Ashtavakra Gita Verse 19.8
अलं त्रिवर्गकथया योगस्य कथयाऽप्यलम् ।
अलं विज्ञानकथया विश्रान्तस्य ममात्मनि ॥ ८ ॥
For me remaining in myself, there is no need for talk of the three goals of life, of yoga or of knowledge.
- The speaker of this verse is Janaka, the King of Mithila, who has attained the state of Self-Realization through the teachings of Ashtavakra, a sage of Advaita Vedanta philosophy.
- The three goals of life (trivarga) are dharma(righteousness), artha (wealth) and kāma (pleasure), which are considered the pursuits of worldly people who are bound by ignorance and desire.
- Yoga is the discipline of controlling the mind and body to achieve union with the Supreme Self (ātman) or the Absolute Reality (brahman).
- Knowledge (vijñāna) is the direct and intuitive realization of one's True Nature as Pure Consciousness, which is beyond the limitations of the body, mind and senses.
- Janaka declares that he has no need for any of these topics, as he is already resting in his own Self, which is the source of all Bliss and Peace. He is detached from the world and its objects, and has no desire or attachment to anything. He is free from the bondage of ignorance and the cycle of birth and death.
Some similar verses from other Vedic texts that convey the same message of self-realization and liberation are:
- Kaṭha Upaniṣad
न कर्मणा न प्रजया धनेन त्यागेनैके अमृतत्वमानशुः ।
परेण नाकं निहितं गुहायां विभ्राजते यद्यतयो विशन्ति ॥
Not by works, nor by progeny, nor by wealth, but by Renunciation alone some attained immortality. That which is hidden in the Highest heavens, shining in the Secret Cave of the heart, that they enter who are self-controlled and free from desire.
This verse teaches that the True goal of life is to attain immortality, which is not possible by worldly means, but only by renouncing all attachments and Realizing the innermost Self, which is the source of all light and joy.
- Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad
नान्यः पन्था विद्यतेऽयनाय ।
स्वर्गाय लोकाय कर्मणा नोपजीवन्ति ।
यदेतद्विद्यया करोति ।
श्रद्धयोपनिषदा तदेव वीर्यवत्तरं भवति ॥
There is no other way than this for attaining the Supreme Goal. The worlds of heaven are not sustained by works. That which one does with knowledge, faith and the Upaniṣads, that alone becomes more powerful.
This verse distinguishes between the lower knowledge (aparā vidyā) of the Vedas and rituals, and the higher knowledge (parā vidyā) of the Self and brahman. It asserts that the only way to attain the Supreme Goal of Realization is by the Higher Knowledge, which is based on faith and the teachings of the Upaniṣads, and not by the lower knowledge, which leads only to the temporary worlds of heaven.
- Yoga Vāsiṣṭha
निर्विकल्पं मनो यस्य निर्विकारं च चेतनम् ।
अविकारी च विज्ञानं तस्य शान्तिरचला ॥
Whose mind is free from doubt, whose consciousness is free from change, whose knowledge is free from modification, his peace is unshakable.
This verse describes the state of the Realized person, who has attained the Supreme Knowledge of the Self, which is beyond the fluctuations of the mind, the modifications of the Consciousness, and the transformations of the intellect. Such a person enjoys the eternal peace that is not disturbed by anything.
End of Chapter-19
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