Ashtavakra Gita · Verse 2.18 · Janaka speaks
I have neither bondage nor freedom. The illusion having lost its support has ceased. Oh, the universe, though existing in me, does not in reality so exist.
Word by word
न
na
not
negative particle
मे
me
my
pronoun, genitive singular
बन्धः
bandhaḥ
bondage
noun, masculine, nominative singular
Bandha = bondage; from the absolute standpoint the Self was never bound, so liberation (mokṣa) is also a relative concept.
अस्ति
asti
there is
verb, 3rd person singular, present
मोक्षः
mokṣaḥ
liberation
noun, masculine, nominative singular
Mokṣa = liberation; here transcended because the Self was never bound — a truly liberated understanding goes beyond even the concept of liberation.
वा
vā
or
indeclinable disjunction
भ्रान्तिः
bhrāntiḥ
illusion, delusion
noun, feminine, nominative singular
Bhrānti = the delusion of bondage and liberation, which dissolves when the Self's ever-free nature is recognized.
शान्ता
śāntā
pacified, ceased
past passive participle, feminine, nominative singular
निराश्रया
nirāśrayā
without support, groundless
adjective, feminine, nominative singular
अहो
aho
O!
interjection
मयि
mayi
in me
pronoun, locative singular
स्थितम्
sthitam
existing, dwelling
past passive participle, neuter, nominative singular
विश्वम्
viśvam
the universe
noun, neuter, nominative singular
वस्तुतः
vastutaḥ
in reality, essentially
indeclinable adverb
न
na
not
negative particle
मयि
mayi
in me
pronoun, locative singular
स्थितम्
sthitam
existing
past passive participle, neuter, nominative singular