Ashtavakra Gita 18.5Chapter 18, Verse 5
Ashtavakra Gita 18.5 is a verse from chapter 18 (Peace in a hundred verses). The sage Ashtavakra speaks it to King Janaka. In plain English it says: "The place of the Self is near, and narrowing down does not gain it, for it is already yours: without thought, without effort, without change, without stain."
न दूरं न च सङ्कोचाल्लब्धमेवात्मनः पदम् ।निर्विकल्पं निरायासं निर्विकारं निरञ्जनम् ॥
na dūraṃ na ca saṅkocāllabdhamevātmanaḥ padam |nirvikalpaṃ nirāyāsaṃ nirvikāraṃ nirañjanam ||
The place of the Self is near, and narrowing down does not gain it, for it is already yours: without thought, without effort, without change, without stain.
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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