Ashtavakra Gita · Verse 15.3 · Ashtavakra speaks
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 enjoy the world.
Word by word
वाग्मि
vāgmi
eloquent
adjective (compound stem)
प्राज्ञ
prājña
wise
adjective (compound stem)
महोद्योगम्
mahodyogam
very active
adjective, masculine, accusative singular
जनम्
janam
person
noun, masculine, accusative singular
मूकजडालसम्
mūkajaḍālasam
mute, inert and inactive
adjective, masculine, accusative singular
करोति
karoti
makes
verb, present, 3rd person singular
तत्त्वबोधः
tattvabodhaḥ
knowledge of the Truth
noun, masculine, nominative singular
Not to be taken literally: when the Self who is the All is realized, nothing remains to be attained, so talking, knowing and doing cease of themselves. This silence is the mark of highest realization, not mere outward inactivity.
अयम्
ayam
this
pronoun, masculine, nominative singular
अतः
ataḥ
hence
adverb
त्यक्तः
tyaktaḥ
is shunned, abandoned
past participle, masculine, nominative singular
बुभुक्षुभिः
bubhukṣubhiḥ
by those who want to enjoy
adjective, masculine, instrumental plural
Worldly or heavenly enjoyment is impossible in that high state; the worldly mind is diametrically opposed to that of the Knower of the Self.