Ashtavakra Gita Verse 18.75
निरोधादीनि कर्माणि जहाति जडधीर्यदि।
मनोरथान् प्रलापांश्च कर्तुमाप्नोत्यतत्क्षणात्॥१८- ७५॥
The moment a man of dull intellect gives up the practices of mental control, he from that very moment begins to entertain desires and fancies.
The verse criticizes the practice of nirodha, which means the cessation or suppression of the mind, as a means of attaining enlightenment. The verse suggests that such a practice is futile and counterproductive, as it only leads to more mental agitation and confusion. The verse implies that the true way of Realization is not to stop the mind, but to transcend it, by Realizing one's true identity as the Pure, Witness Consciousness, which is unaffected by the modifications of the mind.
The verse also warns against the dangers of manoratha, which means the fantasies or desires of the mind, and pralapa, which means the idle or nonsensical talk of the mind. The verse implies that these are the symptoms of a dull or ignorant mind, which is attached to the objects of the senses and the ego. The verse suggests that such a mind is incapable of perceiving the Truth, which is beyond the realm of the senses and the ego. The verse implies that the wise person is one who has detached himself from the mind and its activities, and has established himself in the state of samadhi, which is the state of complete absorption in the Self.
The verse also contrasts the two types of intelligence, which are jada and chit. Jada means inert or lifeless, and refers to the material or phenomenal aspect of reality, which is subject to change and decay. Chit means conscious or alive, and refers to the spiritual or noumenal aspect of reality, which is eternal and immutable. The verse implies that the person who follows the path of nirodha, manoratha, and pralapa is of jada intelligence, which is low and limited. The verse implies that the person who follows the path of self-knowledge, detachment, and samadhi is of chit intelligence, which is high and unlimited.
Similar verses from other Vedic texts are:
- Bhagavad Gita Chapter-6
यदा विनियतं चित्तमात्मन्येवावतिष्ठते ।
निःस्पृहः सर्वकामेभ्यो युक्त इत्युच्यते तदा ॥ ६.१८ ॥
When the mind is restrained and fixed on the self alone; free from longing for all objects of desire; then one is said to be united.
The verse describes the state of a Yogi, who has mastered the mind and has attained the state of samadhi. The verse emphasizes the importance of vairagya, which means dispassion or detachment, as a prerequisite for yoga. The verse also indicates that the goal of yoga is not to stop the mind, but to fix it on the Self, which is the source of all Bliss and Peace.
- Brihadaranyaka Upanishad Ch-2
यदा सर्वे प्रमुच्यन्ते कामा येऽस्य हृदि श्रिताः ।
अथ मर्त्योऽमृतो भवत्यत्र ब्रह्म समश्नुते ॥ २.१.१५ ॥
When all the desires that dwell in the heart are cast away; then the mortal becomes immortal, and attains Brahman here.
The verse explains the way of Realization, which is to renounce all the desires that bind the soul to the cycle of birth and death. The verse asserts that the Self is identical with Brahman, and that by Realizing this identity, one becomes free from mortality and attains immortality.
- Katha Upanishad Ch-6
यदा पञ्चावतिष्ठन्ते ज्ञानानि मनसा सह ।
बुद्धिश्च न विचेष्टते तामाहुः परमां गतिम् ॥ ६.१०.२ ॥
When the five senses and the mind are still; and the intellect does not stir. That, they say, is the Highest State.
The verse describes the state of samadhi, which is the culmination of the practice of yoga. The verse implies that the senses, the mind, and the intellect are the sources of distraction and delusion, and that by transcending them, one attains the Highest State of Bliss and Knowledge.
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