Ashtavakra Gita · Verse 3.7 · Ashtavakra speaks
It is strange that knowing lust to be an enemy of Knowledge, one who has grown extremely weak and reached one's last days, should yet be eager for sensual enjoyment.
Word by word
उद्भूतम्
udbhūtam
produced, arisen
past passive participle, masculine, accusative singular
ज्ञानदुर्मित्रम्
jñānadurmitram
enemy of Knowledge
compound noun, masculine, accusative singular
Jñāna — liberating knowledge of the Self. Kāma (desire/lust) is here called its durmitra — bad friend or enemy. The verse parallels Gita III.37-43 where kāma is identified as the all-devouring enemy of the wise.
अवधार्य
avadhārya
having ascertained, knowing for certain
verb, gerund
अतिदुर्बलः
atidurbalaḥ
extremely weak
compound adjective, masculine, nominative singular
आश्चर्यम्
āścaryam
strange, wonderful
noun, neuter, nominative singular
कामम्
kāmam
sensual enjoyment, desire
noun, masculine, accusative singular
Kāma — desire, here specifically sensual craving. Even facing death, the unawakened clings to desire. This is the fundamental irony of conditioned existence.
आकाङ्क्षेत्
ākāṅkṣet
should desire, longs for
verb, third person singular, optative
कालम्
kālam
time, death
noun, masculine, accusative singular
अन्तम्
antam
end, last days
noun/adjective, accusative singular
अनुश्रितः
anuśritaḥ
having approached, reached
past passive participle, nominative singular