Ashtavakra Gita · Verse 5.2 · Ashtavakra speaks
The universe rises from you like bubbles from the sea. Thus, having known the Atman to be one, even thus enter into the state of Dissolution.
Word by word
उदेति
udeti
rises, emerges
verb, 3rd person singular, present indicative of ud + √i
भवतः
bhavataḥ
from you
pronoun, 2nd person honorific, ablative/genitive singular
विश्वम्
viśvam
universe, all
noun, neuter, nominative singular
Viśva — the entire phenomenal universe — is shown here as emerging from the Self just as bubbles emerge from water. The commentary notes: the reality of the phenomenal world is no other than the Self itself. The world has no independent reality apart from Ātman.
वारिधेः
vāridheḥ
from the sea, from the ocean
noun, masculine, genitive singular (vāri + dhi, 'holder of water')
इव
iva
like, as
particle, comparative
बुद्बुदः
budbuda(ḥ)
bubble(s)
noun, masculine, nominative plural (or singular collective)
The bubble analogy is precise: a bubble appears distinct from the ocean but is entirely made of water and returns to it without a trace. Similarly the world arises from and is made of the Self, and dissolves back into it — apparent multiplicity concealing underlying unity.
इति
iti
thus, in this way
particle, quotative/conclusive
ज्ञात्वा
jñātvā
having known
gerund (ktvā-form) of √jñā, indeclinable
Jñātvā — having known directly, not merely intellectually. In Advaita Vedānta, jñāna of the Self's non-dual nature is the direct means of liberation. The gerund form implies that the knowing precedes and enables the entry into laya.
एकम्
ekam
one, single
numeral adjective, accusative singular
Ekam — one, without a second (ekam evādvitīyam). The recognition that Ātman is one negates the illusory multiplicity of the universe. The Upaniṣadic resonance is deliberate: this is the core non-dual declaration.
आत्मानम्
ātmānam
the Self, Ātman
noun, masculine, accusative singular
Ātman — the pure, eternal, all-pervading Self — is the central teaching of the Ashtavakra Gītā. Here Ashtavakra identifies the student's true nature as the one Ātman from which the entire universe arises, like the ocean underlying all its bubbles.
एवमेव
evam eva
even thus, just so
adverbial compound (emphatic particle)
लयम्
layam
dissolution, absorption
noun, masculine, accusative singular
व्रज
vraja
enter, attain
verb, 2nd person singular, imperative of √vraj