Ashtavakra Gita · Verse 9.7 · Ashtavakra speaks
Look upon the modifications of the elements as nothing in reality but the primary elements themselves, and you will at once be free from bondage and abide in your true self.
Word by word
पश्य
paśya
look, see, perceive
verb, imperative, 2nd person singular (root: paś/dṛś)
भूतविकारांस्
bhūtavikārān
modifications of elements
compound noun, masculine, accusative plural (bhūta + vikāra)
The vikāras (modifications) of the bhūtas (elements) include the body, mind, and senses. In reality all these are nothing but the five basic elements (pañcabhūta) differing only in the patterns of combination — the same substance at different levels of elaboration.
त्वं
tvaṃ
you
personal pronoun, nominative singular
भूतमात्रान्
bhūtamātrān
as mere elements only
compound noun, masculine, accusative plural (bhūta + mātra)
यथार्थतः
yathārthataḥ
in reality, truly
compound adverb (yathā + artha + suffix -taḥ)
तत्क्षणाद्
tat kṣaṇāt
at that very instant
compound noun, masculine, ablative singular
बन्धनिर्मुक्तः
bandhanirmuktaḥ
free from bondage
compound adjective, masculine, nominative singular (bandha + nirmukta)
Bandha — bondage — consists in attraction to the body and the things of the world, which are but different modifications of the primary elements. When all things are seen as the same substance, likes and dislikes vanish, and bondage dissolves.
स्वरूपस्थो
svarūpasthaḥ
abiding in own nature
compound adjective, masculine, nominative singular (sva + rūpa + stha)
Svarūpastha — 'established in one's own essential nature' — describes the natural state (sahaja) of the jñānī. It is not an attainment but a recognition of what was always the case: the pure self (Ātman) unchanged beneath all appearances.
भविष्यसि
bhaviṣyasi
you will be, you shall become
verb, future, 2nd person singular