Ashtavakra Gita · Verse 6.1 · Janaka speaks
Boundless as space am I. The phenomenal world is like a jar. This is Knowledge. So it has neither to be renounced nor accepted nor destroyed.
Word by word
आकाशवत्
ākāśavat
like space
indeclinable, comparative particle (ākāśa + vat)
Just as a jar contains a space identical to infinite space, so the universe contains a reality identical with the Ātman. The Self is not bounded by any container.
अनन्तः
anantaḥ
boundless, infinite
adjective, masculine, nominative singular
अहम्
aham
I
pronoun, nominative singular, first person
घटवत्
ghaṭavat
like a jar
indeclinable, comparative particle (ghaṭa + vat)
The jar (ghaṭa) is a classic Advaita analogy: the space enclosed in a jar (ghaṭākāśa) appears limited but is in truth the same infinite space (mahākāśa). The phenomenal world similarly appears separate yet shares the same ultimate reality.
प्राकृतम्
prākṛtam
phenomenal, natural
adjective, neuter, nominative singular
Prākṛta — that which is evolved out of Prakṛti; the conditioned, manifest appearance of the world.
जगत्
jagat
world, universe
noun, neuter, nominative singular
इति
iti
thus, this is
indeclinable, quotation particle
ज्ञानम्
jñānam
knowledge, gnosis
noun, neuter, nominative singular
The higher, non-dual knowledge through which subject and object are seen as one. Once this knowledge is attained there is only the one Self; the question of renouncing, accepting, or destroying anything does not arise.
तथा
tathā
so, therefore
indeclinable adverb
एतस्य
etasya
of this (world)
demonstrative pronoun, masculine/neuter, genitive singular
न
na
not
indeclinable, negative particle
त्यागः
tyāgaḥ
renunciation, relinquishment
noun, masculine, nominative singular
From the standpoint of higher knowledge, renunciation of the world is unnecessary — the world is already the Self and nothing stands apart to be given up.
ग्रहः
grahaḥ
acceptance, grasping
noun, masculine, nominative singular
One does not feel attached to the world, nor is there anything external to grasp.
लयः
layaḥ
dissolution, negation
noun, masculine, nominative singular
The world need not be negated as something other than Ātman; from the vantage of jñāna it is already recognized as non-separate.