Ashtavakra Gita · Verse 7.1 · Janaka speaks
In me, the boundless ocean, the ark of the universe moves hither and thither impelled by the wind of its own nature. I am not impatient.
Word by word
मयि
mayi
in me
pronoun, first person, locative singular
अनन्त
ananta
boundless, infinite
adjective, masculine, compound stem
Ananta (infinite/boundless) is one of the essential descriptors of the Self (ātman) in Advaita Vedanta — without beginning, end, or limit.
महाम्भोधौ
mahāmbhodhau
in the great ocean
noun, masculine, locative singular (mahā + ambhodhi)
The great ocean (mahāmbhodhi) is the primary metaphor of Chapter 7 for the infinite, unaffected Self. As an ocean is unstirred by ships upon it, the Self is unaffected by the movements of the universe.
विश्वपोतः
viśva-potaḥ
ark/ship of the universe
compound noun, masculine, nominative singular (viśva + pota)
The universe (viśva) is likened to a vessel (pota) sailing on the ocean of the Self. The vessel moves; the ocean is unmoved. This negates any causal or affective relationship between the world and the Self.
इतस्ततः
itastataḥ
hither and thither
indeclinable adverb
भ्रमति
bhramati
wanders, moves
verb, present indicative, 3rd person singular (√bhram)
स्वान्तवातेन
svānta-vātena
by its own inherent wind
compound noun, masculine, instrumental singular (sva + anta + vāta)
The universe moves by its own inherent nature (svabhāva), not through any will or agency of the Self. This reflects the Advaita teaching that māyā/prakṛti operates autonomously, while the witnessing Self (sākṣī) remains uninvolved.
न
na
not
negative particle
मम
mama
my, of me
pronoun, first person, genitive singular
अस्ति
asti
is, exists
verb, present indicative, 3rd person singular (√as)
असहिष्णुता
asahiṣṇutā
impatience, agitation
noun, feminine, nominative singular (a + sahiṣṇu + tā)
Asahiṣṇutā — translated as 'impatience' but more precisely the state of being affected or disturbed. The translation's footnote clarifies: 'not affected.' Janaka's declaration that he has no asahiṣṇutā means the Self is the ever-undisturbed witness.