Chapter-17, Verse 3

Ashtavakra Gita Verse 17.3:

न जातु विषयाः केऽपि स्वारामं हर्षयन्त्यमी ।

सल्लकीपल्लवप्रीतमिवेभं निम्बपल्लवाः ॥ ३ ॥

Never do objects of sense please anyone who has found satisfaction within. Like nimba leaves do not please the elephant that has a taste for sallaki leaves. || 3 ||

The verse compares the person who has attained inner peace and contentment with the elephant that prefers the sallaki leaves over the nimba leaves. The sallaki leaves are sweet and fragrant, while the nimba leaves are bitter and pungent. The elephant, having developed a liking for the sallaki leaves, does not care for the nimba leaves, even if they are abundant and available.

Similarly, the person who has Realized the Self and experienced the Bliss of the Supreme Reality does not find any attraction or joy in the objects of sense, which are transient and illusory. The person has transcended the duality of pleasure and pain, and is satisfied with the inner Self alone, which is eternal and true.

The verse implies that the objects of sense are not inherently pleasing or displeasing, but depend on the state of mind and the level of Awareness of the individual. The person who is attached to the senses and identifies with the body and mind is easily swayed by the fluctuations of the external world, and seeks happiness in them. The person who is detached from the senses and identifies with the Self and Spirit is unaffected by the changes of the external world, and finds happiness within.

Some similar verses from Vedic texts are:

- Isa Upanishad Verse 7

यस्मिन् सर्वाणि भूतानि आत्मैवाभूद् विजानतः । तत्र को मोहः कः शोक एकत्वमनुपश्यतः ॥

In whom all beings have become One with his own Self. What delusion or sorrow can there be for him who sees Unity?

- Katha Upanishad Verse 1.2.25

यस्य ब्रह्म च क्षत्रं च उभे भवत ओदनः ।

मृत्युर् यस्योपसेचनं क इत्था वेद यत्र सः ॥

For whom brahmins and kshatriyas are both his food, and death is his sauce, who knows where He is?

- Maitri Upanishad Verse 6.34

सर्वं हि सर्वमाभासमात्मा सर्वमिदं विदुः ।

सर्वस्य सर्वमात्मा हि सर्वं सर्वेण पश्यति ॥

All this is indeed all this, the Self is all this, they know, The Self is all of all, all this He sees with all.