Ashtavakra Gita · Verse 1.12 · Ashtavakra speaks
The Self is witness, all-pervading, perfect, One, free, pure Consciousness, actionless, unattached, desireless and quiet. Through illusion it appears as if caught in worldly existence.
Word by word
आत्मा
ātmā
the Self
noun, masculine, nominative singular
साक्षी
sākṣī
witness
noun, masculine, nominative singular
विभुः
vibhuḥ
all-pervading, omnipresent
adjective, masculine, nominative singular
पूर्णः
pūrṇaḥ
perfect, full, complete
adjective, masculine, nominative singular
एकः
ekaḥ
one, without second
adjective, masculine, nominative singular
One — bereft of all differentiation from like or unlike objects and all attributes.
मुक्तः
muktaḥ
free, ever-liberated
adjective, masculine, nominative singular
चिद्
cid
pure Consciousness
noun, neuter (compound member)
अक्रियः
akriyaḥ
actionless, without activity
adjective, masculine, nominative singular
असङ्गः
asaṅgaḥ
unattached, without contact
adjective, masculine, nominative singular
निःस्पृहः
niḥspṛhaḥ
desireless, without longing
adjective, masculine, nominative singular
शान्तः
śāntaḥ
tranquil, at peace
adjective, masculine, nominative singular
भ्रमात्
bhrāmāt
through illusion, by reason of delusion
noun, masculine, ablative singular
संसारवान्
saṃsāravān
as if bound to worldly existence
adjective, masculine, nominative singular
Saṃsāra: the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. It appears to belong to the Self only through illusion — in reality the Self is ever free.