Ashtavakra Gita · Verse 1.10 · Ashtavakra speaks
That Consciousness in which this universe appears like a snake in a rope is Bliss — Supreme Bliss. You are that Consciousness. Be happy.
Word by word
यत्र
yatra
in which, wherein
indeclinable relative adverb of place
विश्वम्
viśvam
the universe, all of this
noun/adjective, neuter, nominative singular
भाति
bhāti
appears, shines
verb, 3rd person singular, present indicative, bhā
कल्पितम्
kalpitam
imagined, superimposed, projected
past passive participle, neuter, nominative singular
Kalpita: the universe has no independent existence; it is imagined upon the substratum of pure Consciousness, just as a snake is imagined on a rope in dim light.
रज्जुसर्पवत्
rajjusarpavat
like a snake in a rope
compound indeclinable (rajju + sarpa + vat)
The rope-snake analogy (rajju-sarpa-dṛṣṭānta) is the most famous analogy of Advaita Vedānta. In dim light a rope is mistaken for a snake. The 'snake' has no existence beyond the rope. Similarly, the universe has no existence beyond the Self.
आनन्द
ānanda
bliss, joy
noun, masculine (compound member)
परमानन्दः
paramānandaḥ
supreme bliss
compound noun (parama + ānanda), masculine, nominative singular
The Consciousness that is the substratum of the universe is not merely neutral awareness but is identical with ānanda — bliss itself.
बोधः
bodhaḥ
awareness, consciousness
noun, masculine, nominative singular
त्वम्
tvam
you
pronoun, nominative singular