Ashtavakra Samhita Chapter 4: The Knower of the Self
Summary:This chapter describes the qualities of a person who has truly realized the Self. Such a sage moves through the world with inner steadiness, free from the emotional swings that bind ordinary beings. Even the gods long for the state that the knower of the Self attains effortlessly. Ashtavakra explains that the realized one is untouched by good or evil, just as the sky remains unaffected by smoke or clouds. Seeing the entire universe as the Self, this liberated person lives without fear, without attachment or aversion, and acts spontaneously, guided by inner freedom. Only the one with true discernment can abandon attraction and repulsion and live as the fearless, nondual Self..
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- Verse 1: Janaka said, "Oh, the stable minded knower of the Self who is engaged in the game of enjoyment bears no resemblance whatsoever to the deluded beings who are caught in the cycle of births and deaths."
- Verse 2: Oh, that state which Indra and other gods eagerly seek but become unhappy for not attaining it, situated in that state, a yogi does not show any elation at all.
- Verse 3: He who has known That (self) is untouched inside by good and evil, just as the sky is untouched by the smoke (or clouds) although it may appear so.
- Verse 4: Who can prevent the great-souled one who has known this whole world as the Self from living by chance?
- Verse 5: Of the four types of beings, from Brahma down to the last clump of grass, only the one with discerning knowledge is skillful in giving up attraction and aversion.
- Verse 6: Rare is the one who knows the Self to be nondual and the lord of the universe. He who knows thus engages in actions anywhere (he deems fit) without any fear.