The Description of the Liberated Being

Aṣṭāvakra speaks

यस्य बोधोदये तावत्स्वप्नवद् भवति भ्रमः। तस्मै सुखैकरूपाय नमः शान्ताय तेजसे

yasya bodhodaye tāvatsvapnavad bhavati bhramaḥ tasmai sukhaikarūpāya namaḥ śāntāya tejase

To that radiance in whose dawning the whole delusion becomes like a dream, to that single form of joy, that peaceful light, salutation.

अर्जयित्वाखिलान् अर्थान् भोगानाप्नोति पुष्कलान्। न हि सर्वपरित्याजमन्तरेण सुखी भवेत्

arjayitvākhilān arthān bhogānāpnoti puṣkalān na hi sarvaparityājamantareṇa sukhī bhavet

A person can pile up every kind of wealth and enjoy enjoyments in plenty, and still not become happy. Without complete renunciation, happiness does not arrive.

कर्तव्यदुःखमार्तण्डज्वालादग्धान्तरात्मनः। कुतः प्रशमपीयूषधारासारमृते सुखम्

kartavyaduḥkhamārtaṇḍajvālādagdhāntarātmanaḥ kutaḥ praśamapīyūṣadhārāsāramṛte sukham

The inner self is scorched by the blazing sun of duty and obligation. Where would joy come from, except in the cool stream of inner calm?

भवोऽयं भावनामात्रो न किंचित् परमर्थतः। नास्त्यभावः स्वभावनां भावाभावविभाविनाम्

bhavo'yaṃ bhāvanāmātro na kiṃcit paramarthataḥ nāstyabhāvaḥ svabhāvanāṃ bhāvābhāvavibhāvinām

This world is only thought, only an act of imagining. Nothing of it is real in the ultimate sense. Those who see being and non-being clearly know that the inherent natures of things have no real non-existence to fall into either.

न दूरं न च संकोचाल्लब्धमेवात्मनः पदं। निर्विकल्पं निरायासं निर्विकारं निरंजनम्

na dūraṃ na ca saṃkocāllabdhamevātmanaḥ padaṃ nirvikalpaṃ nirāyāsaṃ nirvikāraṃ niraṃjanam

The Self's own ground is not far away, and not reached by any narrowing. It is already attained, already here. Without alternatives, without strain, without change, without stain.

व्यामोहमात्रविरतौ स्वरूपादानमात्रतः। वीतशोका विराजन्ते निरावरणदृष्टयः

vyāmohamātraviratau svarūpādānamātrataḥ vītaśokā virājante nirāvaraṇadṛṣṭayaḥ

The moment infatuation ceases, simply by taking hold of one's own nature, those whose vision is now unveiled shine, sorrow gone.

समस्तं कल्पनामात्रमात्मा मुक्तः सनातनः। इति विज्ञाय धीरो हि किमभ्यस्यति बालवत्

samastaṃ kalpanāmātramātmā muktaḥ sanātanaḥ iti vijñāya dhīro hi kimabhyasyati bālavat

All this is only imagination. The Self is free, eternal. The wise one who has seen this, what is he still practicing like a child?

आत्मा ब्रह्मेति निश्चित्य भावाभावौ च कल्पितौ। निष्कामः किं विजानाति किं ब्रूते च करोति किम्

ātmā brahmeti niścitya bhāvābhāvau ca kalpitau niṣkāmaḥ kiṃ vijānāti kiṃ brūte ca karoti kim

Having ascertained that the Self is Brahman, and that being and non-being are only imagined, what does the desireless one know, speak, or do?

अयं सोऽहमयं नाहं इति क्षीणा विकल्पना। सर्वमात्मेति निश्चित्य तूष्णींभूतस्य योगिनः

ayaṃ so'hamayaṃ nāhaṃ iti kṣīṇā vikalpanā sarvamātmeti niścitya tūṣṇīṃbhūtasya yoginaḥ

This is the Self, I am that, this I am not. Such alternatives have died down. For the yogī who is silent, sure that all is Self, nothing remains to say.

न विक्षेपो न चैकाग्र्यं नातिबोधो न मूढता। न सुखं न च वा दुःखं उपशान्तस्य योगिनः

na vikṣepo na caikāgryaṃ nātibodho na mūḍhatā na sukhaṃ na ca vā duḥkhaṃ upaśāntasya yoginaḥ

For the yogī whose mind has come to rest there is no distraction, no concentration, no special insight, no dullness, no pleasure, no pain.

स्वाराज्ये भैक्षवृत्तौ च लाभालाभे जने वने। निर्विकल्पस्वभावस्य न विशेषोऽस्ति योगिनः

svārājye bhaikṣavṛttau ca lābhālābhe jane vane nirvikalpasvabhāvasya na viśeṣo'sti yoginaḥ

In a kingdom or living on alms, in gain or loss, in the village or in the forest, for the yogī whose nature is free of alternatives, no difference exists.

क्व धर्मः क्व च वा कामः क्व चार्थः क्व विवेकिता। इदं कृतमिदं नेति द्वन्द्वैर्मुक्तस्य योगिनः

kva dharmaḥ kva ca vā kāmaḥ kva cārthaḥ kva vivekitā idaṃ kṛtamidaṃ neti dvandvairmuktasya yoginaḥ

Where is duty, where is desire, where is wealth, where is even discrimination? For the yogī freed from pairs of this is done and this is not, none of these arise.

कृत्यं किमपि नैवास्ति न कापि हृदि रंजना। यथा जीवनमेवेह जीवन्मुक्तस्य योगिनः

kṛtyaṃ kimapi naivāsti na kāpi hṛdi raṃjanā yathā jīvanameveha jīvanmuktasya yoginaḥ

For the yogī who is liberated while alive, there is nothing at all to be done, no fascination in the heart. He simply lives, the way life itself lives.

क्व मोहः क्व च वा विश्वं क्व तद् ध्यानं क्व मुक्तता। सर्वसंकल्पसीमायां विश्रान्तस्य महात्मनः

kva mohaḥ kva ca vā viśvaṃ kva tad dhyānaṃ kva muktatā sarvasaṃkalpasīmāyāṃ viśrāntasya mahātmanaḥ

Where is delusion, where is the world, where is meditation on it, where is liberation? For the great being resting at the very edge of every concept, none of these are anywhere.

येन विश्वमिदं दृष्टं स नास्तीति करोतु वै। निर्वासनः किं कुरुते पश्यन्नपि न पश्यति

yena viśvamidaṃ dṛṣṭaṃ sa nāstīti karotu vai nirvāsanaḥ kiṃ kurute paśyannapi na paśyati

The one by whom all this world is seen, let him say it does not exist if he wishes. What does the desireless one do? Even seeing, he does not see.

येन दृष्टं परं ब्रह्म सोऽहं ब्रह्मेति चिन्तयेत्। किं चिन्तयति निश्चिन्तो द्वितीयं यो न पश्यति

yena dṛṣṭaṃ paraṃ brahma so'haṃ brahmeti cintayet kiṃ cintayati niścinto dvitīyaṃ yo na paśyati

The one who has seen the supreme Brahman could go on thinking I am Brahman. What thinking does the thoughtless one do, who sees no second at all?

दृष्टो येनात्मविक्षेपो निरोधं कुरुते त्वसौ। उदारस्तु न विक्षिप्तः साध्याभावात्करोति किम्

dṛṣṭo yenātmavikṣepo nirodhaṃ kurute tvasau udārastu na vikṣiptaḥ sādhyābhāvātkaroti kim

The one who has noticed his own distraction tries to restrain it. The expansive one, not distracted, what should he do, when there is nothing left to accomplish?

धीरो लोकविपर्यस्तो वर्तमानोऽपि लोकवत्। नो समाधिं न विक्षेपं न लोपं स्वस्य पश्यति

dhīro lokaviparyasto vartamāno'pi lokavat no samādhiṃ na vikṣepaṃ na lopaṃ svasya paśyati

The wise one, though he lives in a world turned upside down, moves through it like the rest. He sees in himself no samādhi, no distraction, no loss.

भावाभावविहीनो यस्तृप्तो निर्वासनो बुधः। नैव किंचित्कृतं तेन लोकदृष्ट्या विकुर्वता

bhāvābhāvavihīno yastṛpto nirvāsano budhaḥ naiva kiṃcitkṛtaṃ tena lokadṛṣṭyā vikurvatā

The wise one, who is beyond being and non-being, contented, desireless, has done nothing at all, though he goes on acting in the eyes of the world.

प्रवृत्तौ वा निवृत्तौ वा नैव धीरस्य दुर्ग्रहः। यदा यत्कर्तुमायाति तत्कृत्वा तिष्ठते सुखम्

pravṛttau vā nivṛttau vā naiva dhīrasya durgrahaḥ yadā yatkartumāyāti tatkṛtvā tiṣṭhate sukham

In engaging or in withdrawing there is no difficulty for the wise. When something comes to be done, he does it, and rests at ease.

निर्वासनो निरालंबः स्वच्छन्दो मुक्तबन्धनः। क्षिप्तः संस्कारवातेन चेष्टते शुष्कपर्णवत्

nirvāsano nirālaṃbaḥ svacchando muktabandhanaḥ kṣiptaḥ saṃskāravātena ceṣṭate śuṣkaparṇavat

Desireless, leaning on nothing, going where he pleases, his bonds gone, blown about by the wind of past tendencies, he moves like a dry leaf.

असंसारस्य तु क्वापि न हर्षो न विषादिता। स शीतलहमना नित्यं विदेह इव राजये

asaṃsārasya tu kvāpi na harṣo na viṣāditā sa śītalahamanā nityaṃ videha iva rājaye

For the one who has stepped out of the round of becoming, there is no elation anywhere, no depression. Cool-hearted always, he shines as if already without a body.

कुत्रापि न जिहासास्ति नाशो वापि न कुत्रचित्। आत्मारामस्य धीरस्य शीतलाच्छतरात्मनः

kutrāpi na jihāsāsti nāśo vāpi na kutracit ātmārāmasya dhīrasya śītalācchatarātmanaḥ

Nowhere is there anything to give up, nowhere anything to lose. For the wise one who delights in the Self, whose nature is cooler than cool, every place is the same.

प्रकृत्या शून्यचित्तस्य कुर्वतोऽस्य यदृच्छया। प्राकृतस्येव धीरस्य न मानो नावमानता

prakṛtyā śūnyacittasya kurvato'sya yadṛcchayā prākṛtasyeva dhīrasya na māno nāvamānatā

His mind by nature is empty. He acts as occasion brings action. For this wise one, who behaves like an ordinary person, neither honor nor dishonor exists.

कृतं देहेन कर्मेदं न मया शुद्धरूपिणा। इति चिन्तानुरोधी यः कुर्वन्नपि करोति न

kṛtaṃ dehena karmedaṃ na mayā śuddharūpiṇā iti cintānurodhī yaḥ kurvannapi karoti na

This action was done by the body, not by me, the pure form. The one who keeps to this conviction, even when acting, does not act.

अतद्वादीव कुरुते न भवेदपि बालिशः। जीवन्मुक्तः सुखी श्रीमान् संसरन्नपि शोभते

atadvādīva kurute na bhavedapi bāliśaḥ jīvanmuktaḥ sukhī śrīmān saṃsarannapi śobhate

He behaves as though he holds the wisdom unsayable, yet does not become a fool. Liberated while alive, happy, fortunate, even moving in the round of becoming he shines.

नाविचारसुश्रान्तो धीरो विश्रान्तिमागतः। न कल्पते न जाति न शृणोति न पश्यति

nāvicārasuśrānto dhīro viśrāntimāgataḥ na kalpate na jāti na śṛṇoti na paśyati

Not the one worn out by inquiry, but the wise one who has come to rest. He neither imagines, nor remembers, nor hears, nor sees.

असमाधेरविक्षेपान् न मुमुक्षुर्न चेतरः। निश्चित्य कल्पितं पश्यन् ब्रह्मैवास्ते महाशयः

asamādheravikṣepān na mumukṣurna cetaraḥ niścitya kalpitaṃ paśyan brahmaivāste mahāśayaḥ

Neither for the sake of samādhi nor against distraction, neither a seeker of release nor anything else, having ascertained that all this is imagined, the great-hearted one simply abides as Brahman.

यस्यान्तः स्यादहंकारो न करोति करोति सः। निरहंकारधीरेण न किंचिदकृतं कृतम्

yasyāntaḥ syādahaṃkāro na karoti karoti saḥ nirahaṃkāradhīreṇa na kiṃcidakṛtaṃ kṛtam

The one in whom the sense of I still lives, acts, even if it seems he does not. The wise one without I-sense, even when much is done, has done nothing.

नोद्विग्नं न च सन्तुष्टमकर्तृ स्पन्दवर्जितं। निराशं गतसन्देहं चित्तं मुक्तस्य राजते

nodvignaṃ na ca santuṣṭamakartṛ spandavarjitaṃ nirāśaṃ gatasandehaṃ cittaṃ muktasya rājate

Not troubled, not pleased, not a doer, free of motion, without hope, beyond doubt, the mind of the liberated one shines.

निर्ध्यातुं चेष्टितुं वापि यच्चित्तं न प्रवर्तते। निर्निमित्तमिदं किंतु निर्ध्यायेति विचेष्टते

nirdhyātuṃ ceṣṭituṃ vāpi yaccittaṃ na pravartate nirnimittamidaṃ kiṃtu nirdhyāyeti viceṣṭate

His mind does not stir, neither to meditate nor to act. Without a cause it simply moves as it moves, meditating without meditating.

तत्त्वं यथार्थमाकर्ण्य मन्दः प्राप्नोति मूढतां। अथवा याति संकोचममूढः कोऽपि मूढवत्

tattvaṃ yathārthamākarṇya mandaḥ prāpnoti mūḍhatāṃ athavā yāti saṃkocamamūḍhaḥ ko'pi mūḍhavat

Hearing the truth as it is, the slow one ends up confused. Or, even if not deluded, he shrinks back, as if dulled.

एकाग्रता निरोधो वा मूढैरभ्यस्यते भृशं। धीराः कृत्यं न पश्यन्ति सुप्तवत्स्वपदे स्थिताः

ekāgratā nirodho vā mūḍhairabhyasyate bhṛśaṃ dhīrāḥ kṛtyaṃ na paśyanti suptavatsvapade sthitāḥ

Concentration and restraint are practiced fiercely by the deluded. The wise see no task to do; they rest in their own ground, as if asleep.

अप्रयत्नात् प्रयत्नाद् वा मूढो नाप्नोति निर्वृतिं। तत्त्वनिश्चयमात्रेण प्राज्ञो भवति निर्वृतः

aprayatnāt prayatnād vā mūḍho nāpnoti nirvṛtiṃ tattvaniścayamātreṇa prājño bhavati nirvṛtaḥ

The deluded one does not arrive at peace, neither by effort nor by absence of effort. The wise one, by the bare certainty of truth alone, comes to peace.

शुद्धं बुद्धं प्रियं पूर्णं निष्प्रपंचं निरामयं। आत्मानं तं न जानन्ति तत्राभ्यासपरा जनाः

śuddhaṃ buddhaṃ priyaṃ pūrṇaṃ niṣprapaṃcaṃ nirāmayaṃ ātmānaṃ taṃ na jānanti tatrābhyāsaparā janāḥ

Pure, awake, beloved, full, free of multiplicity, without disease. People given to practice do not know this Self.

नाप्नोति कर्मणा मोक्षं विमूढोऽभ्यासरूपिणा। धन्यो विज्ञानमात्रेण मुक्तस्तिष्ठत्यविक्रियः

nāpnoti karmaṇā mokṣaṃ vimūḍho'bhyāsarūpiṇā dhanyo vijñānamātreṇa muktastiṣṭhatyavikriyaḥ

The deluded one, given to practice, does not reach liberation by works. The fortunate one, by recognition alone, abides as the unchanging free.

मूढो नाप्नोति तद् ब्रह्म यतो भवितुमिच्छति। अनिच्छन्नपि धीरो हि परब्रह्मस्वरूपभाक्

mūḍho nāpnoti tad brahma yato bhavitumicchati anicchannapi dhīro hi parabrahmasvarūpabhāk

The deluded one does not reach Brahman because he wishes to become it. The wise one, without even wishing, partakes of the very nature of the supreme.

निराधारा ग्रहव्यग्रा मूढाः संसारपोषकाः। एतस्यानर्थमूलस्य मूलच्छेदः कृतो बुधैः

nirādhārā grahavyagrā mūḍhāḥ saṃsārapoṣakāḥ etasyānarthamūlasya mūlacchedaḥ kṛto budhaiḥ

Deluded people, without ground, agitated by their grasping, keep nourishing the round of becoming. The wise cut this root of all trouble at its root.

न शान्तिं लभते मूढो यतः शमितुमिच्छति। धीरस्तत्त्वं विनिश्चित्य सर्वदा शान्तमानसः

na śāntiṃ labhate mūḍho yataḥ śamitumicchati dhīrastattvaṃ viniścitya sarvadā śāntamānasaḥ

The deluded one does not find peace, because he is trying to find peace. The wise one, having ascertained truth, has a peaceful mind always.

क्वात्मनो दर्शनं तस्य यद् दृष्टमवलंबते। धीरास्तं तं न पश्यन्ति पश्यन्त्यात्मानमव्ययम्

kvātmano darśanaṃ tasya yad dṛṣṭamavalaṃbate dhīrāstaṃ taṃ na paśyanti paśyantyātmānamavyayam

Where is any seeing of the Self for the one who clings to what he has seen? The wise do not see this and that. They see the imperishable Self.

क्व निरोधो विमूढस्य यो निर्बन्धं करोति वै। स्वारामस्यैव धीरस्य सर्वदासावकृत्रिमः

kva nirodho vimūḍhasya yo nirbandhaṃ karoti vai svārāmasyaiva dhīrasya sarvadāsāvakṛtrimaḥ

Where is restraint for the deluded one, who only ties himself up further? The wise, delighting in their own ground, are always free in a way that was never put on.

भावस्य भावकः कश्चिन् न किंचिद् भावकोपरः। उभयाभावकः कश्चिद् एवमेव निराकुलः

bhāvasya bhāvakaḥ kaścin na kiṃcid bhāvakoparaḥ ubhayābhāvakaḥ kaścid evameva nirākulaḥ

One conceives of being. Another, beyond being, conceives nothing. A third does not conceive either being or non-being. Just so, the one beyond agitation.

शुद्धमद्वयमात्मानं भावयन्ति कुबुद्धयः। न तु जानन्ति संमोहाद्यावज्जीवमनिर्वृताः

śuddhamadvayamātmānaṃ bhāvayanti kubuddhayaḥ na tu jānanti saṃmohādyāvajjīvamanirvṛtāḥ

Those of poor understanding meditate on the Self as pure and non-dual, but do not know it, because of confusion. They go their whole life unsatisfied.

मुमुक्षोर्बुद्धिरालंबमन्तरेण न विद्यते। निरालंबैव निष्कामा बुद्धिर्मुक्तस्य सर्वदा

mumukṣorbuddhirālaṃbamantareṇa na vidyate nirālaṃbaiva niṣkāmā buddhirmuktasya sarvadā

The seeker's mind does not exist without leaning on something. The mind of the liberated, always, is unleaning, desireless.

विषयद्वीपिनो वीक्ष्य चकिताः शरणार्थिनः। विशन्ति झटिति क्रोडं निरोधैकाग्रसिद्धये

viṣayadvīpino vīkṣya cakitāḥ śaraṇārthinaḥ viśanti jhaṭiti kroḍaṃ nirodhaikāgrasiddhaye

Seeing the tigers of the sense-objects, those who want refuge run trembling into the lap of restraint and concentration, looking for the safety of one-pointedness.

निर्वासनं हरिं दृष्ट्वा तूष्णीं विषयदन्तिनः। पलायन्ते न शक्तास्ते सेवन्ते कृतचाटवः

nirvāsanaṃ hariṃ dṛṣṭvā tūṣṇīṃ viṣayadantinaḥ palāyante na śaktāste sevante kṛtacāṭavaḥ

But seeing the desireless one as a lion, the elephants of the sense-objects fall silent. Unable to flee, they take to flattering him.

न मुक्तिकारिकां धत्ते निःशङ्को युक्तमानसः। पश्यन् शृण्वन् स्पृशन् जिघ्रन्नश्नन्नास्ते यथासुखम्

na muktikārikāṃ dhatte niḥśaṅko yuktamānasaḥ paśyan śṛṇvan spṛśan jighrannaśnannāste yathāsukham

He does not adopt a method to be free, this fearless one, his mind in tune. Seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, eating, he stays in ease.

वस्तुश्रवणमात्रेण शुद्धबुद्धिर्निराकुलः। नैवाचारमनाचारमौदास्यं वा प्रपश्यति

vastuśravaṇamātreṇa śuddhabuddhirnirākulaḥ naivācāramanācāramaudāsyaṃ vā prapaśyati

By merely hearing the truth of what is, his mind made clean, his mind unagitated, he no longer sees right conduct or wrong conduct or indifference.

यदा यत्कर्तुमायाति तदा तत्कुरुते ऋजुः। शुभं वाप्यशुभं वापि तस्य चेष्टा हि बालवत्

yadā yatkartumāyāti tadā tatkurute ṛjuḥ śubhaṃ vāpyaśubhaṃ vāpi tasya ceṣṭā hi bālavat

Whatever comes to be done, he does it then, this straight one. Auspicious or inauspicious, his actions go like a child's.

स्वातंत्र्यात्सुखमाप्नोति स्वातंत्र्याल्लभते परं। स्वातंत्र्यान्निर्वृतिं गच्छेत्स्वातंत्र्यात् परमं पदम्

svātaṃtryātsukhamāpnoti svātaṃtryāllabhate paraṃ svātaṃtryānnirvṛtiṃ gacchetsvātaṃtryāt paramaṃ padam

By his own freedom he gains happiness. By his own freedom he gains the highest. By his own freedom he comes to peace. By his own freedom he reaches the supreme place.

अकर्तृत्वमभोक्तृत्वं स्वात्मनो मन्यते यदा। तदा क्षीणा भवन्त्येव समस्ताश्चित्तवृत्तयः

akartṛtvamabhoktṛtvaṃ svātmano manyate yadā tadā kṣīṇā bhavantyeva samastāścittavṛttayaḥ

When he holds himself to be neither doer nor enjoyer, then all the movements of the mind subside, every one.

उच्छृंखलाप्यकृतिका स्थितिर्धीरस्य राजते। न तु सस्पृहचित्तस्य शान्तिर्मूढस्य कृत्रिमा

ucchṛṃkhalāpyakṛtikā sthitirdhīrasya rājate na tu saspṛhacittasya śāntirmūḍhasya kṛtrimā

Untrammeled and unadorned, the bearing of the wise one shines. The mind that still longs cannot hold a calm that is not put on.

विलसन्ति महाभोगैर्विशन्ति गिरिगह्वरान्। निरस्तकल्पना धीरा अबद्धा मुक्तबुद्धयः

vilasanti mahābhogairviśanti girigahvarān nirastakalpanā dhīrā abaddhā muktabuddhayaḥ

They enjoy vast pleasures and they enter mountain caves. The wise have cast off imagining. Unbound, their minds released.

श्रोत्रियं देवतां तीर्थमङ्गनां भूपतिं प्रियं। दृष्ट्वा संपूज्य धीरस्य न कापि हृदि वासना

śrotriyaṃ devatāṃ tīrthamaṅganāṃ bhūpatiṃ priyaṃ dṛṣṭvā saṃpūjya dhīrasya na kāpi hṛdi vāsanā

On seeing a learned brāhmaṇa, a deity, a holy place, a fair woman, a king, a beloved, and even saluting them, in the heart of the wise no craving stirs.

भृत्यैः पुत्रैः कलत्रैश्च दौहित्रैश्चापि गोत्रजैः। विहस्य धिक्कृतो योगी न याति विकृतिं मनाक्

bhṛtyaiḥ putraiḥ kalatraiśca dauhitraiścāpi gotrajaiḥ vihasya dhikkṛto yogī na yāti vikṛtiṃ manāk

By servants, sons, wives, grandchildren, even by his own clansmen, the yogī, laughed at and insulted, does not change in the slightest.

सन्तुष्टोऽपि न सन्तुष्टः खिन्नोऽपि न च खिद्यते। तस्याश्चर्यदशां तां तां तादृशा एव जानते

santuṣṭo'pi na santuṣṭaḥ khinno'pi na ca khidyate tasyāścaryadaśāṃ tāṃ tāṃ tādṛśā eva jānate

Content, yet not content. Pained, yet not pained. That extraordinary state of his, only those like him can know.

कर्तव्यतैव संसारो न तां पश्यन्ति सूरयः। शून्याकारा निराकारा निर्विकारा निरामयाः

kartavyataiva saṃsāro na tāṃ paśyanti sūrayaḥ śūnyākārā nirākārā nirvikārā nirāmayāḥ

The round of becoming is just the sense of duty. The wise do not see it. They are of empty form, formless, unchanging, without disease.

अकुर्वन्नपि संक्षोभाद् व्यग्रः सर्वत्र मूढधीः। कुर्वन्नपि तु कृत्यानि कुशलो हि निराकुलः

akurvannapi saṃkṣobhād vyagraḥ sarvatra mūḍhadhīḥ kurvannapi tu kṛtyāni kuśalo hi nirākulaḥ

Even when doing nothing, the deluded mind is agitated everywhere. The skilful one, even when doing many things, remains unshaken.

सुखमास्ते सुखं शेते सुखमायाति याति च। सुखं वक्ति सुखं भुंक्ते व्यवहारेऽपि शान्तधीः

sukhamāste sukhaṃ śete sukhamāyāti yāti ca sukhaṃ vakti sukhaṃ bhuṃkte vyavahāre'pi śāntadhīḥ

He sits at ease, he lies at ease, he comes and goes at ease, he speaks at ease, he eats at ease. Even in the affairs of daily life, his mind is at peace.

स्वभावाद्यस्य नैवार्तिर्लोकवद् व्यवहारिणः। महाहृद इवाक्षोभ्यो गतक्लेशः स शोभते

svabhāvādyasya naivārtirlokavad vyavahāriṇaḥ mahāhṛda ivākṣobhyo gatakleśaḥ sa śobhate

He whose nature is free of complaint, who goes about like other people, unshakable as a great lake, free from torment, he shines.

निवृत्तिरपि मूढस्य प्रवृत्ति रुपजायते। प्रवृत्तिरपि धीरस्य निवृत्तिफलभागिनी

nivṛttirapi mūḍhasya pravṛtti rupajāyate pravṛttirapi dhīrasya nivṛttiphalabhāginī

Even the withdrawal of the deluded becomes engagement. Even the engagement of the wise yields the fruit of withdrawal.

परिग्रहेषु वैराग्यं प्रायो मूढस्य दृश्यते। देहे विगलिताशस्य क्व रागः क्व विरागता

parigraheṣu vairāgyaṃ prāyo mūḍhasya dṛśyate dehe vigalitāśasya kva rāgaḥ kva virāgatā

Detachment toward possessions is mostly seen in the deluded. In the one whose hope for the body itself has fallen away, where is attachment, where is its renunciation?

भावनाभावनासक्ता दृष्टिर्मूढस्य सर्वदा। भाव्यभावनया सा तु स्वस्थस्यादृष्टिरूपिणी

bhāvanābhāvanāsaktā dṛṣṭirmūḍhasya sarvadā bhāvyabhāvanayā sā tu svasthasyādṛṣṭirūpiṇī

The vision of the deluded clings always to what to think and what not to think. The very vision of the one at home in himself, free of imagining, becomes a kind of not-seeing.

सर्वारंभेषु निष्कामो यश्चरेद् बालवन् मुनिः। न लेपस्तस्य शुद्धस्य क्रियमाणोऽपि कर्मणि

sarvāraṃbheṣu niṣkāmo yaścared bālavan muniḥ na lepastasya śuddhasya kriyamāṇo'pi karmaṇi

Desireless in all his undertakings, the sage who moves like a child, in him, pure as he is, no stain attaches, though action goes on through him.

स एव धन्य आत्मज्ञः सर्वभावेषु यः समः। पश्यन् शृण्वन् स्पृशन् जिघ्रन्न् अश्नन्निस्तर्षमानसः

sa eva dhanya ātmajñaḥ sarvabhāveṣu yaḥ samaḥ paśyan śṛṇvan spṛśan jighrann aśnannistarṣamānasaḥ

Only that one is blessed who knows the Self, who is the same toward every state. Seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, eating, his mind has gone beyond thirst.

क्व संसारः क्व चाभासः क्व साध्यं क्व च साधनं। आकाशस्येव धीरस्य निर्विकल्पस्य सर्वदा

kva saṃsāraḥ kva cābhāsaḥ kva sādhyaṃ kva ca sādhanaṃ ākāśasyeva dhīrasya nirvikalpasya sarvadā

Where is the round of becoming, where is its appearance, where is goal and where is means? For the wise one, always free of alternatives, vast like the sky.

स जयत्यर्थसंन्यासी पूर्णस्वरसविग्रहः। अकृत्रिमोऽनवच्छिन्ने समाधिर्यस्य वर्तते

sa jayatyarthasaṃnyāsī pūrṇasvarasavigrahaḥ akṛtrimo'navacchinne samādhiryasya vartate

Hail to him, the renunciate of every thing, full of his own essential flavor, in whom unmade, unbroken samādhi simply goes on.

बहुनात्र किमुक्तेन ज्ञाततत्त्वो महाशयः। भोगमोक्षनिराकांक्षी सदा सर्वत्र नीरसः

bahunātra kimuktena jñātatattvo mahāśayaḥ bhogamokṣanirākāṃkṣī sadā sarvatra nīrasaḥ

What more is there to say? The great-hearted one who has known the truth, free of longing for either enjoyment or liberation, is tasteless toward everything everywhere.

महदादि जगद्द्वैतं नाममात्रविजृंभितं। विहाय शुद्धबोधस्य किं कृत्यमवशिष्यते

mahadādi jagaddvaitaṃ nāmamātravijṛṃbhitaṃ vihāya śuddhabodhasya kiṃ kṛtyamavaśiṣyate

The world of duality, beginning with the great elements, is only an expansion of name. Once it is set aside, what task remains for the pure awareness?

भ्रमभृतमिदं सर्वं किंचिन्नास्तीति निश्चयी। अलक्ष्यस्फुरणः शुद्धः स्वभावेनैव शाम्यति

bhramabhṛtamidaṃ sarvaṃ kiṃcinnāstīti niścayī alakṣyasphuraṇaḥ śuddhaḥ svabhāvenaiva śāmyati

Convinced that all this is filled with delusion, that nothing is, the pure one, of unmarked shining, comes to rest of his own nature.

शुद्धस्फुरणरूपस्य दृश्यभावमपश्यतः। क्व विधिः क्व वैराग्यं क्व त्यागः क्व शमोऽपि वा

śuddhasphuraṇarūpasya dṛśyabhāvamapaśyataḥ kva vidhiḥ kva vairāgyaṃ kva tyāgaḥ kva śamo'pi vā

For the one whose form is pure shining, who does not see the appearance of anything as object, where is rule, where is detachment, where is renunciation, where is restraint?

स्फुरतोऽनन्तरूपेण प्रकृतिं च न पश्यतः। क्व बन्धः क्व च वा मोक्षः क्व हर्षः क्व विषादिता

sphurato'nantarūpeṇa prakṛtiṃ ca na paśyataḥ kva bandhaḥ kva ca vā mokṣaḥ kva harṣaḥ kva viṣāditā

For the one who shines in endless form and does not see prakṛti at all, where is bondage, where is release, where is elation, where is depression?

बुद्धिपर्यन्तसंसारे मायामात्रं विवर्तते। निर्ममो निरहंकारो निष्कामः शोभते बुधः

buddhiparyantasaṃsāre māyāmātraṃ vivartate nirmamo nirahaṃkāro niṣkāmaḥ śobhate budhaḥ

Up to the level of the intellect, the round of becoming only revolves as māyā. Without mine, without I, without desire, the wise one shines.

अक्षयं गतसन्तापमात्मानं पश्यतो मुनेः। क्व विद्या च क्व वा विश्वं क्व देहोऽहं ममेति वा

akṣayaṃ gatasantāpamātmānaṃ paśyato muneḥ kva vidyā ca kva vā viśvaṃ kva deho'haṃ mameti vā

For the sage who sees the imperishable Self, beyond all pain, where is learning, where is the world, where is body, where is I, where is mine?

निरोधादीनि कर्माणि जहाति जडधीर्यदि। मनोरथान् प्रलापांश्च कर्तुमाप्नोत्यतत्क्षणात्

nirodhādīni karmāṇi jahāti jaḍadhīryadi manorathān pralāpāṃśca kartumāpnotyatatkṣaṇāt

If the dull-minded one drops practices like restraint, in that very moment he gets entangled in daydreams and idle chatter.

मन्दः श्रुत्वापि तद्वस्तु न जहाति विमूढतां। निर्विकल्पो बहिर्यत्नादन्तर्विषयलालसः

mandaḥ śrutvāpi tadvastu na jahāti vimūḍhatāṃ nirvikalpo bahiryatnādantarviṣayalālasaḥ

Even on hearing the truth, the slow one does not give up his confusion. Outwardly straining at freedom from concepts, inwardly longing for sense-objects.

ज्ञानाद् गलितकर्मा यो लोकदृष्ट्यापि कर्मकृत्। नाप्नोत्यवसरं कर्मं वक्तुमेव न किंचन

jñānād galitakarmā yo lokadṛṣṭyāpi karmakṛt nāpnotyavasaraṃ karmaṃ vaktumeva na kiṃcana

The one in whom action has dissolved by recognition, even though in the world's eye he is acting, finds no occasion for action, and nothing whatever to say.

क्व तमः क्व प्रकाशो वा हानं क्व च न किंचन। निर्विकारस्य धीरस्य निरातंकस्य सर्वदा

kva tamaḥ kva prakāśo vā hānaṃ kva ca na kiṃcana nirvikārasya dhīrasya nirātaṃkasya sarvadā

Where is darkness, where is light, what is to be lost, what is there to lose at all, for the unchanging wise one, fearless, always.

क्व धैर्यं क्व विवेकित्वं क्व निरातंकतापि वा। अनिर्वाच्यस्वभावस्य निःस्वभावस्य योगिनः

kva dhairyaṃ kva vivekitvaṃ kva nirātaṃkatāpi vā anirvācyasvabhāvasya niḥsvabhāvasya yoginaḥ

Where is patience, where is discrimination, where is the absence of fear, for the yogī of unspeakable nature, who has no nature of his own at all?

न स्वर्गो नैव नरको जीवन्मुक्तिर्न चैव हि। बहुनात्र किमुक्तेन योगदृष्ट्या न किंचन

na svargo naiva narako jīvanmuktirna caiva hi bahunātra kimuktena yogadṛṣṭyā na kiṃcana

There is no heaven, no hell, no liberation in life either. What more is there to say? In the yogic vision, nothing at all.

नैव प्रार्थयते लाभं नालाभेनानुशोचति। धीरस्य शीतलं चित्तममृतेनैव पूरितम्

naiva prārthayate lābhaṃ nālābhenānuśocati dhīrasya śītalaṃ cittamamṛtenaiva pūritam

He does not pray for gain. He does not grieve over loss. The cool mind of the wise is filled with nectar itself.

न शान्तं स्तौति निष्कामो न दुष्टमपि निन्दति। समदुःखसुखस्तृप्तः किंचित् कृत्यं न पश्यति

na śāntaṃ stauti niṣkāmo na duṣṭamapi nindati samaduḥkhasukhastṛptaḥ kiṃcit kṛtyaṃ na paśyati

Free of desire, he does not praise the peaceful, nor blame even the wicked. The same in sorrow and pleasure, contented, he sees nothing at all to be done.

धीरो न द्वेष्टि संसारमात्मानं न दिदृक्षति। हर्षामर्षविनिर्मुक्तो न मृतो न च जीवति

dhīro na dveṣṭi saṃsāramātmānaṃ na didṛkṣati harṣāmarṣavinirmukto na mṛto na ca jīvati

The wise one does not hate the round of becoming. He does not wish even to see the Self. Freed from gladness and impatience, he is neither dead nor alive.

निःस्नेहः पुत्रदारादौ निष्कामो विषयेषु च। निश्चिन्तः स्वशरीरेऽपि निराशः शोभते बुधः

niḥsnehaḥ putradārādau niṣkāmo viṣayeṣu ca niścintaḥ svaśarīre'pi nirāśaḥ śobhate budhaḥ

Without attachment to sons and wife, without desire toward sense-objects, without a single thought for his own body, free of hope, the wise one shines.

तुष्टिः सर्वत्र धीरस्य यथापतितवर्तिनः। स्वच्छन्दं चरतो देशान् यत्रस्तमितशायिनः

tuṣṭiḥ sarvatra dhīrasya yathāpatitavartinaḥ svacchandaṃ carato deśān yatrastamitaśāyinaḥ

Contentment is everywhere with the wise, who lives by what falls his way, who roams freely from country to country, who sleeps wherever the sun sets.

पततूदेतु वा देहो नास्य चिन्ता महात्मनः। स्वभावभूमिविश्रान्तिविस्मृताशेषसंसृतेः

patatūdetu vā deho nāsya cintā mahātmanaḥ svabhāvabhūmiviśrāntivismṛtāśeṣasaṃsṛteḥ

Let the body fall or rise. The great being has no worry about it, resting in the ground of his own nature, the whole round of becoming forgotten.

अकिंचनः कामचारो निर्द्वन्द्वश्छिन्नसंशयः। असक्तः सर्वभावेषु केवलो रमते बुधः

akiṃcanaḥ kāmacāro nirdvandvaśchinnasaṃśayaḥ asaktaḥ sarvabhāveṣu kevalo ramate budhaḥ

Owning nothing, going as he pleases, free of pairs, his doubts cut. Unattached to any state, alone, the wise one rejoices.

निर्ममः शोभते धीरः समलोष्टाश्मकांचनः। सुभिन्नहृदयग्रन्थिर्विनिर्धूतरजस्तमः

nirmamaḥ śobhate dhīraḥ samaloṣṭāśmakāṃcanaḥ subhinnahṛdayagranthirvinirdhūtarajastamaḥ

Without mine, the wise one shines, treating a clod, a stone, and gold as the same. The knot of the heart is fully cut, dust and darkness shaken off.

सर्वत्रानवधानस्य न किंचिद् वासना हृदि। मुक्तात्मनो वितृप्तस्य तुलना केन जायते

sarvatrānavadhānasya na kiṃcid vāsanā hṛdi muktātmano vitṛptasya tulanā kena jāyate

He pays no attention to anything in particular. In his heart there is no craving. With what shall the freed-soul, perfectly content, be compared?

जानन्नपि न जानाति पश्यन्नपि न पश्यति। ब्रुवन्न् अपि न च ब्रूते कोऽन्यो निर्वासनादृते

jānannapi na jānāti paśyannapi na paśyati bruvann api na ca brūte ko'nyo nirvāsanādṛte

Knowing, he does not know. Seeing, he does not see. Speaking, he does not speak. Who is like this, other than the one without craving?

भिक्षुर्वा भूपतिर्वापि यो निष्कामः स शोभते। भावेषु गलिता यस्य शोभनाशोभना मतिः

bhikṣurvā bhūpatirvāpi yo niṣkāmaḥ sa śobhate bhāveṣu galitā yasya śobhanāśobhanā matiḥ

Whether a beggar or a king, the one who is desireless shines. The thinking of pleasant and unpleasant has dissolved in him at the level of states.

क्व स्वाच्छन्द्यं क्व संकोचः क्व वा तत्त्वविनिश्चयः। निर्व्याजार्जवभूतस्य चरितार्थस्य योगिनः

kva svācchandyaṃ kva saṃkocaḥ kva vā tattvaviniścayaḥ nirvyājārjavabhūtasya caritārthasya yoginaḥ

Where is his free-running, where is his shrinking back, where is his ascertainment of truth? For the yogī of plain straightness, whose purpose is fulfilled, where are these?

आत्मविश्रान्तितृप्तेन निराशेन गतार्तिना। अन्तर्यदनुभूयेत तत् कथं कस्य कथ्यते

ātmaviśrāntitṛptena nirāśena gatārtinā antaryadanubhūyeta tat kathaṃ kasya kathyate

What is inwardly experienced by the one who is content in the rest of the Self, free of hope, free of pain, how is it to be told, and to whom?

सुप्तोऽपि न सुषुप्तौ च स्वप्नेऽपि शयितो न च। जागरेऽपि न जागर्ति धीरस्तृप्तः पदे पदे

supto'pi na suṣuptau ca svapne'pi śayito na ca jāgare'pi na jāgarti dhīrastṛptaḥ pade pade

Asleep, he is not in deep sleep. Even in dream he is not lying down. Even in waking he is not awakened. The wise one is content at every step.

ज्ञः सचिन्तोऽपि निश्चिन्तः सेन्द्रियोऽपि निरिन्द्रियः। सुबुद्धिरपि निर्बुद्धिः साहंकारोऽनहङ्कृतिः

jñaḥ sacinto'pi niścintaḥ sendriyo'pi nirindriyaḥ subuddhirapi nirbuddhiḥ sāhaṃkāro'nahaṅkṛtiḥ

Knower with thought, yet thoughtless. Endowed with senses, yet without senses. Of fine intellect, yet without intellect. Having I-sense, yet without I-sense.

न सुखी न च वा दुःखी न विरक्तो न संगवान्। न मुमुक्षुर्न वा मुक्ता न किंचिन्न्न च किंचन

na sukhī na ca vā duḥkhī na virakto na saṃgavān na mumukṣurna vā muktā na kiṃcinnna ca kiṃcana

Not happy, not sad. Not detached, not attached. Not a seeker, not freed. Not anything, not nothing.

विक्षेपेऽपि न विक्षिप्तः समाधौ न समाधिमान्। जाड्येऽपि न जडो धन्यः पाण्डित्येऽपि न पण्डितः

vikṣepe'pi na vikṣiptaḥ samādhau na samādhimān jāḍye'pi na jaḍo dhanyaḥ pāṇḍitye'pi na paṇḍitaḥ

In distraction, not distracted. In samādhi, not absorbed. In dullness, not dull. In learning, not a scholar. Blessed.

मुक्तो यथास्थितिस्वस्थः कृतकर्तव्यनिर्वृतः। समः सर्वत्र वैतृष्ण्यान्न स्मरत्यकृतं कृतम्

mukto yathāsthitisvasthaḥ kṛtakartavyanirvṛtaḥ samaḥ sarvatra vaitṛṣṇyānna smaratyakṛtaṃ kṛtam

Freed, well-placed in what is, his duty done, content, the same in every place. Out of thirstlessness, he does not remember what he has not done as if he had done it.

न प्रीयते वन्द्यमानो निन्द्यमानो न कुप्यति। नैवोद्विजति मरणे जीवने नाभिनन्दति

na prīyate vandyamāno nindyamāno na kupyati naivodvijati maraṇe jīvane nābhinandati

Praised, he is not pleased. Blamed, he is not angry. He does not shrink from death. He does not rejoice in life.

न धावति जनाकीर्णं नारण्यं उपशान्तधीः। यथातथा यत्रतत्र सम एवावतिष्ठते

na dhāvati janākīrṇaṃ nāraṇyaṃ upaśāntadhīḥ yathātathā yatratatra sama evāvatiṣṭhate

He does not run to a crowded place. He does not run to a forest. The mind utterly at peace, however, wherever, he stays the same.