Sunday 15 September 2024

Ten shlokas from **Chapter 6** of the **Ashtavakra Gita** in Sanskrit with phonetic transliteration, followed by their relevance in today's context:

Ten shlokas from **Chapter 6** of the **Ashtavakra Gita** in Sanskrit with phonetic transliteration, followed by their relevance in today's context:

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### **Chapter 6 - प्रकृतिस्थः (Abiding in Nature)**

1. **प्रकृत्या शून्यचित्तो यः प्रविश्यति न काम्यते।**
   **स एव परमानन्दं गच्छति ज्ञानिनां प्रभुः॥1॥**

   **prakṛtyā śūnyacitto yaḥ praviśyati na kāmyate |**
   **sa eva paramānandaṁ gacchati jñānināṁ prabhuḥ ||1||**

   **Relevance:** The one who remains naturally empty-minded, without desiring anything, reaches supreme bliss. In today's context, this verse speaks to the importance of being free from desires and attachments. In a world constantly seeking gratification, real happiness comes from a peaceful and desireless mind.

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2. **यः प्रकृत्या भिन्नाभिन्नं सर्वं पश्यति निःस्पृहः।**
   **स एव परमानन्दं गच्छति ज्ञानिनां प्रभुः॥2॥**

   **yaḥ prakṛtyā bhinnābhinnaṁ sarvaṁ paśyati niḥspṛhaḥ |**
   **sa eva paramānandaṁ gacchati jñānināṁ prabhuḥ ||2||**

   **Relevance:** The one who, free from desires, sees everything as both distinct and non-distinct attains supreme bliss. This is a reminder to see the world without attachment, recognizing the unity behind apparent diversity, a powerful message for today’s divided world.

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3. **यः प्रकृत्या शून्यात्मा च ब्रह्मात्मा भवति स्थिरः।**
   **स एव परमानन्दं गच्छति ज्ञानिनां प्रभुः॥3॥**

   **yaḥ prakṛtyā śūnyātmā ca brahmātmā bhavati sthiraḥ |**
   **sa eva paramānandaṁ gacchati jñānināṁ prabhuḥ ||3||**

   **Relevance:** One who becomes stable in the realization of their emptiness and unity with the Self attains supreme bliss. In today’s world of constant mental activity, this verse highlights the need for mental stability and self-realization as a path to true happiness.

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4. **सङ्गः कर्ता न करोति सत्यं स्वभावसमर्पणात्।**
   **यथा जन्तुः करोति स्वभावात् तन्मुक्तिपथेषु॥4॥**

   **saṅgaḥ kartā na karoti satyaṁ svabhāvasamarpanāt |**
   **yathā jantuḥ karoti svabhāvāt tanmuktipatheṣu ||4||**

   **Relevance:** Just as a being acts according to its nature without attachment, so too must we act selflessly. In today’s hyper-competitive world, we can learn to act without personal gain or attachment, finding freedom in action.

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5. **सत्त्वभावं न गृह्णाति यस्मिन्प्राकृतिस्थिते।**
   **स एव परमानन्दं गच्छति ज्ञानिनां प्रभुः॥5॥**

   **sattvabhāvaṁ na gṛhṇāti yasminprākṛtisthite |**
   **sa eva paramānandaṁ gacchati jñānināṁ prabhuḥ ||5||**

   **Relevance:** The one who does not grasp any state of being, remaining established in their natural state, attains bliss. In today’s fast-paced world, where people are often caught up in achieving different states of success or failure, this verse reminds us to simply exist in our true nature.

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6. **प्रकृत्या यो न तिष्ठेत् स च तत्त्वस्मृतिपात् शमम्।**
   **विवेकात् तदनात्मानं सर्वं शून्यतया स्तितम्॥6॥**

   **prakṛtyā yo na tiṣṭhet sa ca tattvasmṛtipāt śamam |**
   **vivekāt tadanātmānaṁ sarvaṁ śūnyatayā sthitam ||6||**

   **Relevance:** The one who doesn’t abide in their true nature, losing awareness of the Self, experiences restlessness. However, by discriminating between Self and non-Self, all becomes emptiness. This verse encourages us to cultivate awareness and insight in the face of distractions.

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7. **न करोति स्वभावं यस्मिन् यः स्थिरोऽमृतं स्थितिः।**
   **स एव परमानन्दं गच्छति ज्ञानिनां प्रभुः॥7॥**

   **na karoti svabhāvaṁ yasmin yaḥ sthiro'mṛtaṁ sthitiḥ |**
   **sa eva paramānandaṁ gacchati jñānināṁ prabhuḥ ||7||**

   **Relevance:** The one who remains firm in their nature, without engaging in worldly actions, experiences immortality and bliss. This speaks to those of us looking for inner stillness in a chaotic world—only by rooting ourselves in the Self can we find true peace.

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8. **आत्मस्वभावं यो वेत्ति प्रकृतिं चान्यथा परम्।**
   **स एव परमानन्दं गच्छति ज्ञानिनां प्रभुः॥8॥**

   **ātmasvabhāvaṁ yo vetti prakṛtiṁ cānyathā param |**
   **sa eva paramānandaṁ gacchati jñānināṁ prabhuḥ ||8||**

   **Relevance:** The one who knows the true nature of the Self, as different from the external world, reaches the ultimate bliss. In today’s world of identification with external achievements, this verse teaches us to turn inward and recognize our true self.

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9. **नैवात्मा नापि चित्तं यस्मिन्पश्यति सत्त्ववित्।**
   **स एव परमानन्दं गच्छति ज्ञानिनां प्रभुः॥9॥**

   **naivātmā nāpi cittaṁ yasminpaśyati sattvavit |**
   **sa eva paramānandaṁ gacchati jñānināṁ prabhuḥ ||9||**

   **Relevance:** The wise one who sees neither the Self nor the mind, only the witness of all, attains bliss. This verse is a reminder to transcend both ego and thoughts, understanding that peace lies in the ultimate witness consciousness.

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10. **आत्मनात्मविभेदं यो न करोति यदा क्वचित्।**
   **स एव परमानन्दं गच्छति ज्ञानिनां प्रभुः॥10॥**

   **ātmanātmavibhedaṁ yo na karoti yadā kvacit |**
   **sa eva paramānandaṁ gacchati jñānināṁ prabhuḥ ||10||**

   **Relevance:** The one who makes no distinction between the Self and non-Self, at any time or place, attains bliss. This verse teaches non-duality—a key insight in today's world, where distinctions and divisions often lead to suffering.

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### **Relevance of Chapter 6 Today:**

Chapter 6 of the **Ashtavakra Gita** delves into the realization that true bliss lies in abiding in one’s natural state of pure consciousness. The teachings of this chapter have significant relevance for today’s fast-paced, distraction-filled world:

1. **Detachment from Materialism:** The chapter emphasizes the need to remain detached from the external world while recognizing our true nature as the witness. This approach can be helpful in today’s materialistic culture, where attachment to possessions and achievements often leads to suffering.

2. **Inner Stability:** As the chapter highlights the importance of staying centered in the Self, it serves as a guide for maintaining mental stability amidst the chaos and noise of modern life.

3. **Transcending Duality:** By teaching us to go beyond the dualities of good and bad, success and failure, this chapter offers a path to inner freedom and unshakable peace.

4. **Self-Realization in Daily Life:** The insights from Chapter 6 remind us that our true nature is not bound by worldly actions or outcomes, making it a powerful teaching for those seeking to balance spiritual growth with their everyday responsibilities.

In today’s world, where stress, desires, and attachments are rampant, this chapter offers timeless wisdom for finding peace through non-attachment and self-realization.

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