Ashtavakra Gita 18.24Chapter 18, Verse 24
Ashtavakra Gita 18.24 is a verse from chapter 18 (Peace in a hundred verses). The sage Ashtavakra speaks it to King Janaka. In plain English it says: "His mind is empty by nature and he acts as things come. Honour and dishonour do not reach the steady one the way they reach other people."
प्रकृत्या शून्यचित्तस्य कुर्वतोऽस्य यदृच्छया ।प्राकृतस्येव धीरस्य न मानो नावमानता ॥
prakṛtyā śūnyacittasya kurvato'sya yadṛcchayā |prākṛtasyeva dhīrasya na māno nāvamānatā ||
His mind is empty by nature and he acts as things come. Honour and dishonour do not reach the steady one the way they reach other people.
Ashtavakra, to King Janaka
Word meanings and a note for this verse are still being written. Read it in context on the chapter 18 page, or start with the verses in where to begin.
Chapter 18, Peace in a hundred verses: The longest chapter, a third of the text, contrasting the confused who strive with the steady who are already at rest.
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