Ashtavakra Gita · Verse 7.3 · Janaka speaks
In me, the boundless ocean, is the imagination of the universe. I am highly tranquil and formless. In this alone do I abide.
Word by word
मयि
mayi
in me
pronoun, first person, locative singular
अनन्त
ananta
boundless, infinite
adjective, masculine, compound stem
महाम्भोधौ
mahāmbhodhau
in the great ocean
noun, masculine, locative singular
विश्वम्
viśvam
the universe, world
noun, neuter, nominative singular
नाम
nāma
called, named, merely
indeclinable particle
विकल्पना
vikalpanā
imagination, mental construct
noun, feminine, nominative singular (vi + √kḷp + anā)
Vikalpanā (imagination/conceptual superimposition) is a core Advaita term. The universe has no independent existence — it arises only as a mental projection (adhyāsa) upon the substratum of Brahman/Self. When the projection ceases, only Brahman remains. Cf. the rope-snake analogy central to Advaita epistemology.
अतिशान्तः
atiśāntaḥ
supremely tranquil
adjective, masculine, nominative singular (ati + śānta)
Atiśānta (supremely/highly tranquil) — transcends ordinary śānti (peace). The Self's peace is not a state achieved through effort but its intrinsic nature, undisturbed by the appearance of the world.
निराकारः
nirākāraḥ
formless, without form
adjective, masculine, nominative singular (nir + ākāra)
Nirākāra (formless) — the Self has no shape, colour, or spatial extension. This negates any anthropomorphic or cosmic-form conception of the Self. It is nirguṇa brahman — pure, undifferentiated consciousness beyond all form.
एतत्
etat
in this alone
demonstrative pronoun, neuter, nominative/accusative
एव
eva
alone, only
emphatic particle
अहम्
aham
I
pronoun, first person, nominative singular
आस्थितः
āsthitaḥ
abide, am established
past passive participle, masculine, nominative singular (ā + √sthā)
Āsthitaḥ (established/abiding) — denotes steady, effortless, natural abidance in the Self. This refrain ('etad evāham āsthitaḥ') appears in both verses 7.3 and 7.4, reinforcing the unconditional nature of Janaka's realization.