Ashtavakra Gita 18.8Chapter 18, Verse 8
Ashtavakra Gita 18.8 is a verse from chapter 18 (Peace in a hundred verses). The sage Ashtavakra speaks it to King Janaka. In plain English it says: "Certain that the Self is Brahman and that being and not-being are imagined, what does the one without desire need to know, say or do?"
आत्मा ब्रह्मेति निश्चित्य भावाभावौ च कल्पितौ ।निष्कामः किं विजानाति किं ब्रूते च करोति किम् ॥
ātmā brahmeti niścitya bhāvābhāvau ca kalpitau |niṣkāmaḥ kiṃ vijānāti kiṃ brūte ca karoti kim ||
Certain that the Self is Brahman and that being and not-being are imagined, what does the one without desire need to know, say or do?
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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