Ashtavakra Gita · Verse 3.9 · Ashtavakra speaks
But feted and feasted or tormented, the serene person ever sees the absolute Self and is thus neither gratified nor angry.
Word by word
धीरः
dhīraḥ
the serene, steadfast wise person
adjective used as noun, masculine, nominative singular
Dhīra — the composed, unshakeable sage. From verse 9 onward, Ashtavakra shifts from describing the anomalies of the half-hearted sādhaka to portraying the true jñānī. The dhīra's mind is not agitated even when there are causes to make it so.
तु
tu
but, however
particle (adversative)
भोज्यमानः
bhojyamānaḥ
being feasted, being feted
present passive participle, masculine, nominative singular
अपि
api
even
particle
पीड्यमानः
pīḍyamānaḥ
being tormented, afflicted
present passive participle, masculine, nominative singular
सर्वदा
sarvadā
always, ever
adverb
आत्मानम्
ātmānam
the Self
noun, masculine, accusative singular
केवलम्
kevalam
only, alone, absolute
adjective/adverb, accusative
Kevala — aloneness, absoluteness; here used with ātman to indicate the sage sees only the undivided Self in everything. Kevalatva is also associated with kaivalya (absolute aloneness/freedom) in yogic thought.
पश्यन्
paśyan
seeing, beholding
present active participle, masculine, nominative singular
न
na
not
negative particle
तुष्यति
tuṣyati
is pleased, is gratified
verb, third person singular, present
न
na
not
negative particle
कुप्यति
kupyati
is angry
verb, third person singular, present