Ashtavakra Gita 18.40Chapter 18, Verse 40
Ashtavakra Gita 18.40 is a verse from chapter 18 (Peace in a hundred verses). The sage Ashtavakra speaks it to King Janaka. In plain English it says: "How can one who leans on what is seen see the Self? The steady do not see this and that. They see the Self that does not change."
क्वात्मनो दर्शनं तस्य यद् दृष्टमवलम्बते ।धीरास्तं तं न पश्यन्ति पश्यन्त्यात्मानमव्ययम् ॥
kvātmano darśanaṃ tasya yad dṛṣṭamavalambate |dhīrāstaṃ taṃ na paśyanti paśyantyātmānamavyayam ||
How can one who leans on what is seen see the Self? The steady do not see this and that. They see the Self that does not change.
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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