Chapter-2, Verse 4

Ashtavakra Gita Verse 2.4

यथा न तोयतो भिन्नास्तरङ्गाः फेनबुद्बुदाः। आत्मनो न तथा भिन्नं विश्वमात्मविनिर्गतम्॥४॥

4. As waves, foam and bubbles are not different from the waters, so the universe, streaming forth from the Self, is not different from the Self. 

In this stupendous experience of the infinite Consciousness where does the world of matter and energy stand? Janaka explains here that they have all become one with the infinite Consciousness. But how? Is this rational to say so? How are we to understand this declaration? Janaka employs an analogy, to help us intellectually to evaluate the spiritual experience, which is always trans-intellect. The material cause is that from which the effects arise and the effects so risen can never be anything different from the cause. The waves, foam, bubbles and so on, risen from the waters, can never be anything other than water itself. An effect is nothing other than its own cause in another form. The Universe that has stemmed out from the Self, is also nothing different from It. This includes both, the Purusha (Soul or Energy) and Prakriti (manifested Nature).

At the moment of wisdom, when the Self is Realized, on gaining the vision of the Self, the disturbing plurality of the universe ceases to be. In the understanding that the ocean is an immeasurable mass of water, the crowd of waves, foams and bubbles no longer disturb and distract, although they may exist and play about on the surface of the ocean. The universe is nothing but the Self, and is never in any way different from It.