Chapter-20, Verse 09

Ashtavakra Gita Verse 20.9

क्व विक्षेपः क्व चैकाग्र्यं क्व निर्बोधः क्व मूढता।
क्व हर्षः क्व विषादो वा सर्वदा निष्क्रियस्य मे॥९॥

Where is distraction or one-pointedness of mind, where is lack of understanding or stupidity, where is joy and where is sorrow for me who am forever action-less?

This verse builds upon the previous one by emphasizing the State of the Self beyond the limitations of the mind. Here's a breakdown:

1. Negate Mental States: The verse uses a series of questions again, this time negating mental states: "Where is distraction (विक्षेपः, vikṣepaḥ)" or "one-pointedness (एकाग्र्यं, aikāgryam)" of mind, "lack of understanding (निर्बोधः, nirbodhaḥ)" or "stupidity (मूढता, mūḍhatā)", "joy (हर्षः, harṣaḥ)" or "sorrow (विषादः, viṣādaḥ)".


2. Actionless Self: "सर्वदा निष्क्रियस्य मे" (sarvadā niṣkriyasya me) translates to "for me who am forever actionless." This reiterates the non-dual and unchanging nature of the Self. The Self is not the doer of actions and is unaffected by the mental and emotional fluctuations associated with them.


3. Beyond Duality: By negating these opposing mental states, the verse implies the Self transcends the duality of the mind. The Self is neither distracted nor focused, neither ignorant nor wise, neither happy nor sad. It exists in a state of pure awareness beyond these limitations.


Comparative Verses:

1. Mandukya Upanishad (Verse 2):

जाग्रद्वस्थाने द्वैतं वा सद्भावेऽद्वैतं वा।
स्वप्नस्थाने च द्वैतं वा सद्भावेऽद्वैतं वा।
सुषुप्तिस्थाने एकमेवाद्वितीयम्॥ २॥

In the waking state, there is duality; in the state of deep sleep, there is non-duality. In the dream state, there is duality; in the state of deep sleep, there is non-duality. In the state of deep sleep, there is only the One without a second.

This verse from the Mandukya Upanishad describes the non-dual Reality of the Self beyond the waking, dreaming, and deep sleep states. Similar to the Ashtavakra Gita verse, it emphasizes the Self's transcendence of duality.

2. Bhagavad Gita 

स्थितप्रज्ञस्य दुःखेन सुखेन च समानः।
समः स सर्वेषु भूतेषु मध्यास्थो दृढनिश्चयः॥ ५० ॥

The man of steady wisdom is the same in happiness and sorrow, he is the same in praise and blame, the same in heat and cold, honor and dishonor. He is the same to all creatures, firm and unwavering in his mind.

This verse from the Bhagavad Gita describes the characteristics of a sthita-prajna (one of steady wisdom). This state aligns with the Ashtavakra Gita verse as it signifies a mind that is beyond the dualities of pleasure and pain.

3. Yoga Vashishtha (Chapter 6, Verse 18):

चित्तं विकाररहितं शुद्धं नित्यं निर्विकारम्।
एकमेव मन्यते यः स योगी सर्वदर्शी॥ १८॥

The Yogi who sees all is the one who considers the mind to be free from modifications, pure, eternal, and unchanging.

This verse from the Yoga Vashishtha describes the Yogi who perceives the mind's true nature beyond its modifications. It aligns with the Ashtavakra Gita verse by emphasizing the Self's state beyond the limitations of a fluctuating mind.

These comparisons showcase the recurring theme of the Self's non-dual and unchanging nature beyond the limitations of the mind and its associated experiences, echoing the core message of the Ashtavakra Gita verse.