Ashtavakra Gita | Chapter 15

What this episode covers

Knowledge of the Self Ashtavakra said --- 1. A man of pure intellect realizes the Self even by instruction casually imparted. A man of impure intellect is bewildered in trying to realize the Self even after enquiring throughout life. 2. Non-attachment for sense-objects is liberation; love for sense-objects is bondage. Such verily is Knowledge. Now do as you please. 3. This knowledge of the Truth makes an eloquent, wise and active person mute, inert and inactive. Therefore it is shunned by those who want to enjoy the world. 4. You are not the body, nor is the body yours; you are not the doer nor the enjoyer. You are Consciousness itself, the Eternal Witness, and free. Get about happily. 5. Attachment and abhorrence are attributes of the mind. The mind is never yours. You are Intelligence itself, free from conflict, and changeless. Get about happily. 6. Realizing the Self in all and all in the Self, free from egoism and free from the sense of ‘mine,’ be you happy. 7. You are indeed That in which the universe manifests itself like waves on the ocean. O you Intelligence, be you free from the fever of the mind. 8. Have faith, my son, have faith. Never confuse yourself in this. You are Knowledge itself, you are the Lord, you are the Self, and you are beyond Nature. 9. The body, composed of the ingredients of nature, comes, stays and goes. The Self neither comes nor goes. Why, then, do you mourn it? 10. Let the body last to the end of kalpa (cycle) or let it go even today. Where is there any increase or decrease in you who are Pure Intelligence? 11. In you who are the infinite Ocean, let the waves of the universe rise or fall according to their own nature. That means no gain or loss to you. 12. My child, you are Pure Intelligence itself. This universe is nothing different from you. Therefore how and where can anyone have the idea of acceptance or rejection? 13. From where will there be birth, action and even egoism for you who are One, immutable, calm, stainless, and Pure Consciousness? 14. You alone appear as whatever you perceive. Do bracelets, armlets and anklets appear different from gold? 15. Completely give up such distinctions as ‘I am He’ and ‘I am not this.’ Consider all as the Self and be desireless and happy. 16. It is through your ignorance alone that the universe exists. In reality you are One. There is no individual self or Supreme Self other than you. 17. One who knows for certain that this universe is but an illusion and a nothing, becomes desireless and Pure Intelligence, and finds peace as if nothing exists. 18. In the ocean of the world One only was, is and will be. You have neither bondage nor liberation. Live contented and happily. 19. O Pure Intelligence, do not disturb your mind with affirmations and negations. Be calm and abide happily in your own self which is Bliss itself. 20. Completely give up even contemplation and hold nothing in your mind. You are verily the Self, free. What will you do by thinking?

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