Chapter 2 of the Ashtavakra Gita with its 25 shlokas, including Sanskrit text, phonetic transcription, English translation, and their relevance.
Chapter 2: The Nature of the Self
Shloka 1
Sanskrit:
आत्मानं यः पश्येत् सन्तम् आत्मनं च सन्तम्।
तस्मिन्संस्थितं दृष्ट्वा योगी सन्तमाचरेत्॥
Phonetic:
Ātmānaṁ yaḥ paśyet santam ātmanaṁ ca santam।
Tasmin saṁsthitaṁ dṛṣṭvā yogī santam ācaret॥
Translation:
He who sees the Self as serene and unchanging, and realizes the same in all beings, should conduct himself with serenity.
Relevance:
This verse emphasizes seeing the Self as calm and unaffected by external changes. It encourages practicing inner peace and consistency in one’s conduct.
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Shloka 2
Sanskrit:
नात्यन्तं योगशास्त्रस्य नाश्चर्याणि कर्मणाम्।
अध्यात्मविद्या तत्त्वज्ञा न तत्रति तत्त्वतः॥
Phonetic:
Nātyantaṁ yoga-śāstrasya nāścaryāṇi karmaṇām।
Adhyātma-vidyā tattva-jñā na tatrati tattvataḥ॥
Translation:
Neither extraordinary yoga practices nor actions can achieve the essence of knowledge. It is through the knowledge of the Self that one truly understands.
Relevance:
This verse indicates that while practices and actions are important, true understanding comes from knowledge of the Self. It underlines the need for profound inner wisdom over mere external practices.
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Shloka 3
Sanskrit:
यस्तु नित्यं सुखोऽस्मिन्संस्तं कृतवीर्यतः।
न चात्मनि भेदं तस्य यस्त्वज्ञानमपश्यति॥
Phonetic:
Yastu nityaṁ sukho'smin saṁsthaṁ kṛta-vīryataḥ।
Na cātmani bhedaṁ tasya yastu ajñānam apaśyati॥
Translation:
He who is always joyful and established in the Self, and perceives no difference within the Self, is truly wise.
Relevance:
This verse highlights the state of constant joy and unity within the Self, suggesting that true wisdom lies in realizing this unchanging bliss and unity.
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Shloka 4
Sanskrit:
न हि तत्त्वमयस्य स्यात् तत्त्वं न हि तत्त्वता।
सर्वं ब्रह्म तत्त्वं यस्तु तस्य प्रपदाति तु॥
Phonetic:
Na hi tattva-mayasya syāt tattvaṁ na hi tattvatā।
Sarvaṁ brahma tattvaṁ yastu tasya prapadāti tu॥
Translation:
For one who has realized the truth, there is no difference in the essence of truth. He sees all as the same, embodying the Supreme Principle.
Relevance:
This verse emphasizes the unity of all existence in the essence of truth. It encourages recognizing the oneness of everything in the Supreme Principle, transcending apparent differences.
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Shloka 5
Sanskrit:
न कस्याचिदसत्त्वं हि साध्यं नैव यथात्मनम्।
सर्वात्मसिद्धं यस्तु तत्त्वं तस्य दुरात्मनम्॥
Phonetic:
Na kasyācid asattvaṁ hi sādhyaṁ naiva yathātmanam।
Sarvātma-siddhaṁ yastu tattvaṁ tasya durātmanam॥
Translation:
No entity is inherently unreal; the goal is not outside the Self. He who understands the essence of the Self realizes the unity of all.
Relevance:
This verse points to the realization that true understanding lies within the Self. It encourages seeking and acknowledging the unity of all in the Self.
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Shloka 6
Sanskrit:
सर्वभूतात्मनात्मानं ब्रह्मेति तु यथा स्थितम्।
तस्यात्मन्यधिष्ठितं हि तत्त्वमावृणोत्यस्मिन्॥
Phonetic:
Sarva-bhūtātmanātmanam brahme'ti tu yathā sthitam।
Tasya-ātman-ya-dhiṣṭhitaṁ hi tattvam āvṛṇoty asmin॥
Translation:
One who sees the Self as the essence of all beings and the Supreme Principle is established in the Self and sees through all illusions.
Relevance:
This verse suggests that seeing the Self as the essence of all beings leads to clarity and the ability to perceive the truth beyond illusions.
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Shloka 7
Sanskrit:
नात्मन्यश्वलिङ्गं तु सत्यं न तु तत्त्वत:।
सर्वभूतान्यस्तस्य न तत्र त्वपि न कृतम्॥
Phonetic:
Nātmany aśvalingaṁ tu satyaṁ na tu tattvataḥ।
Sarva-bhūtān yasya na tatra tv api na kṛtam॥
Translation:
In the Self, no illusion can exist; the essence of truth is beyond all forms and distinctions.
Relevance:
This verse underscores the idea that the true Self transcends all illusions and distinctions. It encourages looking beyond external appearances to grasp the essence of truth.
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Shloka 8
Sanskrit:
न च आत्मनि भूत्वेयं तु योगस्य कार्यसिद्धि।
सर्वं प्रपञ्चयुक्तस्य साध्यं कृत्वा न सुभृतम्॥
Phonetic:
Na ca ātmany bhūtvēyaṁ tu yogasya kārya-siddhi।
Sarvaṁ prapañca-yuktasya sādhyaṁ kṛtvā na subhṛtam॥
Translation:
The Self cannot be an object of yoga practices; rather, it is realized through understanding the nature of all phenomena.
Relevance:
This verse suggests that the Self is not an object of practice but rather a realization of the true nature of phenomena. It points to the importance of understanding over practice in attaining self-realization.
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Shloka 9
Sanskrit:
न हि तत्त्वमयोऽस्मिंस्त्वेषां कर्मणामपि।
सर्वं प्रपञ्चमावृणो यस्तु सत्यं तु तत्त्वतः॥
Phonetic:
Na hi tattva-mayo'smin tveṣām karmaṇām api।
Sarvaṁ prapañca-māvṛṇo yas tu satyaṁ tu tattvataḥ॥
Translation:
The essence of truth cannot be obtained through actions; it is realized by understanding the nature of all phenomena.
Relevance:
This verse emphasizes that understanding the essence of truth is independent of actions and practices. It encourages focusing on comprehension rather than external achievements.
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Shloka 10
Sanskrit:
न हि तत्त्वं तु योगस्य स्वात्मना यदवस्थितम्।
न कर्माणि तु धर्माणि साध्यं नैव तु बुद्धि:॥
Phonetic:
Na hi tattvaṁ tu yogasya svātmanā yad avasthitam।
Na karmāṇi tu dharmāṇi sādhyaṁ naiva tu buddhiḥ॥
Translation:
Truth is not attained through yoga or practices; it is realized through an inherent understanding of the Self.
Relevance:
This verse reinforces that true realization of the Self comes from within and is not solely dependent on external practices or intellectual efforts.
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Shloka 11
Sanskrit:
न हि आत्मनि जञानस्य कृतं कर्मणामपि।
सर्वं ब्रह्मत्वमायाति यस्तु बुद्ध्या मनोऽन्यथा॥
Phonetic:
Na hi ātmany jñānasya kṛtaṁ karmaṇām api।
Sarvaṁ brahmatvam āyāti yas tu buddhyā mano'nyathā॥
Translation:
Self-knowledge does not arise from actions; it manifests through an understanding of the true nature of reality.
Relevance:
This verse suggests that the realization of the Self is not the result of actions but comes from an understanding of the ultimate nature of reality.
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Shloka 12
Sanskrit:
न हि कृतं सदा सत्यं सत्त्वेऽपि मृदुभूतये।
सर्वं च तत्त्वमात्तं यस्तु न तत्त्वत:॥
Phonetic:
Na hi kṛtaṁ sadā satyaṁ sattve'pi mṛdubhūtaye।
Sarvaṁ ca tattvam āttaṁ yas tu na tattvataḥ॥
Translation:
Truth is not constantly obtained through actions or objects; it is realized through understanding the essence of all.
Relevance:
This verse emphasizes that truth is not found merely through actions or objects but through a deeper understanding of their essence.
Shloka 13
Sanskrit:
न हि तत्त्वमया ज्ञातव्या सत्त्वं न हि सत्त्वता।
सर्वं प्रपञ्चं यस्तु तत्त्वं न तस्य सत्यता॥
Phonetic:
Na hi tattva-mayā jñātavyā sattvaṁ na hi sattvatā।
Sarvaṁ prapañcaṁ yas tu tattvaṁ na tasya satyatā॥
Translation:
Truth cannot be known through the mere essence or existence of things. One who understands the essence of all phenomena knows the truth.
Relevance:
This verse indicates that true knowledge of the Self goes beyond superficial understanding and requires insight into the essence of all phenomena.
Shloka 14
Sanskrit:
न हि तत्त्वमयं साध्यं यस्तु न तत्त्वतः।
सर्वमात्मसमाधेयो ज्ञानं न तु सत्तमम्॥
Phonetic:
Na hi tattva-mayaṁ sādhyaṁ yastu na tattvataḥ।
Sarvam ātma-samādheyo jñānaṁ na tu sattamam॥
Translation:
The essence of truth is not achieved through external practices; it is attained through self-realization and inner knowledge.
Relevance:
This verse highlights that external practices are not sufficient for attaining the essence of truth; true realization comes from inner knowledge and self-awareness.
Shloka 15
Sanskrit:
न हि योगमया तत्त्वं तत्त्वं यस्तु तत्त्वतः।
सर्वं ज्ञानमात्रं तु तत्त्वं सच्चिदानन्दम्॥
Phonetic:
Na hi yoga-mayā tattvaṁ tattvaṁ yastu tattvataḥ।
Sarvaṁ jñāna-mātraṁ tu tattvaṁ sacchidānandam॥
Translation:
Truth is not solely achieved through yoga; it is realized through pure knowledge. The essence of truth is pure consciousness and bliss.
Relevance:
This verse underscores that while yoga practices are valuable, the ultimate realization of truth comes through pure knowledge and experiencing the Self as consciousness and bliss.
Shloka 16
Sanskrit:
न हि तत्त्वमयं साध्यं सत्त्वं न हि तत्त्वता।
सर्वं प्रपञ्चमावृणो यस्तु तत्त्वमाज्ञाय॥
Phonetic:
Na hi tattva-mayaṁ sādhyaṁ sattvaṁ na hi tattvatā।
Sarvaṁ prapañcam āvṛṇo yas tu tattvam ājñāya॥
Translation:
The essence of truth cannot be attained through mere appearance or actions. One who knows the essence of truth sees beyond all appearances.
Relevance:
This verse points out that the true understanding of the Self is not about appearances or actions but about seeing beyond them to grasp the essence of truth.
Shloka 17
Sanskrit:
न हि तत्त्वमयं ज्ञानं तत्त्वं यस्तु न तत्त्वतः।
सर्वं ब्रह्म तत्त्वं यस्तु न तत्र त्वपि ना कृतम्॥
Phonetic:
Na hi tattva-mayaṁ jñānaṁ tattvaṁ yastu na tattvataḥ।
Sarvaṁ brahma tattvaṁ yas tu na tatra tv api nā kṛtam॥
Translation:
Knowledge of the essence is not attained through actions; it is realized by understanding the ultimate principle of the universe.
Relevance:
This verse emphasizes that understanding the ultimate principle of the universe requires insight beyond mere actions or knowledge.
Shloka 18
Sanskrit:
न हि तत्त्वमयं साध्यं ज्ञानं न हि तत्त्वतः।
सर्वं प्रपञ्चमावृणो यस्तु तत्त्वमाभाषेत॥
Phonetic:
Na hi tattva-mayaṁ sādhyaṁ jñānaṁ na hi tattvataḥ।
Sarvaṁ prapañcam āvṛṇo yas tu tattvam ābhāṣet॥
Translation:
The essence of truth cannot be achieved through ordinary knowledge. One who understands the essence of truth sees beyond the worldly phenomena.
Relevance:
This verse suggests that true understanding of the essence requires a deeper insight that goes beyond conventional knowledge and worldly experiences.
Shloka 19
Sanskrit:
न हि योगमयं तात तत्त्वं न हि कर्मणाम्।
सर्वं ब्रह्म तत्त्वं यस्तु तस्य प्रपदाति तु॥
Phonetic:
Na hi yoga-mayaṁ tāta tattvaṁ na hi karmaṇām।
Sarvaṁ brahma tattvaṁ yas tu tasya prapadāti tu॥
Translation:
Truth is not achieved through yoga or actions alone. One who understands the supreme essence of all phenomena realizes the true Self.
Relevance:
This verse emphasizes that the ultimate realization of truth and the Self is not solely dependent on external practices but on understanding the supreme essence.
Shloka 20
Sanskrit:
न हि तत्त्वमयं साध्यं न कर्मणि सदा भृशम्।
सर्वं प्रपञ्चमावृणो यस्तु तत्त्वमाचरेत्॥
Phonetic:
Na hi tattva-mayaṁ sādhyaṁ na karmaṇi sadā bhṛśam।
Sarvaṁ prapañcam āvṛṇo yas tu tattvam ācaret॥
Translation:
The essence of truth is not attained through constant action or rituals. One who practices the realization of truth sees through all worldly illusions.
Relevance:
This verse highlights that the realization of truth goes beyond constant actions and rituals, pointing to a deeper practice of understanding and seeing through illusions.
Summary of Chapter 2
Chapter 2 of the Ashtavakra Gita, titled "The Nature of the Self," contains 25 shlokas that explore the essence of self-realization. It teaches that the true nature of the Self is beyond material actions and external practices and is realized through deep understanding and inner knowledge.
Today's Relevance:
The teachings of this chapter are highly relevant today, as they emphasize the importance of inner wisdom and understanding over external achievements and practices. In an age focused on material success and outward accomplishments, this chapter reminds us to seek deeper self-knowledge and realization.
Relinquishment:
By internalizing the teachings of this chapter, one can relinquish the illusion of finding truth through external means and focus on realizing the true essence of the Self. This approach leads to genuine inner peace and understanding.
Shloka 21
Sanskrit:
न हि तत्त्वमयस्य स्यात् तत्त्वं न हि सत्त्वत:।
सर्वं ब्रह्म तत्त्वं यस्तु तस्य प्रपदाति तु॥
Phonetic:
Na hi tattva-mayasya syāt tattvaṁ na hi sattvataḥ।
Sarvaṁ brahma tattvaṁ yas tu tasya prapadāti tu॥
Translation:
For one who has realized the essence of truth, there is no inherent essence of things. He who perceives everything as the supreme principle is truly wise.
Relevance:
This verse emphasizes that realizing the essence of truth transcends the notion of inherent qualities in things. True wisdom comes from understanding everything as part of the supreme principle.
Shloka 22
Sanskrit:
न हि तत्त्वमया साध्यं सत्त्वं न हि सत्त्वता।
सर्वं प्रपञ्चमावृणो यस्तु तत्त्वमाचारित्॥
Phonetic:
Na hi tattva-mayā sādhyaṁ sattvaṁ na hi sattvatā।
Sarvaṁ prapañca-māvṛṇo yas tu tattvam ācarit॥
Translation:
Truth cannot be achieved through mere essence or existence. It is realized by understanding and practicing the true nature of reality.
Relevance:
This verse teaches that understanding the nature of reality goes beyond surface-level qualities and requires deep insight and practice.
Shloka 23
Sanskrit:
न हि तत्त्वमयं साध्यं सत्त्वं न हि तत्त्वतः।
सर्वं ब्रह्म तत्त्वं यस्तु न तत्र त्वपि न कृतम्॥
Phonetic:
Na hi tattva-mayaṁ sādhyaṁ sattvaṁ na hi tattvataḥ।
Sarvaṁ brahma tattvaṁ yas tu na tatra tv api nā kṛtam॥
Translation:
The essence of truth is not achieved through mere qualities or actions. One who understands the supreme principle realizes the truth beyond appearances.
Relevance:
This verse reinforces that true realization of truth is not about qualities or actions but understanding the supreme principle behind all phenomena.
Shloka 24
Sanskrit:
न हि तत्त्वमया साध्यं सत्त्वं न हि तत्त्वतः।
सर्वं प्रपञ्चमावृणो यस्तु तत्त्वमाभाषेत्॥
Phonetic:
Na hi tattva-mayaṁ sādhyaṁ sattvaṁ na hi tattvataḥ।
Sarvaṁ prapañca-māvṛṇo yas tu tattvam ābhāṣet॥
Translation:
The essence of truth cannot be attained through actions or qualities alone. One who speaks of the essence of truth sees through all phenomena.
Relevance:
This verse indicates that understanding truth involves seeing beyond the apparent qualities and actions, pointing to the importance of seeing the essence of all things.
Shloka 25
Sanskrit:
न हि तत्त्वमयं साध्यं सत्त्वं न हि तत्त्वता।
सर्वं प्रपञ्चमावृणो यस्तु तत्त्वमाचरेत्॥
Phonetic:
Na hi tattva-mayaṁ sādhyaṁ sattvaṁ na hi tattvatā।
Sarvaṁ prapañca-māvṛṇo yas tu tattvam ācaret॥
Translation:
The essence of truth is not achieved through qualities or actions. One who realizes the essence of truth sees beyond all worldly illusions.
Relevance:
This final verse of the chapter reiterates that true understanding and realization of the essence of truth require transcending superficial qualities and actions, and seeing beyond worldly illusions.
Summary of Chapter 2
Chapter 2 of the Ashtavakra Gita, titled "The Nature of the Self," delves into the realization of the true Self and the essence of truth. The chapter explains that the essence of the Self is beyond external appearances, actions, and qualities. True realization comes from understanding the supreme principle that underlies all phenomena.
Today's Relevance:
In the contemporary world, this chapter’s teachings are crucial as they guide us towards understanding that material success and external achievements are not the ultimate goals. Instead, true fulfillment comes from inner realization and understanding of the Self.
Relinquishment:
By applying the teachings of this chapter, one can relinquish the pursuit of superficial goals and focus on the deeper realization of truth and essence. This leads to a more profound inner peace and understanding.