Ashtavakra Gita Verse 8.3
तदा बन्धो यदा चित्तं सक्तं कास्वपि दृष्टिषु। तदा मोक्षो यदा चित्तमसक्तं सर्वदृष्टिषु॥३॥
3. It is bondage, when the mind is attached to any of the sensory perceptions. It is freedom when the mind is detached from all perceptions.
In the opening stanza, through its songful words, the Teacher had indicated that the sensuousness in the mind is bondage, and in the last verse it was indicated that detachment from it is freedom. In both these verses, mind's relationship with the world of its own thoughts was indicated.
A mere detachment from the sensuous thoughts in the inner mind by itself can have no valid effect upon the spiritual seekers. Here in the verse Aṣṭāvakra completes his thought by suggesting that a seeker should carefully cultivate a sense of detachment from his outer world of perceptions. The world of objects have a terrific enchantment over the human mind. Even if an individual is capable of ignoring the demands of his inner mind, the outer perceptions can generate devastating sensuous storms in the mind.
To live susceptible to the various perceptions is ignorance and it will bring about bondage. To learn to live in detachment of the perceived world is freedom. Thus, 'We are yet but slaves of our wishes, putting bars to our advancement'.
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