Chapter-18, Verse 93

Ashtavakra Gita Verse 18.93

आत्मविश्रान्तितृप्तेन निराशेन गतार्तिना।

अन्तर्यदनुभूयते तत्कथं कस्य कथ्यते॥९३॥

How can anyone describe, the inner experience of the One who is desireless, who transcends all his sorrows and who is contented with his repose in the Self?

In this verse, the Ashtavakra Gita emphasizes the ineffability of the experience of one who has attained inner tranquility, contentment, and freedom from desires and suffering. It questions how such an experience can be accurately conveyed or explained by anyone. The verse highlights the limitations of language and the inadequacy of words to describe the profound state of Consciousness that is attained by a Self-Realized individual.

The verse invites contemplation on the nature of transcendence and the inherent limitations of communication. It suggests that the experience of inner peace and contentment is deeply personal and subjective, transcending the boundaries of language and description. It implies that the true understanding of such a state can only be attained through direct experience and personal Realization.

Comparing the verse from the Ashtavakra Gita with three similar verses from Vedic texts:

Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.4.23:

यदा सर्वे प्रमुच्यन्ते कामा येऽस्मिन्सर्वे प्रविलीयन्ते। आत्मन्येवात्मना तुष्टः स्थितप्रज्ञस्तदोच्यते॥

"When all desires that dwell in the heart are renounced, the mortal becomes immortal, and here in this very life, attains Brahman."

Yoga Vasistha 1.1.21:

त्यक्त्वा कर्मफलासङ्गं नित्यतृप्तो निराश्रयः।

आत्मा विश्रान्तिरन्तर्यामि तत्त्वं किं कथयिष्यति॥

"Having renounced attachment to the fruits of actions, being eternally content and without dependence, how can the self-contented One, who abides within, explain the Truth?"

Rig Veda 10.129.7:

न तत्र सूर्यो भाति न चन्द्रतारकं।

नेमा विद्युतो भान्ति कुतोऽयमग्निः॥

"There, the sun does not shine, nor do the moon and the stars. Nor do these lightning flashes shine. How can this fire?"

These verses from different Vedic texts share a common theme of expressing the limitations of language and human understanding in describing the Ultimate Truth or the State of Self-Realization. They emphasize that the experience of liberation, contentment, and transcendence is beyond the realm of ordinary perception and cannot be adequately conveyed through words alone. They invite individuals to seek direct experience and realization rather than relying solely on external explanations or descriptions.