Chapter-19, Verse 01

Ashtavakra Gita Verse 19.1

तत्त्वविज्ञानसन्दंशमादाय हृदयोदरात्।

नानाविधपरामर्शशल्योद्धारः कृतो मया॥१॥

Taking a fragment of the Knowledge of the Truth from the heart's cavity, I have extracted the thorn of various kinds of reflections.

- The first line of the verse indicates that Janaka has attained a glimpse of the Supreme Reality, which is the essence of his own Self. He calls it a fragment of the knowledge of the Truth, because it is not yet a complete and direct Realization, but a partial and indirect one. He says that he has taken this fragment from the heart's cavity, which means that he has accessed the innermost core of his being, where the Pure Consciousness resides.

- The second line of the verse describes the result of this attainment. Janaka says that he has extracted the thorn of various kinds of reflections, which means that he has removed the cause of his suffering and bondage. The thorn here represents the false notions and opinions that he had about himself and the world, which were based on ignorance and attachment. These notions and opinions were like thorns that pierced his mind and caused him pain and confusion. By taking the fragment of the knowledge of the truth, he has realized that these notions and opinions are not his true nature, and that they have no reality of their own. He has thus freed himself from their influence and affliction.

- The verse implies that Janaka has achieved a state of peace and happiness, which is the goal of liberation. He has transcended the duality of the mind and the senses, and has attained the non-dual vision of the self. He has become a Witness of everything, without being attached or affected by anything. He has Realized that he is nothing but Pure Consciousness, which is the source and substratum of all existence. He has become one with the Truth, which is his own Self.

Comparing this verse with three similar verses from other Vedic texts:

- From the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, 4.4.19:

यत्र नान्यत्पश्यति नान्यच्छृणोति नान्यद्विजानाति स भूमा ।

अथ यत्रान्यत्पश्यति नान्यच्छृणोति नान्यद्विजानाति तदल्पम् ॥

Where one sees nothing else, hears nothing else, knows nothing else, that is the infinite. But where one sees something else, hears something else, knows something else, that is the finite.

This verse contrasts the two states of Consciousness: the state of the infinite and the state of the finite. The state of the infinite is the state of the Self, which is Pure Awareness, without any distinction or limitation. In this state, one does not perceive any difference or diversity, but only the unity and identity of one's own Being. This State is the State of liberation, Bliss and Peace. The state of the finite is the state of the mind and the senses, which are conditioned by ignorance and attachment. In this state, one perceives various objects and phenomena, which are separate and distinct from oneself. This state is the state of bondage, sorrow and agitation.

- From the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, 1.3:

तदा द्रष्टुः स्वरूपेऽवस्थानम् ॥

Then the seer abides in its own Nature.

This verse describes the state of samadhi, which is the highest goal of yoga. Samadhi is the state of complete absorption and concentration, in which the mind becomes still and merges with the object of meditation. In this state, the seer, which is the Pure Consciousness, the witness of the mind, abides in its own nature, which is Bliss, Peace and freedom. In this state, the seer realizes its True Identity, which is not affected by the modifications of the mind or the fluctuations of the world.

- From the Bhagavad Gita, 6.28:

युञ्जन्नेवं सदात्मानं योगी नियतमानसः ।

शान्तिं निर्वाणपरमां मत्संस्थामधिगच्छति ॥

Thus, always keeping the mind fixed on the Self, the yogi whose mind is subdued attains the peace of nirvana, which abides in me.

This verse extols the practice of yoga, which is the discipline of controlling the mind and the senses, and focusing them on the Self, which is the Supreme Reality. The yogi who follows this practice with determination and devotion attains the peace of nirvana, which is the state of liberation from the cycle of birth and death. This peace is not different from the nature of the Self, which is the same as the Nature of the Supreme Lord. The yogi who attains this peace becomes one with Him and enjoys his eternal Bliss and Grace.