Ashtavakra Gita · Verse 5.3 · Ashtavakra speaks
The universe, though manifest to the senses, does not truly exist in you who are pure — for it is unreal, like the snake in the rope. Thus verily do you enter into the state of Dissolution.
Word by word
प्रत्यक्षम्
pratyakṣam
directly perceived, visible to the senses
adjective/adverb, neuter, nominative singular
अपि
api
even, although
particle, concessive
अवस्तुत्वात्
avastutvāt
due to being unreal, non-substantial
abstract noun, neuter, ablative singular (a + vastu + tva)
Avastutvāt — on account of its non-substantiality or unreality. The phenomenal world, though perceived by the senses, is avastutva (non-real), because it has no independent existence apart from Brahman/Ātman. Perception does not confer reality.
विश्वम्
viśvam
universe, world
noun, neuter, nominative singular
नास्ति
nāsti
does not exist
verb, 3rd person singular, present indicative (na + asti)
अमले
amale
in you who are pure, spotless
adjective, masculine/neuter, locative singular (or vocative: 'O pure one')
Amala — spotless, utterly pure. The commentary states: the illusion of the world can never affect the Self. Just as a rope is not made impure by the illusory snake seen upon it, the Self is unstained by the superimposed appearance of the universe.
त्वयि
tvayi
in you
pronoun, 2nd person, locative singular
रज्जुसर्पः
rajjusarpaḥ
snake in the rope
compound noun, masculine, nominative singular (tatpuruṣa: rajju + sarpa)
Rajjusarpa — the classical Vedāntic metaphor for adhyāsa (superimposition): a rope is mistaken for a snake in dim light. The snake has no independent existence — only the rope is real. So too, the phenomenal world is superimposed on Brahman; only Brahman is real. This example appears in Śaṅkarācārya's Brahmasūtra Bhāṣya as foundational to Advaita epistemology.
इव
iva
like, as
particle, comparative
व्यक्तम्
vyaktam
manifested, apparent, visible
past passive participle of vi + √añj, neuter, nominative singular
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