Ashtavakra Gita Verse 3.7
उद्भूतं ज्ञानदुर्मित्रमवधार्यातिदुर्बलः। आश्चर्यं काममाकाङ्क्षेत् कालमन्तमनुश्रितः॥७॥
7. Strange it is that knowing sensuality to be an enemy of Knowledge, even a man who has grown extremely weak and has reached his last days should yet desire for sensual-gratification!
Evidently Janaka was not a young man when he approached Aṣṭāvakra. All hungers of the flesh produce storms of restlessness and agitations in the mind. A restless mind is never available for the pursuits of the spiritual life.
Every spiritual student knows that sensuality is an enemy to Knowledge. If the student is young, at least his youthfulness itself can plead for him an excuse. But Janaka has grown extremely feeble and has approached his last days; yet, his life apparently shows that he is still anxious for his gratifications as he is continuing his life, as a king, amidst lavish sensuous objects of pleasure. Is this Self-Realisation? Or does it betray an utter spiritual 'ignorance' and base worldly delusions?
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