Chapter-17, Verse 7

Ashtavakra Gita Verse 17.7:

वाञ्छा न विश्वविलये न द्वेषस्तस्य च स्थितौ । यथाजीविकया तस्माद्धन्य आस्ते यथासुखम् ॥ ७ ॥

He has no desire for the dissolution of the world, nor hatred for its existence. Therefore, he lives happily with whatever means of livelihood he gets, as he pleases.

The Realized person has no attachment or aversion to the world, which is a manifestation of Brahman. He does not wish for the world to end, nor does he resent its continuation. He sees everything as Brahman and himself as Brahman. He is free from the bondage of ignorance (avidya), egoism (ahamkara), and karma (action and its consequences).

Living in the Self as the Self, the Man of Wisdom has gained all that is to be gained. He has no desires for anything. He demands nothing. He is above all needs. He is full. The whole universe is to him a disturbance in the Infinite Consciousness which is his own Nature. In That, this universe is a dust particle; where is then his physical body? Whether it exists or not can be of no concern for him. He has pulled down the veil of ‘ignorance’ in him and he has rediscovered his divine nature. He has no identification with his body any more.

The Realized person is content with whatever he receives as his means of sustenance, without craving or complaining. He does not depend on external objects or conditions for his happiness, which is inherent in his own Self. He lives in harmony with the natural order of things (dharma), without disturbing or being disturbed by anyone. He enjoys the Bliss of his own Self, which is independent of any cause or effect.

Some similar verses from Vedic texts are:

- From the Isha Upanishad (Verse 1):

ईशावास्यमिदं सर्वं यत्किञ्च जगत्यां जगत् ।

तेन त्यक्तेन भुञ्जीथा मा गृधः कस्यस्विद्धनम् ॥

All this, whatever moves in this moving world, is enveloped by God. Therefore, renounce and enjoy; do not covet anyone's wealth.

- From the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 5, Verse 20):

न प्रहृष्येत् प्रियं प्राप्य नोद्विजेत् प्राप्य चाप्रियम् । स्थिरबुद्धिरसम्मूढो ब्रह्मविद् ब्रह्मणि स्थितः ॥

He who neither rejoices on obtaining what is pleasant nor grieves on obtaining what is unpleasant, who has a steady intellect, who is not deluded, who knows Brahman and abides in Brahman.

- From the Shvetashvatara Upanishad (Chapter 6, Verse 19):

न कर्मणा न प्रजया धनेन त्यागेनैके अमृतत्वमानशुः । परेण नाकं निहितं गुहायां विभ्राजते यद् यतयो विशन्ति ॥

Not by action, nor by progeny, nor by wealth, but by renunciation alone some attained immortality.

That which shines forth in the highest heaven, hidden in the cave (of the heart), that they enter who are Self-controlled.