Ashtavakra Gita · Verse 3.6 · Ashtavakra speaks
Strange that, abiding in supreme non-duality and intent on liberation, one should yet be subject to lust and be unsettled by the practice of amorous pastimes!
Word by word
आस्थितः
āsthitaḥ
abiding in, established in
past passive participle, masculine, nominative singular
परमाद्वैतम्
paramādvaitam
supreme non-duality
compound noun, neuter, accusative singular
Paramādvaita — the supreme non-dual reality, the highest Advaita Vedanta standpoint that there is only one undivided consciousness. Abiding in this view should render desire impossible.
मोक्षार्थे
mokṣārthe
intent on liberation
compound noun, masculine, locative singular
Mokṣa — liberation, the fourth and supreme puruṣārtha. Being intent on liberation (mokṣārthe vyavasthitaḥ) while being enslaved by desire is the central irony Ashtavakra highlights.
अपि
api
even, also
particle
व्यवस्थितः
vyavasthitaḥ
fixed, determined
past passive participle, masculine, nominative singular
आश्चर्यम्
āścaryam
how strange
noun, neuter, nominative singular
कामवशगः
kāmavaśagaḥ
subject to lust, enslaved by desire
compound adjective, masculine, nominative singular
Kāma — desire, especially sensual desire; here specifically lust. Kāma is called an enemy of jñāna in the next verse. The Gita (III.37) also identifies kāma as the great enemy.
विकलः
vikalaḥ
unsettled, distracted, weakened
adjective, masculine, nominative singular
केलिशिक्षया
keliśikṣayā
by practice of amorous pastimes
compound noun, feminine, instrumental singular