्याय: –
अष्टावक्र उवाच ।
कृताकृते च द्वन्द्वानि कदा शान्तानि कस्य वा ।
एवं ज्ञात्वेह निर्वेदाद्भव त्यागपरोऽव्रती
navamo’dhyāyaḥ –
aṣṭāvakra uvāca ..
kṛtākṛte ca dvandvāni kadā śāntāni kasya vā .
evaṃ jñātveha nirvedād-bhava tyāga-paro’vratī .. 9-1..
Ashtavakra said: Will duties performed and not, as well as pairs of opposites, ever end and for whom? Knowing that this is so, be desire-free here and resort to renunciation by dint of indifference.
कस्यापि तात धन्यस्य लोकचेष्टावलोकनात् ।
जीवितेच्छा बुभुक्षा च बुभुत्सोपशमं गता
kasyāpi tāta dhanyasya loka-ceṣṭāvalokanāt .
jīvitecchā bubhukṣā ca bubhutsopaśamaṃ gatāḥ .. 9-2..
By noticing the involvements and indulgences of people, dear son, has the desire for life, enjoyment and knowledge subsided for any fortunate person?
अनित्यं सर्वमेवेदं तापत्रितयदूषितम् ।
असारं निन्दितं हेयमिति निश्चित्य शाम्यति
anityaṃ sarvam-evedaṃ tāpa-tritaya-dūṣitam .
asāraṃ ninditaṃ heyam-iti niścitya śāmyati .. 9-3..
The wise one becomes quiescent by resolving that all this is transient, tainted by threefold misery, unsubstantial, despicable, hence to be abandoned outright.
कोऽसौ कालो वय: किं वा यत्र द्वन्द्वानि नो नृणाम् ।
तान्युपेक्ष्य यथाप्राप्तवर्ती सिद्धिमवाप्नुयात्
ko’sau kālo vayaḥ kiṃ vā yatra dvandvāni no nṛṇām .
tāny-upekṣya yathāprāpta-vartī siddhim-avāpnuyāt .. 9-4..
What is the time and age, when humans will not have to face dvandvas? Therefore, if one, abandoning them all, follows whatever chance brings, he attains spiritual perfection.
नाना मतं महर्षीणां साधूनां योगिनां तथा ।
दृष्ट्वा निर्वेदमापन्न: को न शाम्यति मानव:
nānā mataṃ maharṣīṇāṃ sādhūnāṃ yogināṃ tathā .
dṛṣṭvā nirvedam-āpannaḥ ko na śāmyati mānavaḥ .. 9-5..
Having seen the varied views of great ascetic seers, saints and yogis, which person having gained indifference does not achieve quietitude/quiescence?
कृत्वा मूर्तिपरिज्ञानं चैतन्यस्य न किं गुरु: ।
निर्वेदसमतायुक्त्या यस्तारयति संसृते:
kṛtvā mūrti-parijñānaṃ caitanyasya na kiṃ guruḥ .
nirveda-samatā-yuktyā yas-tārayati saṃsṛteḥ .. 9-6..
Is not the one, who, having gained a full knowledge of Pure Consciousness, possessing qualities of indifference and equanimity, takes people across worldliness, the real Guru?
पश्य भूतविकारांस्त्वं भूतमात्रान् यथार्थत: ।
तत्क्षणाद्बन्धनिर्मुक्त: स्वरूपस्थो भविष्यसि
paśya bhūta-vikārāṃs-tvaṃ bhūta-mātrān yathārthataḥ .
tat-kṣaṇād-bandha-nirmuktaḥ svarūpastho bhaviṣyasi ..
Look at the modifications in the pañca-bhūtas as verily the primary elements themselves, (namely śabda-sparṣa-rasa-rūpa-gandha). Instantly one will be freed from all bondage and will start abiding in his own true nature.
वासना एव संसार इति सर्वा विमुञ्च ता: ।
तत्त्यागो वासनात्यागात्स्थितिरद्य यथा तथा
vāsanā eva saṃsāra iti sarvā vimuñca tāḥ .
tat-tyāgo vāsanā-tyāgāt-sthitir-adya yathā tathā .. 9-8..
Knowing that desires make the world, renounce them outright. By relinquishing desires is the world renounced. Now, live wherever you want.
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