Ashtavakra Gita · Verse 2.7 · Janaka speaks
The world appears from the ignorance of the Self and disappears with the knowledge of the Self, even as the snake appears from the non-cognition of the rope and disappears with its recognition.
Word by word
आत्माज्ञानात्
ātmājñānāt
from ignorance of the Self
compound noun, neuter, ablative singular
Ātmājñāna = ignorance (ajñāna) of the true Self; the root cause of the phenomenal world's apparent existence.
जगत्
jagat
the world
noun, neuter, nominative singular
भाति
bhāti
appears, shines forth
verb, 3rd person singular, present indicative
आत्मज्ञानात्
ātmajñānāt
from knowledge of the Self
compound noun, neuter, ablative singular
Ātmajñāna = Self-knowledge; direct realization of one's nature as pure consciousness, which dissolves the apparent world.
न
na
not
negative particle
भासते
bhāsate
does not appear
verb, passive/middle, 3rd person singular, present
रज्ज्वज्ञानात्
rajjvajñānāt
from non-cognition of rope
compound noun, neuter, ablative singular
The rope-snake analogy (rajju-sarpa-nyāya) is the classical Advaita illustration of adhyāsa — superimposition of the unreal upon the real.
अहिः
ahiḥ
snake
noun, masculine, nominative singular
भाति
bhāti
appears
verb, 3rd person singular, present
तज्ज्ञानात्
tajjñānāt
from its recognition
compound, neuter, ablative singular
भासते
bhāsate
appears
verb, 3rd person singular, present
न
na
not
negative particle
हि
hi
indeed, certainly
indeclinable particle