Chapter-18, Verse 53

Ashtavakra Gita Verse 18.53

विलसन्ति महाभोगैर्विशन्ति गिरिगह्वरान् ।

निरस्तकल्पना धीरा अबद्धा मुक्तबुद्धयः ॥ ५३ ॥

The wise who are rid of imagination, unbound and with unfettered awareness may enjoy themselves in the midst of many goods, or alternatively go off to mountain caves. 

The meaning of this verse is that one who has eliminated the projections and illusions of the mind, and has attained a state of freedom and clarity, is not bound by any worldly pleasures or pains. Such a person can either enjoy the abundance of life, or withdraw to solitude and meditation, without being affected by either. Such a person has Realized the True Nature of the Self, which is beyond all duality and diversity.

This verse conveys the message of liberation from the bondage of ignorance and desire, and the attainment of the Supreme Knowledge of the Self. It emphasizes the importance of renouncing the ego and the sense of ownership, and becoming peaceful and detached from the world. It also shows the flexibility and spontaneity of the liberated person, who can adapt to any situation and remain content.

Similar Vedic texts:

Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.4.6:

यदा ह्येवैष एतस्मिन्नुदरमन्तरं कुरुते आत्मानमेवावरुणुते तदस्य भवति वेदोऽन्तरं यद्वेदोऽन्तरं तदस्य भवति य एवं वेद ॥ ६ ॥

When he makes room in this (heart) for that (Self), he should hide the Self in it. The breath is indeed the Veda; the Veda is indeed the breath. For this reason, when there is room in the breath, there is room in the Veda. He who knows this has the Veda in his breath. 

This verse teaches that one should meditate on the Self in the Heart, and identify with it as the source of life and knowledge. The breath is the symbol of the Veda, which is the expression of the Self. By controlling the breath, one can control the mind and attain the self. The Self is the essence of all Vedas, and the one who knows this has the supreme wisdom.

Bhagavad Gita 5.20:

न प्रहृष्येत्प्रियं प्राप्य नोद्विजेत्प्राप्य चाप्रियम् ।

स्थिरबुद्धिरसम्मूढो ब्रह्मविद्ब्रह्मणि स्थितः ॥ २० ॥

He who neither rejoices on obtaining what is pleasant nor grieves on obtaining what is unpleasant, who is steadfast in Knowledge, who is not deluded, and who knows Brahman, abides in Brahman.

This verse describes the state of a person who has Realized Brahman, the Supreme Reality. Such a person is free from the dualities of pleasure and pain, and remains calm and composed in all situations. Such a person has a firm and clear understanding of the Truth, and is not deluded by the appearances of the world. Such a person is established in Brahman, and experiences the bliss of the Self.

Yoga Sutra 1.2:

योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः ॥ २ ॥

Yoga is the restraint of the modifications of the mind.

This verse defines the goal and the means of yoga, which is to attain the state of Pure Awareness by controlling the fluctuations of the mind. The mind is constantly changing and creating various thoughts, emotions, and impressions, which obscure the True Nature of the Self. By practicing yoga, one can calm the mind and stop its modifications, and thus Realize the Self as the Witness of all phenomena..