Chapter-18, Verse 97

Ashtavakra Gita Verse 18.97

विक्षेपेऽपि न विक्षिप्तः समाधौ न समाधिमान्। जाड्येऽपि न जडो धन्यः पाण्डित्येऽपि न पण्डितः॥९७॥

"Even in distraction, the Wise One is not distracted; even in absorption, he is not absorbed; even in dullness, he is not dull; even in scholarship, the Wise One is not a scholar."

This is not an exceptional style characteristic of only Aṣṭāvakra. All Masters have to employ ‘the language of contradictions’ or invertendo when they come to explain the inexplicable! This is the only way in which an attempt can be made to ‘describe the indescribable’. This can read as confusions, only to those who are trying to understand it with their intellect. This is not a thing that is to be understood by the intellect. All confusions will end when the seeker transcends his body consciousness. Experience alone can reveal the Truth. The śāstras can only point out the path, the way. The seeker must earn his own direct experience.

This verse highlights the transcendence of the Self beyond various states of mind and roles in society. It emphasizes the idea that true wisdom lies beyond the limitations of external circumstances and mental states. The verse states that even in a state of distraction, one remains undistracted, indicating that one's true essence is not affected or swayed by external factors. Similarly, even in a state of absorption or deep meditative state, one does not become attached or identified with that State. This suggests that one can remain detached and observe the fluctuations of the mind without being affected by them.

Furthermore, the verse mentions that even in dullness or ignorance, one is not dull. This implies that one's inherent nature is not affected by the lack of knowledge or understanding. It suggests that True Wisdom is not dependent on intellectual prowess or scholarly achievements. Lastly, the verse states that even in the realm of scholarship, one is not a scholar. This highlights the notion that True Wisdom goes beyond mere intellectual knowledge and encompasses a deeper understanding of the Self and existence.

Now, let's compare this verse with three similar verses from Vedic texts:

1. Rigveda 1.164.20:

"tam eva viditvāti mṛtyumeti nānyaḥ panthā vidyate'yanāya।"

"Knowing Him alone, one transcends death; there is no other path leading to liberation."

2. Bhagavad Gita 2.20:

"na jāyate mriyate vā kadācin nāyaṁ bhūtvā bhavitā vā na bhūyaḥ।"

"For the soul, there is neither birth nor death at any time. He has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being."

3. Yoga Vashishta 7.72:

"vijñānātmā paramātma prājñātmā'khaṇḍasākṣiṇaḥ।

svapnādi sṛṣṭi nāśāṁścha na jānāti na paśyati॥"

"The self, the Supreme soul, the all-knowing seer, does not know or see the creation and destruction of the dream world and others."

These verses from different Vedic texts share a common theme of transcending the limitations of the mind and the transient nature of existence. They emphasize the idea that true liberation lies in Realizing the eternal nature of the Self and going beyond the dualities of life. They stress that true wisdom cannot be confined to external circumstances, roles, or intellectual achievements. Instead, it lies in understanding the timeless essence that transcends all states of mind and Being.