Ashtavakra Gita/Ashtavakreeyam – Chapter
- 18
Chapter -18 – Characteristics of
Athmajjyani -1
Sage Ashtavakra speaks “Oh! Rajan, a
dull-minded person cannot achieve perfect control over sense, even if he tries
hard to achieve it. The Athmajjyani who always immerses in the contemplation of
supreme Bhramam achieves perfect control over sense even in the most difficult
situations. Oh! Rajan, Vishayasaktha lacks the knowledge of all-pervasive
supreme Bhramam resides as soul in living beings, therefore they believe The universe and its living beings as ‘real’, Viraktha believes nothing is ‘real’,
an Athmajjyani considers himself as the part of that Bhramam and there is nothing is real other
than the all-pervasive Bhramam. Oh! Rajan, the dull-minded soaked in worldly
matters and bondage, does not understand the pure Bhramam which has no duality,
they engage in Sagunaworship and continues to do the same until the death, and
therefore they do not achieve satisfaction. Oh! Rajan, Mumukshu remains independent, free
from afflictions, bondage, and attachments to worldly matters. Mumukshu
considers the worldly matters, and bondage as a wild bear, hence they take
shelter in solitude and immerses in the contemplation upon that supreme
Bhramam. Oh! Rajan, Jjyani who is free from
Vasana/attributes, appears as the fierce lion that drives away untamed elephants
like Vasana from their vicinity. Oh! Rajan, Jjyani who is free from false notions
and serene won’t practice the various methods to achieve Mukthi. Jjyanis while
living in the material world and performs activities, do not get attached to anything;
concentrate on that supreme Bhramam resides as a soul in them. Oh! Rajan, the
intellectuals/pure-minded constantly seeks Athmopadhesham from preceptors and
achieves serenity of mind, hence do not consider the tasks performed as
responsibilities or NishidhdhaKarma/unwarranted, and do not keep them free from
activities. Oh! Rajan, Jjyani is free from Raga and Dhvesha, therefore their
Karma is considered as same as the children, Rijju/jjyani performs the tasks
needed to perform according to time and zone, his auspicious and inauspicious
deeds would be like the children. Oh! Rajan, the practice of free from Raga and
Dhvesha provides Chiththashuddhi/pure intellect, Gnana/wisdom, contentment, and
eventually the Paramapadham. Oh! Rajan, the knowledge of supreme Bhramam
resides as soul, is free from Karma, and the results of Karma, this knowledge would
remove all the Chiththavriththi of the Jeeva. Oh! Rajan, Jjyani is independent,
lacks interest in worldly matters and bondage; therefore he shines in an
extraordinary way. The Asaktha/dull-minded who is drenched in worldly matters
and bondage does not achieve serenity of mind. Oh! Rajan, the Jjyani considers
the stately luxuries, and life in the cave as the same, they are free from
imaginations, bondage, worldly matters, hence they do not find any difference
in stately luxuries or life in a cave.
Oh! Rajan, the highly revered Jjyani does not find any difference or
will not have Raga or Dhvesha towards Shrothriya/listeners, Devatha/deities,
Theertham/sacred Rivers and shrines, Sthree/women, King, and dearest people. Oh! Rajan, Yogis will not feel Harsha/happiness
or Vishadha/grief upon honor or disgrace. Yogis who are often disrespected and
insults by Bhrithya/servants, Puthra/children, Kalathra/wives, Dhauhithri/grandchildren,
Gothraja/relatives, but they do not feel any difference in other’s deeds or
feel emotional.”
Kva
Nirodho Vimoodasya Yo Nirbandham
Karothi Vai | Swaramasyaiva
Dheerasya Sarvadhasava Krithrima:
||
Bhavasya
Bhavaka: Kashchinna Kimchidh Bhavakopara: | Ubhayabhavaka: Kaschidh Yevameva
Nirakula: ||
Shudhdhamadhvayamathmanam Bhavayanthi
Kubudhdhaya: | Na Thu Jananthi Sammohadhyava Jeevamanirvritha: ||
Mumukshor
Budhdhiralambam Antharena Na
Vidhyathe | Niralambaiva Nishkama Budhdhir Mukthasya Sarvadha ||
Vishaya Dhveepino Veekshya Chakitha: Sharanarththina: | Vishanthi
Jadithi Krodam Nirodhaikagra Sidhdhaye ||
Nirvasanam Harim Dhrishtva Thushneem Vishayadhanthina: | Palayanthe Na Shakthasthe Sevanthe Krithachatava: ||
Na Mukthikarikam Dhaththe Ni:shanko Yukthamanasa: |Pashyan Shrinvan
Sprushan Jighrannashnnasthe Yadhasukham ||
Vasthu Shravana Mathrena Shudhdha Budhdhir Nirakula: | Naivacharamanacharamaudhasyam
Va Prapashyathi ||
Yadha
Yath Karthumayathi Thadha Thath Kuruthe
Riju: | Shubham Vapyashubham Vapi
Thasya Cheshta Hi Balavath ||
Swathanthryath Sukhamapnothi Swathanthrya
Labathe Param | Swathanthryannirvrithim Gaccheth Swathanthryath Paramam Padham
||
Akarthruthvamabhokrithvam Swathmano
Manyathe Yadha | Thadha Ksheena Bhavanthyeva
Samasthahchiththavriththaya : ||
Ucchrumkhalapya Krithika Sthithir
Dheerasya Rajathe | Na Thu Saspruha Chiththasya
Shanthir Moodasya Krithrima ||
Vilasanthi Mahabhogair Vishanthi
Girighvaran | Nirastha Kalpana Dheera
Abadhdha Muktha Budhdhaya: ||
Shrothriyam Devatham Theerthamanganam
Bhoopathim Priyam | Dhrishtva
Sampoojya Dheerasya Na Kapi Hridhi Vasana ||
Bhrithyai: Puthrai: Kalathraishcha Dhauhithraishchapi Gothrajai: | Vihasya Dhikritho Yogi Na Yathi Vikrithim Manak ||
