Ashtavakra Gita

Translated by JOHN RICHARDS

TRANSLATOR'S INTRODUCTION The Ashtavakra Gita, or the Ashtavakra Samhita as it is so eti es !alled" is a very an!ient Sanskrit te#t$ Nothin% see s to be kno&n abo't the a'thor" tho'%h tradition as!ribes it to the sa%e Ashtavakra( hen!e the na e$ There is little do'bt tho'%h that it is very old" )robably datin% ba!k to the days o* the !lassi! +edanta )eriod$ The Sanskrit style and the do!trine e#)ressed &o'ld see to &arrant this assess ent$ The &ork &as kno&n" a))re!iated" and ,'oted by Ra akrishna and his dis!i)le +ivekananda"as &ell as by Ra ana -aharshi" &hile Radhakrishnan al&ays re*ers to it &ith %reat res)e!t$ A)art *ro that the &ork s)eaks *or itsel*$ It )resents the traditional tea!hin%s o* Advaita +edanta &ith a !larity and )o&er very rarely at!hed$ The translation here is by John Ri!hards" and is )resented to the )'bli! do ain &ith his a**e!tion$ The &ork has been a !onstant ins)iration in his li*e *or any years$ -ay it be so *or any others$ John Ri!hards Sta!k)ole .lidor" U/

Ashtavakra Gita
Janaka said: Ho& is one to a!,'ire kno&led%e0 Ho& is one to attain liberation0 And ho& is one to rea!h dis)assion0 Tell e this" sir$ 1$1 Ashtavakra said:

I* yo' are seekin% liberation" y son" avoid the ob2e!ts o* the senses like )oison and !'ltivate toleran!e" sin!erity" !o )assion" !ontent ent" and tr'th*'lness as the antidote$ 1$3 4o' do not !onsist o* any o* the ele ents 55 earth" &ater" *ire" air" or even ether$ To be liberated" kno& yo'rsel* as !onsistin% o* !ons!io'sness" the &itness o* these$ 1$6 I* only yo' &ill re ain restin% in !ons!io'sness" seein% yo'rsel* as distin!t *ro the body" then even no& yo' &ill be!o e ha))y" )ea!e*'l and *ree *ro bonds$ 1$7 4o' do not belon% to the brah in or any other !aste" yo' are not at any sta%e" nor are yo' anythin% that the eye !an see$ 4o' are 'natta!hed and *or less" the &itness o* everythin% 55 so be ha))y$ 1$8 Ri%hteo'sness and 'nri%hteo'sness" )leas're and )ain are )'rely o* the ind and are no !on!ern o* yo'rs$ 4o' are neither the doer nor the rea)er o* the !onse,'en!es" so yo' are al&ays *ree$ 1$9 4o' are the one &itness o* everythin% and are al&ays !o )letely *ree$ The !a'se o* yo'r bonda%e is that yo' see the &itness as so ethin% other than this$ 1$: Sin!e yo' have been bitten by the bla!k snake" the o)inion abo't yo'rsel* that ;I a the doer"; drink the antidote o* *aith in the *a!t that ;I a not the doer"; and be ha))y$ 1$< ='rn do&n the *orest o* i%noran!e &ith the *ire o* the 'nderstandin% that ;I a )'re a&areness"; and be ha))y and *ree *ro distress$ 1$> the one

That in &hi!h all this a))ears is i a%ined like the snake in a ro)e( that 2oy" s')re e 2oy" and a&areness is &hat yo' are" so be ha))y$ 1$1? I* one thinks o* onesel* as *ree" one is *ree" and i* one thinks o* onesel* as bo'nd" one is bo'nd$ Here this sayin% is tr'e" ;Thinkin% akes it so$; 1$11 4o'r real nat're is as the one )er*e!t" *ree" and a!tionless !ons!io'sness" the all5 )ervadin% &itness 55 'natta!hed to anythin%" desireless and at )ea!e$ It is *ro ill'sion that yo' see to be involved in sa sara$ 1$13 -editate on yo'rsel* as otionless a&areness" *ree *ro any d'alis " %ivin% ') the istaken idea that yo' are 2'st a derivative !ons!io'sness or anythin% e#ternal or internal$ 1$16 4o' have lon% been tra))ed in the snare o* identi*i!ation &ith the body$ Sever it &ith the kni*e o* kno&led%e that ;I a a&areness"; and be ha))y" y son$ 1$17 4o' are really 'nbo'nd and a!tionless" sel*5ill' inatin% and s)otless already$ The !a'se o* yo'r bonda%e is that yo' are still resortin% to stillin% the ind$ 1$18

All o* this is really *illed by yo' and str'n% o't in yo'" *or &hat yo' !onsist o* is )'re a&areness 55 so don't be s all5 inded$ 1$19 4o' are 'n!onditioned and !han%eless" *or less and i ovable" 'n*atho able a&areness" 'n)ert'rbable@ so hold to nothin% b't !ons!io'sness$ 1$1: Re!o%nise that the a))arent is 'nreal" &hile the 'n ani*est is abidin%$ Thro'%h this initiation into tr'th yo' &ill es!a)e *allin% into 'nreality a%ain$ 1$1< J'st as a irror e#ists every&here both &ithin and a)art *ro its re*le!ted i a%es" so the S')re e Lord e#ists every&here &ithin and a)art *ro this body$ 1$1> J'st as one and the sa e all5)ervadin% s)a!e e#ists &ithin and &itho't a 2ar" so the eternal" everlastin% God e#ists in the totality o* thin%s$ 1$3? Janaka said: Tr'ly I a s)otless and at )ea!e" the a&areness beyond nat'ral !a'sality$ All this ti e I have been a**li!ted by del'sion$ 3$1 As I alone %ive li%ht to this body" so I do to the &orld$ As a res'lt the &hole &orld is ine" or alternatively nothin% is$ 3$3 So no& that I have abandoned the body and everythin% else" by %ood *ort'ne be!o es a))arent$ 3$6 y tr'e sel*

Aaves" *oa " and b'bbles do not di**er *ro &ater$ In the sa e &ay" all this &hi!h has e anated *ro onesel* is no other than onesel*$ 3$7 Ahen yo' analyse it" !loth is *o'nd to be 2'st thread$ In the sa e &ay" &hen all this is analysed it is *o'nd to be no other than onesel*$ 3$8 The s'%ar )rod'!ed *ro the 2'i!e o* the s'%ar!ane is )er eated thro'%ho't &ith the sa e taste$ In the sa e &ay" all this" )rod'!ed o't o* e" is !o )letely )er eated &ith ysel*$ 3$9 Bro i%noran!e o* onesel*" the &orld a))ears" and by kno&led%e o* onesel* it a))ears no lon%er$ Bro i%noran!e o* the ro)e it a))ears to be a snake" and by kno&led%e o* it it does so no lon%er$ 3$: Shinin% is y essential nat're" and I a nothin% other than that$ Ahen the &orld shines *orth" it is only e that is shinin% *orth$ 3$< All this a))ears in e i a%ined d'e to i%noran!e" 2'st as a snake a))ears in the ro)e" the ira%e o* &ater in the s'nli%ht" and silver in other o* )earl$ 3$>

All this" &hi!h has ori%inated o't o* e" is resolved ba!k into !lay" a &ave into &ater" and a bra!elet into %old$ 3$1?

e too" like a 2'% ba!k into

Ho& &onder*'l I a C Glory to e" *or &ho there is no destr'!tion" re ainin% even beyond the destr'!tion o* the &orld *ro =rah a do&n to the last !l' ) o* %rass$ 3$11 Ho& &onder*'l I a C Glory to e" solitary even tho'%h &ith a body" neither %oin% or !o in% any&here" I &ho abide *orever" *illin% all that is$ 3$13 Ho& &onder*'l I a C Glory to eC There is no one so !lever as that is *orever" &itho't even to'!hin% it &ith y bodyC 3$16 eC I &ho have borne all

Ho& &onder*'l I a C Glory to eC I &ho )ossess nothin% at all" or alternatively )ossess everythin% that s)ee!h and ind !an re*er to$ 3$17 /no&led%e" &hat is to be kno&n" and the kno&er 55 these three do not e#ist in reality$ I a the s)otless reality in &hi!h they a))ear be!a'se o* i%noran!e$ 3$18 Tr'ly d'alis is the root o* s'**erin%$ There is no other re edy *or it than the realisation that all this that &e see is 'nreal" and that I a the one stainless reality" !onsistin% o* !ons!io'sness$ 3$19 I a )'re a&areness tho'%h thro'%h i%noran!e I have i a%ined ysel* to have additional attrib'tes$ =y !ontin'ally re*le!tin% like this" y d&ellin% )la!e is in the Uni a%ined$ 3$1: Bor e here is neither bonda%e nor liberation$ The ill'sion has lost its basis and !eased$ Tr'ly all this e#ists in e" tho'%h 'lti ately it does not even e#ist in e$ 3$1< Re!o%nisin% that all this and y body too are nothin%" &hile y tr'e sel* is nothin% b't )'re !ons!io'sness" &hat is there le*t *or the i a%ination to &ork on no&0 3$1> The body" heaven and hell" bonda%e and liberation" and *ear too" all this is )'re i a%ination$ Ahat is there le*t to do *or e &hose very nat're is !ons!io'sness0 3$3? I do not even see d'alis desert0 3$31 in a !ro&d o* )eo)le" so &hat do I %ain i* it is re)la!ed by a !ons!io'sness$ It

I a not the body" nor is the body ine$ I a not a livin% bein%$ I a &as y thirst *or livin% that &as y bonda%e$ 3$33

Tr'ly it is in the in*inite o!ean o* ysel*" that" sti 'lated by the !olo'r*'l &aves o* the &orld" everythin% s'ddenly arises in the &ind o* !ons!io'sness$ 3$36 In the in*inite o!ean o* ysel*" the &ind o* tho'%ht s'bsides" and the &orld boat o* the livin%5bein% traders is &re!ked by la!k o* %oods$ 3$37

Ho& &onder*'l it is that in the in*inite o!ean o* ysel* the &aves o* livin% bein%s arise" !ollide" )lay" and disa))ear" in a!!ordan!e &ith their nat're$ 3$38 Ashtavakra said: /no&in% yo'rsel* as tr'ly one and indestr'!tible" ho& !o'ld a &ise kno&led%e like yo' *eel any )leas're in a!,'irin% &ealth0 6$1 an )ossessin% sel*5

Tr'ly" &hen one does not kno& onesel*" one takes )leas're in the ob2e!ts o* istaken )er!e)tion" 2'st as %reed arises *or the istaken silver in one &ho does not kno& other o* )earl *or &hat it is$ 6$3 All this &ells ') like &aves in the sea$ Re!o%nisin%" ;I a so eone in need0 6$6 That"; &hy r'n aro'nd like

A*ter hearin% o* onesel* as )'re !ons!io'sness and the s')re ely bea'ti*'l" is one to %o on l'stin% a*ter sordid se#'al ob2e!ts0 6$7 Ahen the sa%e has realised that he hi sel* is in all bein%s" and all bein%s are in hi " it is astonishin% that the sense o* individ'ality sho'ld be able to !ontin'e$ 6$8 It is astonishin% that a an &ho has rea!hed the s')re e nond'al state and is intent on the bene*its o* liberation sho'ld still be s'b2e!t to l'st and in bonda%e to se#'al a!tivity$ 6$9 It is astonishin% that one already very debilitated" and kno&in% very &ell that its aro'sal is the ene y o* kno&led%e" sho'ld still hanker a*ter sens'ality" even &hen a))roa!hin% his last days$ 6$: It is astonishin% that one &ho is 'natta!hed to the thin%s o* this &orld or the ne#t" &ho dis!ri inates bet&een the )er anent and the i )er anent" and &ho lon%s *or liberation" sho'ld still be a*raid o* liberation$ 6$< Ahether *eted or tor ented" the &ise an is al&ays a&are o* his s')re e sel*5nat're and is neither )leased nor disa))ointed$ 6$> The %reat5so'led )erson sees even his o&n body in a!tion as i* it &ere so eone else's" so ho& sho'ld he be dist'rbed by )raise or bla e0 6$1? Seein% this &orld as )'re ill'sion" and devoid o* any interest in it" ho& sho'ld the stron%5 inded )erson" *eel *ear" even at the a))roa!h o* death0 6$11 Aho !an be !o )ared to the %reat5so'led )erson &hose ind is *ree *ro desire even in disa))oint ent" and &ho has *o'nd satis*a!tion in sel*5kno&led%e0 6$13

Ho& sho'ld a stron%5 inded )erson &ho kno&s that &hat he sees is by its very nat're nothin%" !onsider one thin% to be %ras)ed and another to be re2e!ted0 6$16 An ob2e!t o* en2oy ent that !o es o* itsel* is neither )ain*'l nor )leas'rable *or so eone &ho has eli inated atta!h ent" and &ho is *ree *ro d'alis and *ro desire$ 6$17 Ashtavakra said: The &ise )erson o* sel*5kno&led%e" )layin% the %a e o* &orldly en2oy ent" bears no rese blan!e &hatever to sa sara's be&ildered beasts o* b'rden$ 7$1 Tr'ly the yo%i *eels no e#!ite ent even at bein% established in that state &hi!h all the Devas *ro Indra do&n yearn *or dis!onsolately$ 7$3 He &ho has kno&n That is 'nto'!hed &ithin by %ood deeds or bad" 2'st as s)a!e is not to'!hed by s oke" ho&ever '!h it ay a))ear to be$ 7$6 Aho !an )revent the %reat5so'led )erson &ho has kno&n this &hole &orld as hi sel* *ro livin% as he )leases0 7$7 O* all *o'r !ate%ories o* bein%s" *ro =rah a do&n to the last !l' ) o* %rass" only the an o* kno&led%e is !a)able o* eli inatin% desire and aversion$ 7$8 Rare is the an &ho kno&s hi sel* as the nond'al Lord o* the &orld" and he &ho kno&s this is not a*raid o* anythin%$ 7$9 Ashtavakra said: 4o' are not bo'nd by anythin%$ Ahat does a )'re )erson like yo' need to reno'n!e0 D'ttin% the !o )le# or%anis to rest" yo' !an *ind )ea!e$ 8$1 All this arises o't o* yo'" like a b'bble o't o* the sea$ /no&in% yo'rsel* like this to be b't one" yo' !an *ind )ea!e$ 8$3 In s)ite o* bein% in *ront o* yo'r eyes" all this" bein% ins'bstantial" does not e#ist in yo'" s)otless as yo' are$ It is an a))earan!e like the snake in a ro)e" so yo' !an *ind )ea!e$ 8$6 .,'al in )ain and in )leas're" e,'al in ho)e and in disa))oint ent" e,'al in li*e and in death" and !o )lete as yo' are" yo' !an *ind )ea!e$ 8$7 Ashtavakra said:

I a in*inite like s)a!e" and the nat'ral &orld is like a 2ar$ To kno& this is kno&led%e" and then there is neither ren'n!iation" a!!e)tan!e" or !essation o* it$ 9$1 I a like the o!ean" and the 'lti)li!ity o* ob2e!ts is !o )arable to a &ave$ To kno& this is kno&led%e" and then there is neither ren'n!iation" a!!e)tan!e or !essation o* it$ 9$3 I a like the other o* )earl" and the i a%ined &orld is like the silver$ To kno& this is kno&led%e" and then there is neither ren'n!iation" a!!e)tan!e" or !essation o* it$ 9$6 Alternatively" I a in all bein%s" and all bein%s are in e$ To kno& this is kno&led%e" and then there is neither ren'n!iation" a!!e)tan!e" or !essation o* it$ 9$7 Janaka said: In the in*inite o!ean o* ysel* the &orld boat dri*ts here and there" inner &ind$ I a not )'t o't by that$ :$1 oved by its o&n

Ahether the &orld &ave o* its o&n nat're rises or disa))ears in the in*inite o!ean o* ysel*" I neither %ain nor lose anythin% by that$ :$3 It is in the in*inite o!ean o* ysel* that the ind5!reation !alled the &orld takes )la!e$ I a s')re ely )ea!e*'l and *or less" and I re ain as s'!h$ :$6 -y tr'e nat're is not !ontained in ob2e!ts" nor does any ob2e!t e#ist in it" *or it is in*inite and s)otless$ So it is 'natta!hed" desireless and at )ea!e" and I re ain as s'!h$ :$7 I a )'re !ons!io'sness" and the &orld is like a there is anythin% there to take ') or re2e!t0 :$8 Ashtavakra said: =onda%e is &hen the ind lon%s *or so ethin%" %rieves abo't so ethin%" re2e!ts so ethin%" holds on to so ethin%" is )leased abo't so ethin% or dis)leased abo't so ethin%$ <$1 Liberation is &hen the ind does not lon% *or anythin%" %rieve abo't anythin%" re2e!t anythin%" or hold on to anythin%" and is not )leased abo't anythin% or dis)leased abo't anythin%$ <$3 =onda%e is &hen the ind is tan%led in one o* the senses" and liberation is &hen the is not tan%led in any o* the senses$ <$6 Ahen there is no ; e"; that is liberation" and &hen there is ; e; there is bonda%e$ Consider this !are*'lly" and neither hold on to anythin% nor re2e!t anythin%$ <$7 ind a%i!ian's sho&$ Ho& !o'ld I i a%ine

Ashtavakra said: /no&in% &hen the d'alis o* thin%s done and 'ndone has been )'t to rest" or the )erson *or &ho they o!!'r has" then yo' !an here and no& %o beyond ren'n!iation and obli%ations by indi**eren!e to s'!h thin%s$ >$1 Rare indeed" y son" is the l'!ky an &hose observation o* the &orld's behavio'r has led to the e#tin!tion o* his thirst *or livin%" thirst *or )leas're" and thirst *or kno&led%e$ >$3 All this is transient and s)oiled by the three sorts o* )ain$ /no&in% it to be ins'bstantial" i%noble" and *it only *or re2e!tion" one attains )ea!e$ >$6 Ahen &as that a%e or ti e o* li*e &hen the d'alis o* e#tre es did not e#ist *or en0 Abandonin% the " a )erson &ho is ha))y to take &hatever !o es attains )er*e!tion$ >$7 Aho does not end ') &ith indi**eren!e to s'!h thin%s and attain )ea!e &hen he has seen the di**eren!es o* o)inions a on% the %reat sa%es" saints" and yo%is0 >$8 Is he not a %'r' &ho" endo&ed &ith dis)assion and e,'ani ity" a!hieves *'ll kno&led%e o* the nat're o* !ons!io'sness" and leads others o't o* sa sara0 >$9 I* yo' &o'ld 2'st see the trans*or ations o* the ele ents as nothin% ore than the ele ents" then yo' &o'ld i ediately be *reed *ro all bonds and established in yo'r o&n nat're$ >$: One's desires are sa sara$ /no&in% this" abandon the $ The ren'n!iation o* the ren'n!iation o* it$ No& yo' !an re ain as yo' are$ >$< Ashtavakra said: Abandon desire" the ene y" alon% &ith %ain" itsel* so *'ll o* loss" and the %ood deeds &hi!h are the !a'se o* the other t&o 55 )ra!ti!e indi**eren!e to everythin%$ 1?$1 Look on s'!h thin%s as *riends" land" oney" )ro)erty" &i*e" and be,'ests as nothin% b't a drea or a a%i!ian's sho& lastin% three or *ive days$ 1?$3 Aherever a desire o!!'rs" see sa sara in it$ .stablishin% yo'rsel* in *ir *ree o* )assion and ha))y$ 1?$6 dis)assion" be is the

The essential nat're o* bonda%e is nothin% other than desire" and its eli ination is kno&n as liberation$ It is si )ly by not bein% atta!hed to !han%in% thin%s that the everlastin% 2oy o* attain ent is rea!hed$ 1?$7

4o' are one" !ons!io's and )'re" &hile all this is inert non5bein%$ I%noran!e itsel* is nothin%" so &hat is the )oint o* &antin% to 'nderstand0 1?$8 /in%do s" !hildren" &ives" bodies" )leas'res 55 these have all been lost to yo' li*e a*ter li*e" atta!hed to the tho'%h yo' &ere$ 1?$9 .no'%h o* &ealth" sens'ality" and %ood deeds$ In the *orest o* sa sara the never *o'nd satis*a!tion in these$ 1?$: Ho& any births have yo' not done hard and )ain*'l labo'r &ith body" s)ee!h$ No& at last" sto)C 1?$< Ashtavakra said: Un oved and 'ndistressed" realisin% that bein%" non5bein% and !han%e are o* the very nat're o* thin%s" one easily *inds )ea!e$ 11$1 At )ea!e" havin% shed all desires &ithin" and realisin% that nothin% e#ists here b't the Lord" the Creator o* all thin%s" one is no lon%er atta!hed to anythin%$ 11$3 Realisin% that is*ort'ne and *ort'ne !o e in their o&n ti e *ro *ort'ne" one is !ontented" one's senses 'nder !ontrol" and does not like or dislike$ 11$6 Realisin% that )leas're and )ain" birth and death are *ro destiny" and that one's desires !annot be a!hieved" one re ains ina!tive" and even &hen a!tin% does not %et atta!hed$ 11$7 Realisin% that s'**erin% arises *ro nothin% other than tho'%ht" dro))in% all desires one rids onesel* o* it" and is ha))y and at )ea!e every&here$ 11$8 Realisin%" ;I a not the body" nor is the body ine$ I a a&areness"; one attains the s')re e state and no lon%er re e bers thin%s done or 'ndone$ 11$9 Realisin%" ;I alone e#ist" *ro =rah a do&n to the last !l' ) o* %rass"; one be!o es *ree *ro 'n!ertainty" )'re" at )ea!e" and 'n!on!erned abo't &hat has been attained or not$ 11$: Realisin% that all this varied and &onder*'l &orld is nothin%" one be!o es )'re re!e)tivity" *ree *ro in!linations" and as i* nothin% e#isted" one *inds )ea!e$ 11$< Janaka said: Birst o* all I &as averse to )hysi!al a!tivity" then to len%thy s)ee!h" and *inally to tho'%ht itsel*" &hi!h is &hy I a no& established$ 13$1 ind has ind" and

In the absen!e o* deli%ht in so'nd and the other senses" and by the *a!t that I a ysel* not an ob2e!t o* the senses" y ind is *o!'sed and *ree *ro distra!tion 55 &hi!h is &hy I a no& established$ 13$3 O&in% to the distra!tion o* s'!h thin%s as &ron% identi*i!ation" one is driven to strive *or ental stillness$ Re!o%nisin% this )attern I a no& established$ 13$6 =y relin,'ishin% the sense o* re2e!tion and a!!e)tan!e" and &ith )leas're and disa))oint ent !easin% today" brah in 55 I a no& established$ 13$7 Li*e in a !o 'nity" then %oin% beyond s'!h a state" editation and the eli ination o* ind5 ade ob2e!ts 55 by eans o* these I have seen y error" and I a no& established$ 13$8 J'st as the )er*or an!e o* a!tions is d'e to i%noran!e" so their abandon ent is too$ =y *'lly re!o%nisin% this tr'th" I a no& established$ 13$9 Tryin% to think the 'nthinkable" is doin% so ethin% 'nnat'ral to tho'%ht$ Abandonin% s'!h a )ra!ti!e there*ore" I a no& established$ 13$: He &ho has a!hieved this has a!hieved the %oal o* li*e$ He &ho is o* s'!h a nat're has done &hat has to be done$ 13$< Janaka said: The inner *reedo o* havin% nothin% is hard to a!hieve" even &ith 2'st a loin5!loth" b't I live as I )lease" abandonin% both ren'n!iation and a!,'isition$ 16$1 So eti es one e#)erien!es distress be!a'se o* one's body" so eti es be!a'se o* one's s)ee!h" and so eti es be!a'se o* one's ind$ Abandonin% all o* these" I live as I )lease in the %oal o* h' an li*e$ 16$3 Re!o%nisin% that in reality no a!tion is ever !o )resents itsel* to be done$ 16$6 itted" I live as I )lease" 2'st doin% &hat

4o%is &ho identi*y the selves &ith their bodies are insistent on *'l*illin% and avoidin% !ertain a!tions" b't I live as I )lease abandonin% atta!h ent and re2e!tion$ 16$7 No bene*it or loss !o es to e by standin%" &alkin% or lyin% do&n" so !onse,'ently I live as I )lease &hether standin%" &alkin% or slee)in%$16$8 I lose nothin% by slee)in% and %ain nothin% by e**ort" so !onse,'ently I live as I )lease" abandonin% s'!!ess and *ail're$ 16$9

Contin'ally observin% the dra&ba!ks o* s'!h thin%s as )leasant ob2e!ts" I live as I )lease" abandonin% the )leasant and 'n)leasant$ 16$: Janaka said: He &ho by nat're is e )ty5 inded" and &ho thinks o* thin%s only 'nintentionally" is *reed *ro deliberate re e berin% like one a&akened *ro a drea $ 17$1 Ahen y desire has been eli inated" I have no &ealth" *riends" robbers" senses" s!ri)t'res or kno&led%e$ 17$3 Realisin% y s')re e sel*5nat're in the Derson o* the Aitness" the Lord"and the state o* desirelessness in bonda%e or liberation" I *eel no in!lination *or liberation$ 17$6 The vario's states o* one &ho is *ree o* 'n!ertainty &ithin" and &ho o't&ardly &anders abo't as he )leases like an idiot" !an only be kno&n by so eone in the sa e !ondition$ 17$7 Ashtavakra said: Ahile a an o* )'re intelli%en!e ay a!hieve the %oal by the ost !as'al o* instr'!tion" another ay seek kno&led%e all his li*e and still re ain be&ildered$ 18$1 Liberation is distaste *or the ob2e!ts o* the senses$ =onda%e is love o* the senses$ This is kno&led%e$ No& do as yo' &ish$ 18$3 This a&areness o* the tr'th akes an elo,'ent" !lever and ener%eti! and laEy" so it is avoided by those &hose ai is en2oy ent$ 18$6 an d' b" st')id

4o' are not the body" nor is the body yo'rs" nor are yo' the doer o* a!tions or the rea)er o* their !onse,'en!es$ 4o' are eternally )'re !ons!io'sness" the &itness" in need o* nothin% 55 so live ha))ily$ 18$7 Desire and an%er are ob2e!ts o* the ind" b't the ind is not yo'rs" nor ever has been$ 4o' are !hoi!eless a&areness itsel* and 'n!han%in% 55 so live ha))ily$ 18$8 Re!o%nisin% onesel* in all bein%s" and all bein%s in onesel*" be ha))y" *ree *ro o* res)onsibility and *ree *ro )reo!!')ation &ith ; e$; 18$9 the sense

4o'r nat're is the !ons!io'sness" in &hi!h the &hole &orld &ells ')" like &aves in the sea$ That is &hat yo' are" &itho't any do'bt" so be *ree o* dist'rban!e$ 18$: Have *aith" y son" have *aith$ Don't let yo'rsel* be del'ded in this$ 4o' are yo'rsel* the Lord" &hose very nat're is kno&led%e" and yo' are beyond nat'ral !a'sation$ 18$<

The body invested &ith the senses stands still" and !o es and %oes$ 4o' yo'rsel* neither !o e nor %o" so &hy bother abo't the 0 18$> Let the body last to the end o* the A%e" or let it !o e to an end ri%ht no&$ Ahat have yo' %ained or lost" &ho !onsist o* )'re !ons!io'sness0 18$1? Let the &orld &ave rise or s'bside a!!ordin% to its o&n nat're in yo'" the %reat o!ean$ It is no %ain or loss to yo'$ 18$11 -y son" yo' !onsist o* )'re !ons!io'sness" and the &orld is not se)arate *ro &ho is to a!!e)t or re2e!t it" and ho&" and &hy0 18$13 yo'$ So

Ho& !an there be either birth" kar a" or res)onsibility in that one 'n!han%in%" )ea!e*'l" 'nble ished" and in*inite !ons!io'sness &hi!h is yo'0 18$16 Ahatever yo' see" it is yo' alone ani*est in it$ Ho& !an bra!elets" ar lets and anklets be di**erent *ro the %old they are ade o*0 18$17 Givin% ') s'!h distin!tions as ;He is &hat I a "; and ;I a not that"; re!o%nise that ;.verythin% is ysel*"; and be &itho't distin!tion and ha))y$ 18$18 It is thro'%h yo'r i%noran!e that all this e#ists$ In reality yo' alone e#ist$ A)art *ro there is no one &ithin or beyond sa sara$ 18$19 yo'

/no&in% that all this is 2'st an ill'sion" one be!o es *ree o* desire" )'re re!e)tivity" and at )ea!e" as i* nothin% e#isted$ 18$1: Only one thin% has e#isted" e#ists and &ill e#ist in the o!ean o* bein%$ 4o' have no bonda%e or liberation$ Live ha))ily and *'l*illed$ 18$1< =ein% )'re !ons!io'sness" do not dist'rb yo'r ind &ith tho'%hts o* *or and a%ainst$ =e at )ea!e and re ain ha))ily in yo'rsel*" the essen!e o*2oy$ 18$1> Give ') editation !o )letely b't don't let the ind hold on to anythin%$ 4o' are *ree by nat're" so &hat &ill yo' a!hieve by *or!in% the ind0 18$3? Ashtavakra said: -y son" yo' ay re!ite or listen to !o'ntless s!ri)t'res" b't yo' &ill not be established &ithin 'ntil yo' !an *or%et everythin%$ 19$1 4o' ay" as a learned an" ind'l%e in &ealth" a!tivity" and editation" b't yo'r ind &ill still lon% *or that &hi!h is the !essation o* desire" and beyond all %oals$ 19$3

.veryone is in )ain be!a'se o* their strivin% to a!hieve so ethin%" b't noone realises it$ =y no ore than this instr'!tion" the *ort'nate one attains tran,'illity$ 19$6 Ha))iness belon%s to noone b't that s')re ely laEy !losin% his eyes is a bother$ 19$7 an *or &ho even o)enin% and

Ahen the ind is *reed *ro s'!h )airs o* o))osites as" ;I have done this"; and ;I have not done that"; it be!o es indi**erent to erit" &ealth" sens'ality and liberation$ 19$8 One an is abste io's and averse to the senses" another is %reedy and atta!hed to the " b't he &ho is *ree *ro both takin% and re2e!tin% is neither abste io's nor %reedy$ 19$9 So lon% as desire" the state o* la!k o* dis!ri ination" re ains" the sense o* rev'lsion and attra!tion &ill re ain" &hi!h is the root and bran!h o* sa sara$ 19$: Desire s)rin%s *ro 'sa%e" and aversion *ro abstension" b't the &ise the )airs o* o))osites like a !hild" and be!o es established$ 19$< an is *ree *ro

The )assionate an &ants to eli inate sa sara so as to avoid )ain" b't the dis)assionate an is *ree *ro )ain and *eels no distress even in it$ 19$> He &ho is )ro'd abo't even liberation or his o&n body" and *eels the a seer nor a yo%i$ He is still 2'st a s'**erer$19$1? his o&n" is neither

I* even Shiva" +ishn'" or the lot's5born =rah a &ere yo'r instr'!tor" 'ntil yo' have *or%otten everythin% yo' !annot be established &ithin$ 19$11 Ashtavakra said: He &ho is !ontent" &ith )'ri*ied senses" and al&ays en2oys solit'de" has %ained the *r'it o* kno&led%e and the *r'it o* the )ra!ti!e o* yo%a too$ 1:$1 The kno&er o* tr'th is never distressed in this &orld" *or the &hole ro'nd &orld is *'ll o* hi sel* alone$ 1:$3 None o* these senses )lease a an &ho has *o'nd satis*a!tion &ithin"2'st as Ni ba leaves do not )lease the ele)hant that has a!,'ired the taste *or Sallaki leaves$ 1:$6 The an is rare &ho is not atta!hed to the thin%s he has en2oyed" and does not hanker a*ter the thin%s he has not en2oyed$ 1:$7 Those &ho desire )leas're and those &ho desire liberation are both *o'nd in sa sara" b't the %reat5so'led an &ho desires neither )leas're nor liberation is rare indeed$ 1:$8

It is only the noble5 inded &ho is *ree *ro sens'ality" and li*e and death too$ 1:$9

attra!tion or re)'lsion to reli%ion" &ealth"

He *eels no desire *or the eli ination o* all this" nor an%er at its !ontin'in%" so the *ort'nate an lives ha))ily &ith &hatever s'stinen!e )resents itsel*$ 1:$: Th's *'l*illed thro'%h this kno&led%e" !ontented" and &ith the thinkin% lives ha))ily 2'st seein%" hearin%" *eelin%" s ellin%" and tastin%$ 1:$< ind e )tied" he

In hi *or &ho the o!ean o* sa sara has dried ')" there is neither atta!h ent or aversion$ His %aEe is va!ant" his behavio'r )'r)oseless"and his senses ina!tive$ 1:$> S'rely the s')re e state is every&here *or the liberated aslee)" and neither o)ens nor !loses his eyes$ 1:$1? The liberated an is res)lendent every&here" *ree *ro a))ears sel*5)ossessed and )'re o* heart$ 1:$11 ind$ He is neither a&ake nor all desires$ .very&here he

Seein%" hearin%" *eelin%" s ellin%" tastin%" s)eakin%" and &alkin% abo't" the %reat5so'led an &ho is *reed *ro tryin% to a!hieve or avoid anythin% is *ree indeed$ 1:$13 The liberated an is *ree *ro desires every&here$ He neither bla es" )raises" re2oi!es" is disa))ointed" %ives" nor takes$ 1:$16 Ahen a %reat5so'led one is 'n)ert'rbed in ind" and e,'ally sel*5)ossessed at either the si%ht o* a &o an in*la ed &ith desire or at a))roa!hin% death" he is tr'ly liberated$ 1:$17 There is no distin!tion bet&een )leas're and )ain" an and &o an" s'!!ess and *ail're *or the &ise an &ho looks on everythin% as e,'al$ 1:$18 There is no a%%ression nor !o )assion" no )ride nor h' ility" no &onder nor !on*'sion *or the an &hose days o* sa sara are over$ 1:$19 The liberated an is not averse to the senses nor is he atta!hed to the $ He en2oys hinsel* !ontin'ally &ith an 'natta!hed ind in both s'!!ess and *ail're$ 1:$1: One established in the Absol'te state &ith an e )ty ind does not kno& the alternatives o* inner stillness and la!k o* inner stillness" and o* %ood and evil$ 1:$1< A an *ree o* ; e; and ; ine; and o* a sense o* res)onsibility" a&are that ;Nothin% e#ists"; &ith all desires e#tin%'ished &ithin" does not a!t even in a!tin%$ 1:$1> He &hose thinkin% ind is dissolved a!hieves the indes!ribable state and is *ree *ro ental dis)lay o* del'sion" drea " and i%noran!e$ 1:$3? the

Ashtavakra said: Draise be to That by the a&areness o* &hi!h del'sion itsel* be!o es drea 5like" to that &hi!h is )'re ha))iness" )ea!e" and li%ht$ 1<$1 One ay %et all sorts o* )leas're by the a!,'isition o* vario's ob2e!ts o* en2oy ent" b't one !annot be ha))y e#!e)t by the ren'n!iation o* everythin%$ 1<$3 Ho& !an there be ha))iness" *or one &ho has been b'rnt inside by the blisterin% s'n o* the )ain o* thinkin% that there are thin%s that still need doin%" &itho't the rain o* the ne!tar o* )ea!e0 1<$6 This e#isten!e is 2'st i a%ination$ It is nothin% in reality" b't there is no non5bein% *or nat'res that kno& ho& to distin%'ish bein% *ro nonbein%$ 1<$7 The real o* one's sel* is not *ar a&ay" nor !an it be a!hieved by the addition o* li itations to its nat're$ It is 'ni a%inable" e**ortless" 'n!han%in%" and s)otless$ 1<$8 =y the si )le eli ination o* del'sion and the re!o%nition o* one's tr'e nat're" those &hose vision is 'n!lo'ded live *ree *ro sorro&$ 1<$9 /no&in% everythin% as 2'st i a%ination" and hi sel* as eternally *ree" ho& sho'ld the &ise an behave like a *ool0 1<$: /no&in% hi sel* to be God" and bein% and non5bein% 2'st i a%ination" &hat sho'ld the an *ree *ro desire learn" say" or do0 1<$< Considerations like ;I a this; or ;I a not this; are *inished *or the yo%i &ho has %one silent realisin% ;.verythin% is ysel*$; 1<$> Bor the yo%i &ho has *o'nd )ea!e" there is no distra!tion or one5)ointedness" no hi%her kno&led%e or i%noran!e" no )leas're and no )ain$ 1<$1? The do inion o* heaven or be%%ary" %ain or loss" li*e a on% en or in the *orest" these ake no di**eren!e to a yo%i &hose nat're it is to be *ree *ro distin!tions$ 1<$11 There are no reli%io's obli%ations" &ealth" sens'ality" or dis!ri ination *or a yo%i *ree *ro s'!h o))osites as ;I have done this"; and ;I have not done that$; 1<$13 There is nothin% needin% to be done or any atta!h ent in his heart *or the yo%i liberated &hile still alive$ Thin%s thin%s &ill last 2'st to the end o* li*e$ 1<$16 There is no del'sion" &orld" editation on That" or liberation *or the )a!i*ied %reat so'l$ All these thin%s are 2'st the real o* i a%ination$1<$17

He by &ho all this is seen ay &ell ake o't it doesn't e#ist" b't &hat is the desireless one to do0 .ven in seein% it he does not see it$ 1<$18 He by &ho the S')re e =rah a is seen ay think ;I a =rah a"; b't &hat is he to think &ho is &itho't tho'%ht" and &ho sees no d'ality0 1<$19 He by &ho inner distra!tion is seen ay )'t an end to it" b't the noble one is not distra!ted$ Ahen there is nothin% to a!hieve &hat is he to do0 1<$1: The &ise an" 'nlike the &orldly an" does not see inner stillness" distra!tion" or *a'lt in hi sel*" even &hen livin% like a &orldly an$ 1<$1< Nothin% is done by hi &ho is *ree *ro bein% and non5bein%" &ho is !ontented" desireless" and &ise" even i* in the &orld's eyes he does a!t$ 1<$1> The &ise an &ho 2'st %oes on doin% &hat )resents itsel* *or hi di**i!'lty in either a!tivity or ina!tivity$ 1<$3? to do" en!o'nters no

He &ho is desireless" sel*5reliant" inde)endent" and *ree o* bonds *'n!tions like a dead lea* blo&n abo't by the &ind o* !a'sality$ 1<$31 There is neither 2oy nor sorro& *or one &ho has trans!ended sa sara$ Aith a )ea!e*'l ind he lives as i* &itho't a body$ 1<$33 He &hose 2oy is in hi sel*" and &ho is )ea!e*'l and )'re &ithin has no desire *or ren'n!iation or sense o* loss in anythin%$ 1<$36 Bor the an &ith a nat'rally e )ty ind" doin% 2'st as he )leases" there is no s'!h thin% as )ride or *alse h' ility" as there is *or the nat'ral an$ 1<$37 ;This a!tion &as done by the body b't not by this"is not a!tin% even &hen a!tin%$ 1<$38 e$; The )'re5nat'red )erson thinkin% like

He &ho a!ts &itho't bein% able to say &hy" b't is not thereby a *ool" he is one liberated &hile still alive" ha))y and blessed$ He is ha))y even in sa sara$ 1<$39 He &ho has had eno'%h o* endless !onsiderations and has attained )ea!e" does not think" kno&" hear" or see$ 1<$3: He &ho is beyond ental stillness and distra!tion does not desire either liberation or its o))osite$ Re!o%nisin% that thin%s are 2'st !onstr'!tions o* the i a%ination" that %reat so'l lives as God here and no&$ 1<$3< He &ho *eels res)onsibility &ithin" a!ts even &hen doin% nothin%" b't there is no sense o* done or 'ndone *or the &ise an &ho is *ree *ro the sense o* res)onsibility$ 1<$3>

The ind o* the liberated *ree *ro do'bt$ 1<$6?

an is not ')set or )leased$ It shines 'n ovin%" desireless" and editate or a!t" still editates and a!ts b't &itho't an an is

He &hose ind does not set o't to ob2e!t$ 1<$61

A st')id an is be&ildered &hen he hears the 'lti ate tr'th" &hile even a !lever h' bled by it 2'st like the *ool$ 1<$63

The i%norant ake a %reat e**ort to )ra!tise one5)ointedness and the sto))in% o* tho'%ht" &hile the &ise see nothin% to be done and re ain in the selves like those aslee)$ 1<$66 The st')id an does not attain !essation &hether he a!ts or abandons a!tion" &hile the &ise an *inds )ea!e &ithin si )ly by kno&in% the tr'th$ <$67 Deo)le !annot !o e to kno& the selves by )ra!ti!es 55 )'re a&areness" !lear" !o )lete" beyond 'lti)li!ity" and *a'ltless tho'%h they are$ <$68 The st')id an does not a!hieve liberation even thro'%h re%'lar )ra!ti!e" b't the *ort'nate re ains *ree and a!tionless si )ly by 'nderstandin%$ 1<$69 The st')id does not attain Godhead be!a'se he &ants it" &hile the &ise S')re e Godhead &itho't even &antin% it$ 1<$6: an en2oys the

.ven &hen livin% &itho't any s'))ort and ea%er *or a!hieve ent" the st')id are still no'rishin% sa sara" &hile the &ise have !'t at the very root o* its 'nha))iness$ 1<$6< The st')id an does not *ind )ea!e be!a'se he desires it" &hile the &ise dis!ri inatin% the tr'th is al&ays )ea!e*'l inded$ 1<$6> an

Ho& !an there be sel*5kno&led%e *or hi &hose kno&led%e de)ends on &hat he sees0 The &ise do not see this and that" b't see the selves as in*inite$ 1<$7? Ho& !an there be !essation o* tho'%ht *or the is%'ided &ho is strivin% *or it$ 4et it is there al&ays nat'rally *or the &ise an deli%htin% in hi sel*$ 1<$71 So e think that so ethin% e#ists" and others that nothin% does$ Rare is the not think either" and is thereby *ree *ro distra!tion$ 1<$73 an &ho does

Those o* &eak intelli%en!e think o* the selves as )'re nond'ality" b't be!a'se o* their del'sion do not really kno& this" and so re ain 'n*'l*illed all their lives$ 1<$76 The ind o* the an seekin% liberation !an *ind no restin% )la!e &ithin" b't the ind o* the liberated an is al&ays *ree *ro desire by the very *a!t o* bein% &itho't a restin% )la!e$ 1<$77

Seein% the ti%ers o* the senses" the *ri%htened re*'%e5seekers at on!e enter the !ave in sear!h o* !essation o* tho'%ht and one5)ointedness$ 1<$78 Seein% the desireless lion" the ele)hants o* the senses silently r'n a&ay" or" i* that is i )ossible" serve hi like !o'rtiers$ 1<$79 The an &ho is *ree *ro do'bts and &hose ind is *ree does not bother abo't eans o* liberation$ Ahether seein%" hearin%" *eelin%" s ellin%" or tastin%" he lives at ease$ 1<$7: He &hose ind is )'re and 'ndistra!ted *ro 2'st hearin% o* the Tr'th does not see anythin% to do or anythin% to avoid or even a !a'se *or indi**eren!e$ 1<$7< The ')ri%ht )erson does &hatever )resents itsel* to be done" %ood or bad" *or his a!tions are like those o* a !hild$ 1<$7> =y inner *reedo one attains ha))iness" by inner *reedo one rea!hes the S')re e" by inner *reedo one !o es to absen!e o* tho'%ht" by inner *reedo to the Ulti ate State$ 1<$8? Ahen one sees onesel* as neither the doer nor the rea)er o* the !onse,'en!es" then all ind &aves !o e to an end$ 1<$81 The s)ontaneo's 'nass' in% behavio'r o* the &ise is note&orthy" b't not the deliberate )'r)ose*'l stillness o* the *ool$ 1<$83 The &ise &ho are rid o* i a%ination" 'nbo'nd and &ith 'n*ettered a&areness" ay en2oy the selves in the idst o* any %oods" or alternatively %o o** to o'ntain !aves$ 1<$86 There is no atta!h ent in the heart o* a &ise an &hether he sees or )ays ho a%e to a learned brah in" a !elestial bein%" a holy )la!e" a &o an" a kin% or a *riend$ 1<$87 A yo%i is not in the least )'t o't even &hen h' iliated by the ridi!'le o* servants" sons" &ives" %rand!hildren" or other relatives$ 1<$88 .ven &hen )leased he is not )leased" not s'**erin% even &hen in )ain$ Only those like hi !an kno& the &onder*'l state o* s'!h a an$ 1<$89 It is the *eelin% that there is so ethin% that needs to be a!hieved &hi!h is sa sara$ The &ise &ho are o* the *or o* e )tiness" *or less" 'n!han%in%" and s)otless see nothin% o* the sort$ 1<$8: .ven &hen doin% nothin% the *ool is a%itated by restlessness" &hile a skill*'l re ains 'ndist'rbed even &hen doin% &hat there is to do$ 1<$8< an

Ha))y he stands" ha))y he sits" ha))y slee)s" and ha))y he !o es and %oes$ Ha))y he s)eaks and ha))y he eats$ This is the li*e o* a an at )ea!e$ 1<$8>

He &ho o* his very nat're *eels no 'nha))iness in his daily li*e like &orldly )eo)le" re ains 'ndist'rbed like a %reat lake" !leared o* de*ile ent$ 1<$9? .ven abstention *ro a!tion has the e**e!t o* a!tion in a *ool" &hile even the a!tion o* the &ise an brin%s the *r'its o* ina!tion$ 1<$91 A *ool o*ten sho&s aversion to&ards his belon%in%s" b't *or hi &hose atta!h ent to the body has dro))ed a&ay" there is neither atta!h ent nor aversion$ 1<$93 The ind o* the *ool is al&ays !a'%ht in thinkin% or not thinkin%" b't the &ise the nat're o* no tho'%ht be!a'se he thinks &hat is a))ro)riate$ 1<$96 an's is o*

Bor the seer &ho behaves like a !hild" &itho't desire in all a!tions"there is no atta!h ent *or s'!h a )'re one even in the &ork he does$ 1<$97 =lessed is he &ho kno&s hi sel* and is the sa e in all states" &ith a ind *ree *ro !ravin% &hether he is seein%" hearin%" *eelin%" s ellin%" or tastin%$ 1<$98 There is no one s'b2e!t to sa sara" no sense o* individ'ality" no %oal or eans to the %oal in the eyes o* the &ise an &ho is al&ays *ree *ro i a%ination and 'n!han%in% like s)a!e$ 1<$99 Glorio's is he &ho has abandoned all %oals and is the in!arnation o* the satis*a!tion" &hi!h is his very nat're" and &hose inner *o!'s on the Un!onditioned is ,'ite s)ontaneo's$ 1<$9: In brie*" the %reat5so'led an &ho has !o e to kno& the Tr'th is &itho't desire *or either )leas're or liberation" and is al&ays and every&here *ree *ro atta!h ent$ 1<$9< Ahat re ains to be done by the an &ho is )'re a&areness and has abandoned everythin% that !an be e#)ressed in &ords *ro the hi%hest heaven to the earth itsel*0 1<$9> The )'re an &ho has e#)erien!ed the Indes!ribable attains )ea!e by virt'e o* his very nat're" realisin% that all this is nothin% b't ill'sion" and that nothin% is$ 1<$:? There are no r'les" dis)assion" ren'n!iation" or editation *or one &ho is )'re re!e)tivity by nat're" and ad its no kno&able *or o* bein%$ 1<$:1 Bor hi &ho shines &ith the radian!e o* In*inity and is not s'b2e!t to nat'ral !a'sality there is neither bonda%e" liberation" )leas're" nor )ain$ 1<$:3 D're ill'sion rei%ns in sa sara &hi!h &ill !ontin'e 'ntil sel*5realisation" b't the enli%htened an lives in the bea'ty o* *reedo *ro e and ine" *ro the sense o* res)onsibility and *ro any atta!h ent$ 1<$:6

Bor the seer &ho kno&s hi sel* as i )erishable and beyond )ain there is neither kno&led%e" a &orld" nor the sense that I a the body or the body ine$ 1<$:7 No sooner does a an o* lo& intelli%en!e %ive ') a!tivities like the eli ination o* tho'%ht than he *alls into ind ra!in% and !hatter$ 1<$:8 A *ool does not %et rid o* his st')idity even on hearin% the tr'th$ He ay a))ear o't&ardly *ree *ro i a%inations" b't inside he is still hankerin% a*ter the senses$ 1<$:9 Tho'%h in the eyes o* the &orld he is a!tive" the an &ho has shed a!tion thro'%h kno&led%e *inds no eans o* doin% or s)eakin% anythin%$ 1<$:: Bor the &ise an &ho is al&ays 'n!han%in% and *earless there is neither darkness nor li%ht nor destr'!tion nor anythin%$ 1<$:< There is neither *ortit'de" )r'den!e" nor !o'ra%e *or the yo%i &hose nat're is beyond des!ri)tion and *ree o* individ'ality$ 1<$:> There is neither heaven nor hell nor even liberation d'rin% li*e$ In a n'tshell" in the si%ht o* the seer nothin% e#ists at all$ 1<$<? He neither lon%s *or )ossessions nor %rieves at their absen!e$ The !al is *'ll o* the ne!tar o* i ortality$ 1<$<1 ind o* the sa%e

The dis)assionate an does not )raise the %ood or bla e the &i!ked$ Content and e,'al in )ain and )leas're" he sees nothin% that needs doin%$ 1<$<3 The &ise an is not averse to sa sara" nor does he seek to kno& hi sel*$ Bree *ro )leas're and i )atien!e" he is not dead and he is not alive$ 1<$<6 The &ise an e#!els by bein% *ree *ro anti!i)ation" &itho't atta!h ent to s'!h thin%s as !hildren or &ives" *ree *ro desire *or the senses"and not even !on!erned abo't his o&n body$ 1<$<7 The &ise an" &ho lives on &hatever ha))ens to !o e to hi " roa s &herever he )leases" and slee)s &herever the s'n ha))ens to set" is at )ea!e every&here$ 1<$<8 Ahether his body rises or *alls" the %reat5so'led one %ives it no tho'%ht" havin% *or%otten all abo't sa sara in !o in% to rest on the %ro'nd o* his tr'e nat're$ 1<$<9 The &ise an has the 2oy o* bein% !o )lete in hi sel* and &itho't )ossessions" a!tin% as he )leases" *ree *ro d'ality and rid o* do'bts" and &itho't atta!h ent to any !reat're$ 1<$<:

The &ise an e#!els in bein% &itho't the sense o* ; e;$ .arth" a stone" or %old are the sa e to hi $ The knots o* his heart have been rent as'nder" and he is *reed *ro %reed and blindness$ 1<$<< Aho !an !o )are &ith that !ontented" liberated so'l &ho )ays no re%ard to anythin% and has no desire le*t in his heart0 1<$<> Aho b't the ')ri%ht an &itho't desire kno&s &itho't kno&in%" sees &itho't seein%" and s)eaks &itho't s)eakin%0 1<$>? =e%%ar or kin%" he e#!els &ho is &itho't desire" and &hose o)inion o* thin%s is rid o* ;%ood; and ;bad$; 1<$>1 There is neither dissol'te behavio'r nor virt'e" nor even dis!ri ination o* the tr'th *or the sa%e &ho has rea!hed the %oal and is the very e bodi ent o* %'ileless sin!erity$ 1<$>3 That &hi!h is e#)erien!ed &ithin by one &ho is desireless and *ree *ro )ain" and !ontent to rest in hi sel* 55 ho& !o'ld it be des!ribed" and o* &ho 0 1<$>6 The &ise an &ho is !ontented in all !ir!' stan!es is not aslee) even in dee) slee)" nor slee)in% in a drea " nor &akin% &hen he is a&ake$ 1<$>7 The seer is &itho't tho'%hts even &hen thinkin%" &itho't senses a on% the senses" &itho't 'nderstandin% even in 'nderstandin%" and &itho't a sense o* res)onsibility even in the e%o$ 1<$>8 Neither ha))y nor 'nha))y" neither deta!hed nor atta!hed" neither seekin% liberation nor liberated" he is neither so ethin% nor nothin%$ 1<$>9 Not distra!ted in distra!tion" in ental stillness not )oised" in st')idity not st')id" that blessed one is not even &ise in his &isdo $ 1<$>: The liberated an is sel*5)ossessed in all !ir!' stan!es and *ree *ro the idea o* ;done; and ;still to do$; He is the sa e &herever he is and &itho't %reed$ He does not d&ell on &hat he has done or not done$ 1<$>< He is not )leased &hen )raised nor ')set &hen bla ed$ He is not a*raid o* death nor atta!hed to li*e$ 1<$>> A an at )ea!e does not r'n o** to )o)'lar resorts or to the *orest$ Ahatever and &herever" he re ains the sa e$ 1<$1?? Janaka said:

Usin% the t&eeEers o* the kno&led%e o* the tr'th I have ana%ed to e#tra!t the )ain*'l thorn o* endless o)inions *ro the re!esses o* y heart$ 1>$1 Bor e" established in y o&n %lory" there are no reli%io's obli%ations" sens'ality" )ossessions" )hiloso)hy" d'ality" or even nond'ality$ 1>$3 Bor e established in or even eternity$ 1>$6 y o&n %lory" there is no )ast" *'t're" or )resent$ There is no s)a!e

Bor e established in y o&n %lory" there is no sel* or non5sel*" no %ood or evil" no tho'%ht or even absen!e o* tho'%ht$ 1>$7 Bor e established in y o&n %lory" there is no drea in% or dee) slee)" no &akin% nor *o'rth state beyond the " and !ertainly no *ear$ 1>$8 Bor e established in y o&n %lory" there is nothin% *ar a&ay and nothin% near" nothin% &ithin or &itho't" nothin% lar%e and nothin% s all$ 1>$9 Bor e established in y o&n %lory" there is no li*e or death" no &orlds or thin%s o* this &orld" no distra!tion and no stillness o* ind$ 1>$: Bor e re ainin% in o* kno&led%e$ 1>$< Janaka said: In y 'nble ished nat're there are no ele ents" no body" no *a!'lties" no no void and no des)air$ 3?$1 ind$ There is ysel*" there is no need *or talk o* the three %oals o* li*e" o* yo%a or

Bor e" *ree *ro the sense o* d'alis " there are no s!ri)t'res" no sel*5kno&led%e" no ind *ree *ro an ob2e!t" no satis*a!tion and no *reedo *ro desire$ 3?$3 There is no kno&led%e or i%noran!e" no ; e"; ;this"; or ; ine"; no bonda%e" no liberation" and no )ro)erty o* sel*5nat're$ 3?$6 Bor hi &ho is al&ays *ree *ro individ'al !hara!teristi!s there is no ante!edent !a'sal a!tion" no liberation d'rin% li*e" and no *'l*il ent at death$ 3?$7 Bor e" *ree *ro individ'ality" there is no doer and no rea)er o* the !onse,'en!es" no !essation o* a!tion" no arisin% o* tho'%ht" no i ediate ob2e!t" and no idea o* res'lts$ 3?$8 There is no &orld" no seeker *or liberation" no yo%i" no seer" no one bo'nd and no one liberated$ I re ain in y o&n nond'al nat're$ 3?$9

There is no e anation or ret'rn" no %oal" o&n nond'al nat're$ 3?$:

eans" seeker or a!hieve ent$ I re ain in

Bor e &ho a *orever 'nble ished" there is no assessor" no standard" nothin% to assess" and no assess ent$ 3?$< Bor e &ho a *orever a!tionless" there is no distra!tion or one5)ointedness o* la!k o* 'nderstandin%" no st')idity" no 2oy and no sorro&$ 3?$> ind" no

Bor e &ho a al&ays *ree *ro deliberations there is neither !onventional tr'th nor absol'te tr'th" no ha))iness and no s'**erin%$ 3?$1? Bor e &ho a *orever )'re there is no ill'sion" no sa sara" no atta!h ent or deta!h ent" no livin% or%anis " and no God$ 3?$11 Bor e &ho a *orever 'n ovable and indivisible" established in a!tivity or ina!tivity" no liberation and no bonda%e$ 3?$13 ysel*" there is no

Bor e &ho a blessed and &itho't li itation" there is no initiation or s!ri)t're" no dis!i)le or tea!her" and no %oal o* h' an li*e$ 3?$16 There is no bein% or non5bein%" no 'nity or d'alis $ Ahat nothin% o'tside o* e$ 3?$17 ore is there to say0 There is