Chapter-9, Verse 3

Ashtavakra Gita Verse 9.3 

अनित्यं सर्वमेवेदं तापत्रयदूषितं।

असारं निन्दितं हेयमिति निश्चित्य शाम्यति॥ ९.३॥

All this is impermanent and is tainted by the three kinds of suffering. It is worthless, contemptible and to be rejected. Having decided this, one attains peace. (9.3)

- The verse describes the attitude of a wise person who has realized the True Nature of the Self as Pure Consciousness, and is free from attachment and aversion to the world of phenomena.

- The verse asserts that everything in this world is anityam, or impermanent, meaning that it is subject to change, decay and destruction. Nothing in this world can provide lasting happiness or security, as it is bound to perish sooner or later.

- The verse also states that everything in this world is tāpatritayadūṣitam, or tainted by the three kinds of suffering. These are: ādhyātmika, or suffering caused by one's own body and mind; ādhibhautika, or suffering caused by other living beings; and ādhidaivika, or suffering caused by natural forces and destiny. Thus, the world is full of pain and misery, and there is no escape from it by any means.

- The verse further declares that everything in this world is asāram, or worthless, meaning that it has no intrinsic value or essence. It is only a projection of one's ignorance and delusion, and has no reality of its own. It is like a dream or an illusion, which appears to be real, but vanishes upon waking up or knowing the truth.

- The verse also says that everything in this world is ninditam, or contemptible, meaning that it is not worthy of respect or admiration. It is only a source of bondage and suffering, and leads one away from the supreme goal of liberation. It is like a trap or a snare, which entices one with false promises, but ultimately causes harm and sorrow.

- The verse finally advises that everything in this world is heyam, or to be rejected, meaning that one should renounce all attachment and identification with it. One should not seek pleasure or avoid pain in it, but remain indifferent and detached from it. One should not cling to it or crave for it, but let go of it and be free from it.

- The verse concludes that having decided this, one attains śāmyati, or Peace, meaning that one becomes calm and serene, and enjoys the Bliss of the Self. One transcends the duality of pleasure and pain, and rests in the state of equanimity and harmony. One realizes the self as the supreme reality, and attains liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Some similar verses from other Vedic texts are:

- Bhagavad Gita 2.14:

मात्रास्पर्शास्तु कौन्तेय शीतोष्णसुखदुःखदाः।

आगमापायिनोऽनित्यास्तांस्तितिक्षस्व भारत॥ २.१४॥

- Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 2.4.14:

असारं ह वा अयं लोको नास्ति किंचन प्रतिष्ठा विद्यायैव तु अस्मिन् प्रतिष्ठितं विद्यायामेव प्रतिष्ठितः॥ २.४.१४॥

- Yoga Sutra 2.15:

परिणामतापसंस्कारदुःखैर्गुणवृत्तिविरोधाच्च दुःखमेव सर्वं विवेकिनः॥ २.१५॥

To the discerning, everything is indeed suffering, due to the pain of change, the pain of anxiety, and the pain of impressions, as well as due to the conflict of the movements of the gunas, or the modes of material nature. (2.15)