Chapter 15 · Knowledge of the Self

Verse 15.1 · Ashtavakra

“A man of pure intellect gains his end even by instruction casually imparted. The other is bewildered therein even after enquiring…”

yathātathopadeśena kṛtārthaḥ sattvabuddhimān…

Verse 15.2 · Ashtavakra

“Distaste for sense-objects is liberation; love for sense-objects is bondage. Such verily is Knowledge. Now do as you please.”

mokṣo viṣayavairasyaṃ bandho vaiṣayiko rasaḥ…

Verse 15.3 · Ashtavakra

“This knowledge of the Truth makes an eloquent, wise and active person mute, inert and inactive. Hence it is shunned by those who want to…”

vāgmiprājñāmahodyogaṃ janaṃ mūkajaḍālasam…

Verse 15.4 · Ashtavakra

“You are not the body, nor is the body yours, nor are you the doer or the enjoyer. You are Intelligence itself, the eternal Witness and…”

na tvaṃ deho na te deho bhoktā kartā na vā bhavān…

Verse 15.5 · Ashtavakra

“Attachment and abhorrence are attributes of mind. The mind is never yours. You are free from conflict, Intelligence itself and changeless.…”

rāgadveṣau manodharmau na manas te kadācana…

Verse 15.6 · Ashtavakra

“Realizing the Self in all beings and all beings in the Self, free from egoism and free from the sense of 'mine', be you happy.”

sarvabhūteṣu cātmānaṃ sarvabhūtāni cātmani…

Verse 15.7 · Ashtavakra

“O you who are Intelligence, you indeed are that in which the universe manifests itself like waves on the ocean. There is no doubt of this.…”

viśvaṃ sphurati yatredaṃ taraṅgā iva sāgare…

Verse 15.8 · Ashtavakra

“Have faith, my son, have faith. Never delude yourself in this. You are Knowledge itself, you are the lord, you are the Self, and you are…”

śraddhasva tāta śraddhasva nātra mohaṃ kuruṣva bhoḥ…

Verse 15.9 · Ashtavakra

“The body, enveloped by the qualities of Nature, comes, stays and goes. The Self neither comes nor goes. Why then do you mourn it?”

guṇaiḥ saṃveṣṭito dehas tiṣṭhaty āyāti yāti ca…

Verse 15.10 · Ashtavakra

“Let the body last to the end of the Kalpa, or let it go even today. Where is there any increase or decrease in you who are Pure…”

dehas tiṣṭhatu kalpāntaṃ gacchatv adyaiva vā punaḥ…

Verse 15.11 · Ashtavakra

“Let the wave of the universe rise or subside of its own accord in you who are the infinite Ocean. That means no gain or loss to you.”

tvayy anantamahāmbhodhau viśvavīciḥ svabhāvataḥ…

Verse 15.12 · Ashtavakra

“My child, you are Pure Intelligence itself. This universe is nothing different from you. Therefore who will accept and reject, and how and…”

tāta cinmātrarūpo'si na te bhinnam idaṃ jagat…

Verse 15.13 · Ashtavakra

“Wherefrom will there be birth, action and even egoism for you who are one, immutable, calm, the space of Intelligence and pure?”

ekasminn avyaye śānte cidākāśe'male tvayi…

Verse 15.14 · Ashtavakra

“In whatever you perceive, you alone appear. Do bracelets, armlets and anklets appear different from the gold?”

yat tvaṃ paśyasi tatraikas tvam eva pratibhāsase…

Verse 15.15 · Ashtavakra

“Completely give up such distinctions as 'I am He' and 'I am not this.' Consider all as the Self, and be desireless and happy.”

ayaṃ so'ham ayaṃ nāhaṃ vibhāgam iti santyaja…

Verse 15.16 · Ashtavakra

“It is verily through your own ignorance that the universe exists. In reality you alone are. There is no transmigrating Jiva nor…”

tavaivājñānato viśvaṃ tvam ekaḥ paramārthataḥ…

Verse 15.17 · Ashtavakra

“One who knows for certain that this universe is but an illusion and a nothing becomes desireless and Pure Intelligence, and finds peace as…”

bhrāntimātram idaṃ viśvaṃ na kiñcid iti niścayī…

Verse 15.18 · Ashtavakra

“In the ocean of the world One only was, is and will be. You have neither bondage nor liberation. Live contented and happy.”

eka eva bhavāmbhodhāv āsīd asti bhaviṣyati…

Verse 15.19 · Ashtavakra

“O Pure Intelligence, do not disturb your mind with affirmation and negation. Be calm and abide happily in your own Self, which is Bliss…”

mā saṅkalpavikalpābhyāṃ cittaṃ kṣobhaya cinmaya…

Verse 15.20 · Ashtavakra

“Completely give up even contemplation, and hold nothing whatever in your mind. You are verily the Self and therefore free. What will you do…”

tyajaiva dhyānaṃ sarvatra mā kiñcid hṛdi dhāraya…