2026-03-26 04:57:34 by ambuda-bot
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INTRODUCTION
1X
of the ego, he becomes Supreme Bliss, to which there
is no limit.
The teaching of the Ashtavakra Samhita is simple,
direct in its appeal and unhesitating in its delivery.
It goes into the heart and the very contemplation of
it gives even a matter-fed mind a foretaste of the bliss
of freedom. Freedom and bondage are purely the
creations of ideation. "One who considers oneself free
is free indeed and one who considers oneself bound
remains bound" (I.11). Here a simple formula is
prescribed as the means of escape-think yourself to
be free, the eternal unlimited consciousness-bliss and
you will be free and happy. The joy of self-realiza-
tion is depicted in soul-stirring language. The
description is graphic and stimulates contemplation.
The disciple realizes that it is his own self that sustains
and illumines the universe. The whole universe
belongs to him, or rather hangs as a floating append-
age to his being. The unity of the Self with all
that exists is realized. In fact nothing exists but the
Self and the lingering trail of objectivity vanishes on
the disappearance of ignorance. The multiplicity of
selves too is an equally unmitigated appearance.
There is neither a plurality of objects nor of subjects.
There is only one subject or rather no subject.
The self-existent infinite consciousness plays the
rôle of a number of subjects through its false identifi-
cation with the mind-organs, which are the creations
of the resourceful Maya. The Maya is the prius of
the phenomenal world-the principle of unreason, the
fountain-head of irrationality, the Enchantress of
infinite resources. There is no escape from her hyp-
1X
of the ego, he becomes Supreme Bliss, to which there
is no limit.
The teaching of the Ashtavakra Samhita is simple,
direct in its appeal and unhesitating in its delivery.
It goes into the heart and the very contemplation of
it gives even a matter-fed mind a foretaste of the bliss
of freedom. Freedom and bondage are purely the
creations of ideation. "One who considers oneself free
is free indeed and one who considers oneself bound
remains bound" (I.11). Here a simple formula is
prescribed as the means of escape-think yourself to
be free, the eternal unlimited consciousness-bliss and
you will be free and happy. The joy of self-realiza-
tion is depicted in soul-stirring language. The
description is graphic and stimulates contemplation.
The disciple realizes that it is his own self that sustains
and illumines the universe. The whole universe
belongs to him, or rather hangs as a floating append-
age to his being. The unity of the Self with all
that exists is realized. In fact nothing exists but the
Self and the lingering trail of objectivity vanishes on
the disappearance of ignorance. The multiplicity of
selves too is an equally unmitigated appearance.
There is neither a plurality of objects nor of subjects.
There is only one subject or rather no subject.
The self-existent infinite consciousness plays the
rôle of a number of subjects through its false identifi-
cation with the mind-organs, which are the creations
of the resourceful Maya. The Maya is the prius of
the phenomenal world-the principle of unreason, the
fountain-head of irrationality, the Enchantress of
infinite resources. There is no escape from her hyp-