Chapter-18, Verse 39

Ashtavakra Gita Verse 18.39

न शान्तिं लभते मूढो यतः शमितुमिच्छति ।

धीरस्तत्त्वं विनिश्चित्य सर्वदा शान्तमानसः ॥ ३९ ॥

Since the unwise desires to get peace (through control of his mind), he does not gain it. The wise one knowing for certain the Truth, is ever tranquil in mind.

The stupid or ignorant person is one who is attached to the worldly objects and desires, and who does not know his True Nature as the Self. He is constantly restless and agitated, seeking peace and happiness from external sources. He thinks that by controlling or acquiring the objects of his desire, he will attain peace. But this is a futile and endless pursuit, as the objects are impermanent and unsatisfying, and the desire itself is a source of bondage and suffering.

The wise or enlightened person is one who has Realized his True Nature as the Self, which is the source of peace and happiness within. He is not affected by the dualities of pleasure and pain, gain and loss, praise and blame, etc. He is detached from the worldly objects and desires, and does not depend on them for his peace and happiness. He is content and serene, knowing that he is the Witness of all phenomena, and that nothing can disturb his essential Nature.

The difference between the stupid and the wise person is in their discrimination or discernment of the Truth. The stupid person does not discriminate between the Real and the unreal, the Self and the not-Self, the permanent and the impermanent. He confuses the body, mind, and senses with the Self, and the world with the Reality. He is deluded by his ignorance and ego, and suffers from the consequences of his actions. The wise person discriminates between the Real and the unreal, the Self and the not-Self, the permanent and the impermanent. He knows that the Self is the only Reality, and that the world is a projection of his own mind. He is free from ignorance and ego, and enjoys the bliss of his own Self.

Similar verses from other Vedic texts are:

- Bhagavad Gita 18.39

यदग्रे चानुबन्धे च सुखं मोहनमात्मन: ।

निद्रालस्यप्रमादोत्थं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ॥ ३९ ॥

And that happiness which is blind to Self-Realization, which is delusion from beginning to end and which arises from sleep, laziness and illusion is said to be of the nature of ignorance. 

This verse is from the Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 18, Verse 39. It describes the happiness that is derived from the mode of ignorance (tamas), which is characterized by darkness, inertia, and confusion. Such happiness is not based on the Knowledge of the Self, but on the ignorance of the Self. It is not lasting or satisfying, but temporary and deceptive. It is caused by the dullness of the mind, the laziness of the body, and the illusion of the senses. It is not conducive to liberation, but to bondage and suffering.

- Bhagavad Gita 5.7

योगयुक्तो विशुद्धात्मा विजितात्मा जितेन्द्रिय: । सर्वभूतात्मभूतात्मा कुर्वन्नपि न लिप्यते ॥ ७ ॥

One who is in union with Yoga, whose mind is Pure, who has conquered the Self, who has subdued the senses, who Realizes his Self as the Self in all beings, though acting, he is not tainted.

This verse is from the Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 5, Verse 7. It describes the State of a yogi, who is in harmony with the Supreme Self, who has purified his mind from all impurities, who has overcome his ego and attachments, who has controlled his senses and desires, who sees his own Self in all beings and all beings in his own Self, who performs his duties without any selfish motive or expectation, who is not affected by the results of his actions, whether good or bad.