Ashtavakra Gita 18.57Chapter 18, Verse 57
Ashtavakra Gita 18.57 is a verse from chapter 18 (Peace in a hundred verses). The sage Ashtavakra speaks it to King Janaka. In plain English it says: "Having duties is the world itself. The wise do not see it. They are empty of shape, without form, unchanging, untouched by pain."
कर्तव्यतैव संसारो न तां पश्यन्ति सूरयः ।शून्याकारा निराकारा निर्विकारा निरामयाः ॥
kartavyataiva saṃsāro na tāṃ paśyanti sūrayaḥ |śūnyākārā nirākārā nirvikārā nirāmayāḥ ||
Having duties is the world itself. The wise do not see it. They are empty of shape, without form, unchanging, untouched by pain.
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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