Ashtavakra Gita : contemplations on random verses

[Unseeking Seeker]

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The quietus

These final verses are beyond translating
Transcending mind and so known by becoming
In, within, so close
When we be in repose
In tranquility
One with entirety
Only the pure of heart
May embark
Upon the pathless path
Each moment in time a holy sabbath


19.1
“With the tongs of Truth
I have plucked the thorn of thinking
from the innermost cave
of my heart”

19.2
“Where is meditation, pleasure, prosperity
or discrimination? Where is duality?
Where even is Unity?
I abide in the glory of Self”

19.3
“Where is past and future,
or even present?
Where is space, or even eternity?
I abide in the glory of Self”

19.4
“Where is Self?
Where is not-Self?
Where is good and evil,
confusion and clarity?
I abide in the glory of Self”

19.5
“Where is sleeping, dreaming, waking,
or even the fourth state?
Where is fear?
I abide in the glory of Self”

19.6
“Where is close or far,
in or out,
gross or subtle?
I abide in the glory of Self”

19.7
“Where is life and death?
Where is the world and worldly relations?
Where is distraction and stillness?
I abide in the glory of Self”

19.8
“There is no need to talk about
the three ends of life
To talk of yoga is purposeless
Even talking about Truth is irrelevant
I rest in Self alone”

20.1
“Where are the elements,
the body, the organs, the mind?
Where is the void?
Where is despair?
My nature is transparent clearness”

20.2
“Where is scripture?
Where is Self-knowledge?
Where is no-mind?
Where is contentment and freedom from desire?
I am empty of two-ness”

20.3
“Where is Knowledge and ignorance?
Where is “I”?
Where is “this”?
Where is “mine”?
Where is bondage and liberation?
Self has no attributes”

20.4
“Where is the unfolding of karma?
Where is liberation-in-life,
or even liberation at death?
There is only One”

20.5
“Where is the doer or enjoyer?
Where is the origin or end of thought?
Where is direct or reflected knowledge?
There is no person here”

20.6
“Where is the world?
Where is the seeker of liberation”
Where is the contemplative?
Where is the man of Knowledge?
Where is the soul in bondage?
Where is the liberated soul?
My nature is Unity”

20.7
“Where are creation and destruction?
Where is the end and the means?
Where is the seeker?
Where is attainment?
I am One”

20.8
“Where is the knower?
Where is knowing?
Where is the known,
or knowledge itself?
Where is anything?
Where is nothing?
I am pure Awareness”

20.9
“Where is distraction, concentration,
knowledge or delusion?
Where is joy or sorrow?
I am Stillness”

20.10
“Where is the relative?
Where the transcendent?
Where is happiness or misery?
I am empty of thought”

20.11
“Where is illusion?
Where is existence?
Where is attachment or non-attachment?
Where is person?
Where is God?
I am Awareness”

20.12
“Where is activity or inactivity?
Where is liberation or bondage?
I am timeless, indivisible
I am Self alone”

20.13
“Where are principles and scriptures?
Where is the disciple or teacher?
Where is the reason for life?
I am boundless, Absolute”

20.14
“Where is existence or non-existence?
Where is Unity or duality?
Nothing emanates from me
No more can be said”

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[Unseeking Seeker]

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The verse concludes
Even as our renewal continues

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[Unseeking Seeker]

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“You are pure awareness.
The world is an illusion, nothing more.
When you understand this fully, desire falls away.
You find peace.
For indeed! There is nothing.” (15.17 - translation from yogananda.com)

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[Unseeking Seeker]

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“You are unattached, actionless, Self-effulgent and without any blemish. This indeed is your bondage, that you practice meditation.“

- Ashtavakra Samhita

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[Unseeking Seeker]

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“Knowledge, knower & the knowable - these three things do not exist in reality. I Am that stainless Self in which this triad appears through ignorance.

Oh! The root of misery is duality. There is no other remedy for it except the realisation that all objects of realisation are unreal and that I Am Pure, One, Consciousness & Bliss.”

- Ashtavakra Samhita

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[Unseeking Seeker]

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“It is bondage when the mind is attached to any sense experience.
It is liberation when the mind is detached from all sense experiences “

- Ashtavakra Samhita

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[Unseeking Seeker]

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“ I am not the body, nor is the body mine. I am consciousnesses itself.”

- Ashtavakra Samhita

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[Unseeking Seeker]

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“Oh pure intelligence, do not disturb your mind with affirmations and negations.
Be calm and abide in your own self which is bliss alone.”

- Ashtavakra Samhita

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[Unseeking Seeker]

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“ Completely give up even contemplation and hold nothing in your mind. You are verily the Self, always free. What will you do by thinking?”

- Ashtavakra Samhita

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[Unseeking Seeker]

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“ Rare in this world is he on whom impressions are not left of things which he has experienced or who does not desire things which he has not yet experienced.”

- Ashtavakra Samhita

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