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Aṣṭāvakra Saṃhitā
A Dialogue on Self-realization
Poojya Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha
Chapter 16, Verse 8
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Ashtavakra Gita 16.8 -

प्रवृत्तौ जायते रागो निर्वृत्तौ द्वेष एव हि ।
निर्द्वन्द्वो बालवद्धीमानेवमेव व्यवस्थित:

pravṛttau jāyate rāgo nirvṛttau dveṣa eva hi .
nirdvandvo bālavad-dhīmān-evam-eva vyavasthitaḥ .. 16-8..

Activity triggers desire, inactivity causes dislike too. The wise rises above dvandvas and lives and moves like a child.

Commentary by Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha

Pravṛtti, involvement in activity, extends worldly life. Nivṛtti, dis-involvement in activity, on the other hand, conduces to dislike. People generally believe and pursue these, accordingly to their habit or option. But Sage Ashtavakra, characteristic of himself, wants the seeker to focus solely on the unborn, undying and imperishable Self, which being omnipresent gives no room for anything else. The aim of the seeker is to withdraw from all and be restful on the still inner Self. The true seeker should grow utter indifference, as everything is illusory, devoid of real existence.

Any preference breeds desire, and prejudice courts hatred. Both are to be discreetly shunned. Do not take to pravṛtti, activity, as it arouses desire, resulting in torment. Nivṛtti, inactivity, too is equally detestable, as it imbues dislike, hatred. Let the mind not be swayed by either.

In other words, transcend all dvandvas, learn to abide in between the two, as their sovereign substratum. When dvandvas, which tend to occupy and devour the mind, lose their hold, instantly Self on which everything floats, like dream on the sleeper’s consciousness, will irresistibly reveal its spiritual splendour. Instead of sukha and duḥkha, the net outcome of all dvandvas, you will start realizing the vast transparence, the spiritual radiance, the source of all existence and experience. The Subject alone will shine, making objects disappear and be extinct.

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