Ashtavakra Gita · Verse 3.11 · Ashtavakra speaks
Realizing this universe as mere illusion and losing all interest therein, how can one of steady mind fear even the approach of death?
Word by word
मायामात्रम्
māyāmātram
mere illusion, only māyā
compound noun, neuter, accusative singular
Māyā — the creative power of superimposition that makes the non-Self appear as real. Māyāmātram means 'nothing but illusion'. The Self is eternal; births and deaths are really illusory phenomena.
इदम्
idam
this
demonstrative pronoun, neuter, nominative singular
विश्वम्
viśvam
the universe
noun, neuter, nominative singular
पश्यन्
paśyan
seeing, realizing
present active participle, masculine, nominative singular
विगतकौतुकः
vigatakatukaḥ
with curiosity/interest gone, uninterested
compound adjective, masculine, nominative singular
अपि
api
even
particle
सन्निहिते
sannihite
approaching, imminent
adjective, masculine/neuter, locative singular
मृत्यौ
mṛtyau
at death
noun, masculine, locative singular
कथम्
katham
how
interrogative adverb
त्रस्यति
trasyati
fears, trembles
verb, third person singular, present
धीरधीः
dhīradhīḥ
one of steady/firm wisdom
compound noun, masculine, nominative singular
Dhīradhī — one whose buddhi (intelligence) is dhīra (unshakeable). A compound doubling the quality of steadiness to describe the fully realized sage.