Plain
    Song
           Astăvakra Samhită
                      Know Yourself

Astăvakra said:

A man of pure intellect realizes the Self
even by instruction casually imparted,
another may seek knowledge all one's life
and still remain bewildered. 15.1

Non-attachment for sense-objects is liberation;
love for sense-objects is bondage.
such is knowledge. Now do as you please. 15.2

This knowledge of the Truth makes
of the eloquent, wise and active man in to
a mute, inert and inactive person.
so is avoided by those who enjoy the world. 15.3

You are not the body nor is the body yours
you are not the doer nor the enjoyer.
you are Consciousness itself,
the eternal Witness and free. go about happily. 15.4

Attachment and abhorrence are attributes
of the mind, the mind is never yours.
you are intelligence itself, free from conflict
and changeless. go about happily. 15.5

Realizing the Self in all, and all in the Self
free from egoism and free from the sense of " mine"
go about happily. 15.6

You are indeed That in which the universe
manifest itself like waves on the ocean.
Ho! you intelligence, be free of the fevers of the mind. 15.7

Have faith, my son, have faith.
never confuse yourself,
You are Knowledge itself, you are the Lord,
you are the Self, and beyond nature. 15.8

The body composed by the elements in nature,
comes, stay and goes.
The Self neither comes or goes,
why then do you mourn it ? 15.9

Let the body last until the end of time
o let it drop today,
where is there any increase or decrease
in you who are Pure Intelligence. ? 15.10

In you who are the infinite ocean
let the waves of the universe rise or fall
according to their own nature.
there is not increase or loss to you. 15.11

My dear, you are Pure Intelligence itself,
this universe is nothing different from you.
therefore how and where can anyone
have the idea of acceptance or rejection. ?
How could you! 15.12

For you who are One, immutable, calm,
stainless, and pure state, how could there be
birth, how action, how even egoism ? 15.13

Whatever you see, it is you alone manifested in it.
How could bracelets, armlets and anklets be
different from the gold? 15.14

Discard such distinctions as " I am He "
and " I am not this "
recognize that Everything is the Self,
and free from desire, without distinctions be happy. 15.15

It is through your ignorance alone that the
universe takes place, In reality You are One,
there is not individual self or
supreme self other than you. 15.16

One who knows for certain that this universe
is but illusion; becomes free of desire,
pure receptivity and at peace,
as if nothing existed. 15.17

Only one thing had existed,
exists and will exist in the ocean of being.
You have no bondage or liberation.
Live happily and fulfilled. 15.18

Ho! pure Intelligence, do not disturb your mind
with affirmations and negations.
Be calm and abide happily in your own Bliss itself. 15.19

Give up every way of contemplation and
hold nothing in your mind.
you are verily the Self, free.
what will you do by thinking ? 15.20




XV   Know Yourself.
Home  ||  Introduction  ||  Contents  ||  I  ||  II  ||  III  ||  IV  ||  V  || 
VI  ||  VII  ||  VIII  ||  IX  ||  X  ||  XI  ||  XII  ||   XIII  ||  XIV  ||  XV  || 
XVI  ||  XVII  ||  XVIII a  ||  XVIII b  ||  XVIII c  ||  XVIII d  ||  XIX  || 
                                                XX  || 
Credits and Links