Ashtavakra Gita · Verse 1.15 · Ashtavakra speaks
You are unattached, actionless, self-effulgent and without any blemish. This indeed is your bondage: that you practise Samadhi.
Word by word
निःसङ्गः
niḥsaṅgaḥ
without attachment, completely unattached
adjective, masculine, nominative singular
निष्क्रियः
niṣkriyaḥ
actionless, free from all activity
adjective, masculine, nominative singular
स्वप्रकाशः
svaprakāśaḥ
self-effulgent, self-luminous
compound adjective (sva + prakāśa), masculine, nominative singular
निरञ्जनः
nirañjanaḥ
without blemish, unstained, immaculate
adjective, masculine, nominative singular
बन्धः
bandhaḥ
bondage
noun, masculine, nominative singular
This verse delivers a surprising paradox: even the practice of samādhi becomes bondage if it presupposes that one is currently bound. The thought of bondage itself is bondage.
समाधिम्
samādhim
samādhi, deep meditative absorption
noun, masculine, accusative singular
Samādhi is the highest state of yoga-practice. Ashtavakra's paradox: so long as one thinks one needs samādhi to become free, one is implicitly affirming bondage. Freedom is not achieved but recognized.
अनुतिष्ठसि
anutiṣṭhasi
you practise, you follow
verb, 2nd person singular, present indicative, anu + sthā