Chapter-15, Verse 6

Ashtavakra Gita Verse 15.6

सर्वभूतेषु चात्मानं सर्वभूतानि चात्मनि ।

विज्ञाय निरहंकारो निर्ममस्त्वं सुखी भव ॥ ६ ॥

In all beings, see the Self, and in the Self, see all beings.

Knowing this, be free from egoism and possessiveness, and be happy. || 6 ||

This verse conveys the essence of the non-dualistic (advaita) philosophy of Vedanta, which asserts that there is only one reality, Brahman - the Self, and that everything else is an illusion (maya). The individual Self (atman) is not different from Brahman, but is obscured by ignorance (avidya) and attachment (raga). The verse instructs the seeker to realize the identity of the Self and Brahman by seeing oneself in all beings and all beings in oneself. This means to recognize the same Consciousness that pervades everything and transcends all distinctions.

By seeing oneself in all beings, one develops compassion and empathy for all creatures, and realizes that harming others is harming oneself. By seeing all beings in oneself, one overcomes the sense of separation and isolation that causes suffering and delusion. One realizes that one is not a limited and finite entity, but a manifestation of the infinite and eternal reality. This Realization leads to the dissolution of egoism (ahamkara) and possessiveness (mamatva), which are the root causes of bondage and misery.

When one is free from egoism and possessiveness, one attains happiness (sukha), which is not dependent on external objects or circumstances, but is inherent in one's own nature. Happiness is not something to be acquired or achieved, but something to be discovered and revealed by removing the veils of ignorance and attachment. Happiness is the natural state of the Self, which is blissful (ananda) by Nature. The verse thus exhorts the seeker to know this truth and be happy.

Several Vedic texts convey a similar message. 

- Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.4.5: "He who sees everything as nothing but the Self, and the Self in everything he sees, such a seer withdraws from nothing. For the enlightened, all that exists is nothing but the Self, so how could any suffering or delusion continue for those who know this oneness?" 

- Bhagavad Gita 6.29: "A true yogi observes Me in all beings and also sees every being in Me. Indeed, the Self-Realized person sees Me everywhere."

- Isha Upanishad 6: "He who sees all beings in the Self alone, and the Self in all beings, feels no hatred by virtue of that Realization."