Sunday 15 September 2024

Four shlokas from **Chapter 14** of the **Ashtavakra Gita** in Sanskrit, with phonetic transliteration and their relevance in today’s context:

Four shlokas from **Chapter 14** of the **Ashtavakra Gita** in Sanskrit, with phonetic transliteration and their relevance in today’s context:

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### **Chapter 14 - आत्मन्यात्मानम् (The Self in the Self)**

1. **यस्त्वस्मिन्मोक्षसङ्गात्स्थितः सुखमश्नुते।**
   **न तु प्रकटते यस्तु चित्तं तत्सुखमेव सः॥1॥**

   **yastv-asmin mokṣasaṅgāt sthitaḥ sukham aśnute |**  
   **na tu prakaṭate yastu cittaṁ tat-sukhameva saḥ ||1||**

   **Phonetic:**  
   *yastv-asmin mokṣa-saṅgāt sthitaḥ sukham aśnute |*  
   *na tu prakaṭate yastu cittaṁ tat-sukhameva saḥ ||1||*

   **Relevance:** One who remains established in liberation enjoys happiness, which does not manifest for those whose mind is absorbed in that happiness.  
   This verse highlights that true happiness comes from being rooted in liberation. In the modern context, it suggests that genuine contentment arises from inner freedom rather than external circumstances.

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2. **न युक्तस्य पराणं हि धर्मस्यात्मविष्णुता।**
   **सर्वमस्त्यात्मनं दृष्ट्वा सुखं प्रत्ययमात्मनः॥2॥**

   **na yuktasya parāṇaṁ hi dharmasyātma-viṣṇutā |**  
   **sarvam astyātmanam dṛṣṭvā sukham pratyayam ātmanaḥ ||2||**

   **Phonetic:**  
   *na yuktasya parāṇaṁ hi dharmasya ātma-viṣṇutā |*  
   *sarvam astyātmanam dṛṣṭvā sukham pratyayaṁ ātmanḥ ||2||*

   **Relevance:** For one who is not united, the essence of dharma is the Self's sustenance, and seeing everything as the Self, happiness is a certainty of the Self.  
   This verse teaches that recognizing the Self in all things leads to certain happiness. In today’s world, this implies that perceiving unity and interconnectedness in all aspects of life fosters lasting joy.

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3. **न स्वात्मानं द्रष्टव्यम् आत्मनोऽस्मिन्कृतं यथा।**
   **सर्वस्य यदसारं तु यत्र प्राप्तमधः स्थितम्॥3॥**

   **na svātmanam draṣṭavyam ātmano'smin kṛtaṁ yathā |**  
   **sarvasya yadasāraṁ tu yatra prāptam adhaḥ sthitam ||3||**

   **Phonetic:**  
   *na svātmanam draṣṭavyam ātmano'smin kṛtaṁ yathā |*  
   *sarvasya yadasāraṁ tu yatra prāptam adhaḥ sthitam ||3||*

   **Relevance:** The Self should not be seen as the result of one's own actions; rather, that which is substantial in everything, where it is attained, remains below.  
   This verse indicates that the Self is not an outcome of actions but is inherent in everything. In contemporary terms, it suggests that true essence is not created but is inherently present and discovered through understanding.

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4. **न हि योगसमं सत्त्वं मनःप्राणकर्मणा।**
   **प्राप्तव्यान्न बन्धनं तु यथातत्त्वं न युक्ततः॥4॥**

   **na hi yoga-samaṁ sattvaṁ manaḥ-prāṇa-karmaṇā |**  
   **prāptavyān na bandhanaṁ tu yathātattvaṁ na yuktataḥ ||4||**

   **Phonetic:**  
   *na hi yoga-samaṁ sattvaṁ manaḥ-prāṇa-karmaṇā |*  
   *prāptavyān na bandhanaṁ tu yathātattvaṁ na yuktataḥ ||4||*

   **Relevance:** There is no equivalent to the quality of the Self in yoga, which involves mind, life force, and action. It should be attained without bondage and as per the truth.  
   This verse suggests that the quality of the Self is unparalleled in yoga, involving the integration of mind, life force, and action. It highlights the importance of achieving this understanding without attachment or constraint, promoting an approach based on truth.

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### **Relevance of Chapter 14 Today:**

Chapter 14 of the **Ashtavakra Gita** delves into the essence of self-realization and the nature of true happiness and understanding. It highlights the importance of recognizing the Self as inherent and independent of external actions or circumstances. In modern life, this chapter encourages individuals to seek true contentment through inner freedom and self-awareness rather than external achievements. It promotes a profound understanding of the Self, leading to lasting peace and happiness that transcends material or superficial pursuits.

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