Ashtavakra Gita · Verse 8.3 · Ashtavakra speaks

बन्धः

bandhaḥ

bondage, binding

noun, masculine, nominative singular

Having defined bondage through internal mental modifications in verses 8.1–8.2, Ashtavakra now extends the definition externally: attachment of the mind to the sense-organs (dṛṣṭi) is itself bondage.

सक्तम्

saktam

attached, clinging

past passive participle, neuter, nominative singular

Sakta (from √sañj, to cling) denotes the mind's tendency to fix itself on sense-objects through the sense-organs. This clinging is the root of saṃsāra. Cf. Bhagavad Gītā II.67 where the senses carry away the mind like a wind drives a boat.

दृष्टिषु

dṛṣṭiṣu

in the sense-organs

noun, feminine, locative plural

Dṛṣṭi literally means 'sight' or 'the seeing faculty,' and by extension any instrument of perception — any sense-organ. The term emphasizes that the primary instrument is vision, from which all other sense-contact follows. Cf. Bhagavad Gītā II.67.

मोक्षः

mokṣaḥ

liberation, release

noun, masculine, nominative singular

Mokṣa is the culminating aim of the four puruṣārthas (human goals). In Ashtavakra's non-dualist framework, mokṣa is not a future state to be achieved but the present reality of the Self when the mind's attachment to sense-organs dissolves.

असक्तम्

asaktam

unattached, non-clinging

past passive participle with negative prefix, neuter, nominative singular

Asakta (a + sakta) is the antithesis of sakta — freedom from clinging to the instruments of sense-perception. It does not mean suppression of the senses but a natural non-identification with them.