𑌅𑌷𑍍𑌟𑌾𑌵𑌕𑍍𑌰 𑌗𑍀𑌤𑌾 𑌷𑍋𑌡𑌶𑍋𑌽𑌧𑍍𑌯𑌾𑌯𑌃

𑌅𑌷𑍍𑌟𑌾𑌵𑌕𑍍𑌰 𑌗𑍀𑌤𑌾 is a 20-chapter dialogue of direct 𑌅𑌦𑍍𑌵𑍈𑌤 that keeps pointing to the same fact: awareness is already free, and bondage is mostly the mind's habit of claiming experiences as "me" and "mine". The verses are brief but sharp; they do not try to decorate life with new beliefs so much as undo the reflex to live from anxiety, craving, and self-image. Read it slowly, like a mirror, and notice where the mind argues - those are often the exact knots the teacher is cutting.

So far, the dialogue has steadily matured 𑌜𑌨𑌕's initial questions into lived clarity. The opening chapters (1-4) establish the witness standpoint (𑌸𑌾𑌕𑍍𑌷𑍀) and show how freedom becomes natural when the mind stops treating sense-objects and roles as refuge. Chapters 5-9 keep dissolving doership and fixation, repeatedly exposing that peace is not manufactured but uncovered when grasping relaxes. Chapters 10-15 sharpen disillusionment with craving and status, and then describe a growing ease where effort, inner argument, and even spiritual ambition begin to fall away.

Chapter 16 gives a particularly strong medicine: "forget everything." Not in the sense of becoming careless or blank, but in the sense of releasing the mind's compulsion to hold positions - "this is right", "this is mine", "I must become someone", "I must reach a future state." The chapter warns about two subtle traps: (1) turning renunciation into aversion (hating life), and (2) turning liberation into ego (being proud of being "spiritual"). It says the mind rests only when its hopes and inner bargains are dropped.

The chapters ahead will keep unfolding the same freedom in different lights. Chapter 17 paints the texture of the liberated life: outwardly ordinary, inwardly unshaken, with no hunger for praise, pleasure, or special states. Chapter 18 then becomes the longest chapter in the work, gathering many angles of the same insight until it becomes unmistakably practical. Finally, Chapters 19-20 are 𑌜𑌨𑌕's closing declarations - the spontaneous language of a mind that has come to rest in its own nature.

Seen as a whole, Chapter 16 insists that peace is not proportional to how much you have studied, achieved, or practiced. Inner wellbeing (𑌸𑍍𑌵𑌾𑌸𑍍𑌥𑍍𑌯) comes from dropping the inner project of becoming. When the mind is no longer trying to grasp or reject life, even the big spiritual opposites - 𑌧𑌰𑍍𑌮 and 𑌅𑌧𑌰𑍍𑌮, 𑌪𑍍𑌰𑌵𑍃𑌤𑍍𑌤𑌿 and 𑌨𑌿𑌵𑍃𑌤𑍍𑌤𑌿, "world" and "liberation" - stop being battlefields. The chapter's refrain is simple: let the mind forget its compulsions, and rest becomes natural.

𑌅𑌷𑍍𑌟𑌾𑌵𑌕𑍍𑌰 𑌉𑌵𑌾𑌚 ॥
𑌆𑌚𑌕𑍍𑌷𑍍𑌵 𑌶𑍃𑌣𑍁 𑌵𑌾 𑌤𑌾𑌤 𑌨𑌾𑌨𑌾𑌶𑌾𑌸𑍍𑌤𑍍𑌰𑌾𑌣𑍍𑌯𑌨𑍇𑌕𑌶𑌃 ।
𑌤𑌥𑌾𑌪𑌿 𑌨 𑌤𑌵 𑌸𑍍𑌵𑌾𑌸𑍍𑌥𑍍𑌯𑌂 𑌸𑌰𑍍𑌵𑌵𑌿𑌸𑍍𑌮𑌰𑌣𑌾𑌦𑍃𑌤𑍇 ॥ 16-1॥

Meaning (𑌪𑌦𑌾𑌰𑍍𑌥):
𑌆𑌚𑌕𑍍𑌷𑍍𑌵 - speak; explain
𑌶𑍃𑌣𑍁 - listen; hear
𑌵𑌾 - or
𑌤𑌾𑌤 - dear one; child (a compassionate address)
𑌨𑌾𑌨𑌾 - many kinds of
𑌶𑌾𑌸𑍍𑌤𑍍𑌰𑌾𑌣𑌿 - scriptures; teachings
𑌅𑌨𑍇𑌕𑌶𑌃 - repeatedly; in many ways
𑌤𑌥𑌾𑌪𑌿 - even so; nevertheless
𑌨 - not
𑌤𑌵 - your
𑌸𑍍𑌵𑌾𑌸𑍍𑌥𑍍𑌯𑌂 - inner health; steadiness; wellbeing
𑌸𑌰𑍍𑌵-𑌵𑌿𑌸𑍍𑌮𑌰𑌣𑌾𑌤𑍍 - from forgetting everything; from dropping all mental holdings
𑌋𑌤𑍇 - except; without

Translation (𑌭𑌾𑌵𑌾𑌰𑍍𑌥):
Ashtavakra said: Speak and listen to countless teachings in many ways, dear one. Even then, you will not find inner wellbeing, except by letting everything be forgotten.

Commentary (𑌅𑌨𑍁𑌸𑌂𑌧𑌾𑌨):
This opening verse is deliberately unsettling for a sincere seeker: it says that more spiritual information will not automatically bring inner health. The word 𑌸𑍍𑌵𑌾𑌸𑍍𑌥𑍍𑌯 literally points to "abiding in one's own place" - being at home in oneself. Ashtavakra is not dismissing study; he is pointing out its limit. The mind can collect scriptures the way it collects news or opinions: as more things to hold and argue with. In that mode, learning increases subtle tension: "I know so much, yet I'm not at peace." The medicine is 𑌸𑌰𑍍𑌵-𑌵𑌿𑌸𑍍𑌮𑌰𑌣 - not amnesia, but dropping the compulsion to keep holding concepts, identities, and positions as the basis of safety.

This is close to the Upanishadic method of 𑌨𑍇𑌤𑌿 𑌨𑍇𑌤𑌿 - "not this, not this" - where every object of identification is gently released until only the knowing itself remains. 𑌆𑌦𑌿 𑌶𑌂𑌕𑌰𑌾𑌚𑌾𑌰𑍍𑌯 often emphasizes that knowledge becomes liberating not when you can repeat doctrines, but when mis-identification is removed and the mind stops clinging. Even language bows out here: 𑌯𑌦𑍍 𑌵𑌾𑌚𑌾 𑌅𑌨𑌭𑍍𑌯𑍁𑌦𑌿𑌤𑌮𑍍 and 𑌯𑌤𑍋 𑌵𑌾𑌚𑍋 𑌨𑌿𑌵𑌰𑍍𑌤𑌂𑌤𑍇 are ways the tradition says, "Do not try to carry the Infinite as a mental object." So the instruction "forget everything" is the final step of digestion: after taking the medicine of teaching, you stop staring at the bottle and rest in the healed state.

Practice this as a daily "concept fast." Study for a short, honest period, and then deliberately close the book and let the mind stop chewing. Sit quietly for five minutes and notice: awareness is present even when you are not thinking about awareness. When thoughts arise, do not fight them; simply do not build a home in them. In ordinary life, try the same with roles: for a moment, let the mind forget "manager", "parent", "seeker", "failure", "successful". Function as needed, but notice the difference between doing a task and carrying a self-image. The verse is inviting you into that difference. The more often you taste it, the more natural 𑌸𑍍𑌵𑌾𑌸𑍍𑌥𑍍𑌯 becomes.

𑌭𑍋𑌗𑌂 𑌕𑌰𑍍𑌮 𑌸𑌮𑌾𑌧𑌿𑌂 𑌵𑌾 𑌕𑍁𑌰𑍁 𑌵𑌿𑌜𑍍𑌞 𑌤𑌥𑌾𑌪𑌿 𑌤𑍇 ।
𑌚𑌿𑌤𑍍𑌤𑌂 𑌨𑌿𑌰𑌸𑍍𑌤𑌸𑌰𑍍𑌵𑌾𑌶𑌮𑌤𑍍𑌯𑌰𑍍𑌥𑌂 𑌰𑍋𑌚𑌯𑌿𑌷𑍍𑌯𑌤𑌿 ॥ 16-2॥

Meaning (𑌪𑌦𑌾𑌰𑍍𑌥):
𑌭𑍋𑌗𑌂 - enjoyment; indulgence
𑌕𑌰𑍍𑌮 - action; work
𑌸𑌮𑌾𑌧𑌿𑌂 - absorption; meditative stillness
𑌵𑌾 - or
𑌕𑍁𑌰𑍁 - do; undertake
𑌵𑌿𑌜𑍍𑌞 - know; understand
𑌤𑌥𑌾𑌪𑌿 - even then
𑌤𑍇 - your
𑌚𑌿𑌤𑍍𑌤𑌂 - mind
𑌨𑌿𑌰𑌸𑍍𑌤 - removed; thrown away
𑌸𑌰𑍍𑌵-𑌆𑌶𑌾 - all hope; all expectation
𑌅𑌤𑍍𑌯𑌰𑍍𑌥𑌮𑍍 - deeply; exceedingly
𑌰𑍋𑌚𑌯𑌿𑌷𑍍𑌯𑌤𑌿 - will delight in; will relish

Translation (𑌭𑌾𑌵𑌾𑌰𑍍𑌥):
Whether you pursue enjoyment, action, or meditation - and even if you come to understand many things - your mind will truly relish peace only when all expectation has been let go.

Commentary (𑌅𑌨𑍁𑌸𑌂𑌧𑌾𑌨):
Ashtavakra names the three common strategies people use to feel okay: pleasure (𑌭𑍋𑌗), achievement (𑌕𑌰𑍍𑌮), and inner experience (𑌸𑌮𑌾𑌧𑌿). Each can bring a temporary uplift, but the verse says the mind finds real sweetness only when the hunger for a particular outcome ends. The key phrase is 𑌨𑌿𑌰𑌸𑍍𑌤-𑌸𑌰𑍍𑌵-𑌆𑌶𑌾: "all hope thrown away." Here 𑌆𑌶𑌾 is not healthy aspiration; it is the tightening expectation that says, "This must happen for me to be okay." That expectation keeps the mind bargaining with life, so even good experiences feel fragile and incomplete.

The tradition repeats this in many voices. The Bhagavad Gita points to inner freedom as 𑌨𑌿𑌰𑌾𑌶𑍀𑌰𑍍 𑌨𑌿𑌰𑍍𑌮𑌮𑍋 𑌭𑍂𑌤𑍍𑌵𑌾 - living without the fever of expectation and without possessiveness - and also says that peace comes to the one who moves without craving, like an ocean that remains full even as rivers enter it. When expectation drops, action and enjoyment become lighter: you can work without making the result your identity, and you can enjoy without clinging. This is also why the verse does not condemn 𑌸𑌮𑌾𑌧𑌿: even spiritual states can become objects of addiction when they are used to prove "I am advanced." Dropping 𑌆𑌶𑌾 removes that subtle pressure.

Practice by working with one expectation you can actually observe. Choose a small domain: an email response, a compliment, a particular mood, a plan going your way. Notice how the mind tightens around it and rehearses the thought, "I need this." Then soften it with a simple statement: "I prefer it, but I don't need it to be whole." Do the action you need to do, but let the nervous bargaining drop. If you meditate, watch for the expectation of a special state and replace it with a quieter intention: "Let the mind rest as it is." Over time, you'll see that peace is not the prize at the end of an activity; it is the absence of inner demand in the middle of it.

𑌆𑌯𑌾𑌸𑌾𑌤𑍍𑌸𑌕𑌲𑍋 𑌦𑍁𑌃𑌖𑍀 𑌨𑍈𑌨𑌂 𑌜𑌾𑌨𑌾𑌤𑌿 𑌕𑌶𑍍𑌚𑌨 ।
𑌅𑌨𑍇𑌨𑍈𑌵𑍋𑌪𑌦𑍇𑌶𑍇𑌨 𑌧𑌨𑍍𑌯𑌃 𑌪𑍍𑌰𑌾𑌪𑍍𑌨𑍋𑌤𑌿 𑌨𑌿𑌰𑍍𑌵𑍃𑌤𑌿𑌮𑍍 ॥ 16-3॥

Meaning (𑌪𑌦𑌾𑌰𑍍𑌥):
𑌆𑌯𑌾𑌸𑌾𑌤𑍍 - from strain; from exhausting effort
𑌸𑌕𑌲𑌃 - everyone
𑌦𑍁𑌃𑌖𑍀 - unhappy; burdened
𑌨 - not
𑌏𑌨𑌮𑍍 - this (truth)
𑌜𑌾𑌨𑌾𑌤𑌿 - knows
𑌕𑌶𑍍𑌚𑌨 - anyone
𑌅𑌨𑍇𑌨 - by this
𑌏𑌵 - alone; indeed
𑌉𑌪𑌦𑍇𑌶𑍇𑌨 - by instruction; by teaching
𑌧𑌨𑍍𑌯𑌃 - blessed one; fortunate one
𑌪𑍍𑌰𑌾𑌪𑍍𑌨𑍋𑌤𑌿 - attains
𑌨𑌿𑌰𑍍𑌵𑍃𑌤𑌿𑌮𑍍 - cessation; repose; quiet joy

Translation (𑌭𑌾𑌵𑌾𑌰𑍍𑌥):
Everyone suffers from strain, yet almost no one recognizes this. By this very instruction alone, the blessed one attains deep repose.

Commentary (𑌅𑌨𑍁𑌸𑌂𑌧𑌾𑌨):
This verse is not condemning honest effort in the world; it is diagnosing the subtle, constant strain of inner becoming. Many people look busy and functional, but inwardly they carry a hidden pressure: "I must fix myself, I must manage everything, I must be seen a certain way, I must not feel this." That pressure is 𑌆𑌯𑌾𑌸. It turns even simple life into a tight project. Ashtavakra says the tragedy is that most people do not even notice this as the core of their suffering; they blame circumstances, people, and events, while the deeper tension remains untouched.

The "instruction" here is the same one the chapter keeps repeating: drop the inner project and rest. Advaita points out that the Self is not achieved by strain; it is recognized when strain stops. This is why the tradition often treats effort as a tool that must eventually be put down. In the 𑌯𑍋𑌗 Sutras too, the mind becomes quiet not merely by force but by a kind of relaxing insight. When you see the mechanism of strain, you can stop feeding it. That is why the verse says the blessed one attains 𑌨𑌿𑌰𑍍𑌵𑍃𑌤𑌿 by this teaching alone: because it targets the root.

Practice by catching strain at the moment it is born. When you notice tightness - in the jaw, the chest, the hurry to finish, the need to justify - pause and name it: "This is 𑌆𑌯𑌾𑌸." Then ask, "What am I trying to become right now?" Maybe it's "someone who is not criticized," "someone who is always productive," "someone who never feels insecure." For one breath, let that identity-project be forgotten, and return to the simple fact: awareness is here; life is happening; you can respond without inner violence. Do this repeatedly in small moments. The goal is not to stop acting; it is to stop acting from strain.

𑌵𑍍𑌯𑌾𑌪𑌾𑌰𑍇 𑌖𑌿𑌦𑍍𑌯𑌤𑍇 𑌯𑌸𑍍𑌤𑍁 𑌨𑌿𑌮𑍇𑌷𑍋𑌨𑍍𑌮𑍇𑌷𑌯𑍋𑌰𑌪𑌿 ।
𑌤𑌸𑍍𑌯𑌾𑌲𑌸𑍍𑌯 𑌧𑍁𑌰𑍀𑌣𑌸𑍍𑌯 𑌸𑍁𑌖𑌂 𑌨𑌾𑌨𑍍𑌯𑌸𑍍𑌯 𑌕𑌸𑍍𑌯𑌚𑌿𑌤𑍍 ॥ 16-4॥

Meaning (𑌪𑌦𑌾𑌰𑍍𑌥):
𑌵𑍍𑌯𑌾𑌪𑌾𑌰𑍇 - in activity; in busyness
𑌖𑌿𑌦𑍍𑌯𑌤𑍇 - becomes weary; is exhausted
𑌯𑌃 - who
𑌤𑍁 - indeed
𑌨𑌿𑌮𑍇𑌷 - closing the eyes; blinking
𑌉𑌨𑍍𑌮𑍇𑌷𑌯𑍋𑌃 - and opening the eyes
𑌅𑌪𑌿 - even
𑌤𑌸𑍍𑌯 - for that one
𑌆𑌲𑌸𑍍𑌯 - of "laziness"; of non-striving
𑌧𑍁𑌰𑍀𑌣𑌸𑍍𑌯 - the champion; the foremost
𑌸𑍁𑌖𑌂 - happiness; ease
𑌨 - not
𑌅𑌨𑍍𑌯𑌸𑍍𑌯 - for anyone else
𑌕𑌸𑍍𑌯𑌚𑌿𑌤𑍍 - whatsoever

Translation (𑌭𑌾𑌵𑌾𑌰𑍍𑌥):
Even the smallest activity - like blinking - feels tiring to the one who is weary of busyness. Such a master of non-striving alone knows ease; it is not found by anyone else.

Commentary (𑌅𑌨𑍁𑌸𑌂𑌧𑌾𑌨):
At first glance this sounds like praise of laziness, but the verse is pointing to something subtler: the exhaustion of compulsive doing. The mind is often busy not because life requires it, but because it cannot rest in itself. It keeps moving to avoid discomfort, to control uncertainty, or to secure an identity. When that compulsion is seen through, even unnecessary mental motion becomes tiring - like blinking, a metaphor for the smallest reflex. The "champion of 𑌆𑌲𑌸𑍍𑌯" is not a careless person; it is one who has stopped the inner habit of needless movement.

Advaita values this kind of inner non-striving because it reveals the Self as ever-present. If awareness were something to be produced, constant effort would make sense. But if awareness is already here, the work is mostly subtraction. 𑌆𑌦𑌿 𑌶𑌂𑌕𑌰𑌾𑌚𑌾𑌰𑍍𑌯 uses images like the sun that shines without effort and the space that holds everything without strain. This verse leans into that: when the mind stops compulsively doing, the natural ease of being shows itself. The wise can appear ordinary or even "inactive" externally, while inwardly being full.

Practice by distinguishing necessary action from anxious motion. In a day, notice how often you move, check, speak, or plan simply because you feel uneasy. Try a small experiment: before you act, pause for two breaths and ask, "Is this needed, or is this 𑌵𑍍𑌯𑌾𑌪𑌾𑌰 for comfort?" Then act only if it is clean. You can still blink and function, of course; the verse is pointing to the inner blink - the reflex of mind-hopping. Reduce that reflex gently. A few times a day, sit for one minute and allow yourself to do nothing at all: no fixing, no rehearsing, no proving. That simple permission to be is the doorway the verse is praising.

𑌇𑌦𑌂 𑌕𑍃𑌤𑌮𑌿𑌦𑌂 𑌨𑍇𑌤𑌿 𑌦𑍍𑌵𑌂𑌦𑍍𑌵𑍈𑌰𑍍𑌮𑍁𑌕𑍍𑌤𑌂 𑌯𑌦𑌾 𑌮𑌨𑌃 ।
𑌧𑌰𑍍𑌮𑌾𑌰𑍍𑌥𑌕𑌾𑌮𑌮𑍋𑌕𑍍𑌷𑍇𑌷𑍁 𑌨𑌿𑌰𑌪𑍇𑌕𑍍𑌷𑌂 𑌤𑌦𑌾 𑌭𑌵𑍇𑌤𑍍 ॥ 16-5॥

Meaning (𑌪𑌦𑌾𑌰𑍍𑌥):
𑌇𑌦𑌂 - this
𑌕𑍃𑌤𑌮𑍍 - done
𑌇𑌦𑌂 - this
𑌨 - not
𑌇𑌤𑌿 - thus; in the sense "this / not this"
𑌦𑍍𑌵𑌂𑌦𑍍𑌵𑍈𑌃 - by pairs of opposites; dualities
𑌮𑍁𑌕𑍍𑌤𑌮𑍍 - freed
𑌯𑌦𑌾 - when
𑌮𑌨𑌃 - mind
𑌧𑌰𑍍𑌮 - duty; ethical order
𑌅𑌰𑍍𑌥 - wealth; worldly gain
𑌕𑌾𑌮 - desire; pleasure
𑌮𑍋𑌕𑍍𑌷𑍇𑌷𑍁 - and in liberation
𑌨𑌿𑌰𑌪𑍇𑌕𑍍𑌷𑌂 - without dependence; indifferent; not needing
𑌤𑌦𑌾 - then
𑌭𑌵𑍇𑌤𑍍 - becomes

Translation (𑌭𑌾𑌵𑌾𑌰𑍍𑌥):
When the mind is freed from the duality of "this is done / this is not done" and similar opposites, it becomes independent of the usual aims - duty, gain, pleasure, and even liberation.

Commentary (𑌅𑌨𑍁𑌸𑌂𑌧𑌾𑌨):
This verse names a subtle bondage: living inside mental opposites. The mind constantly measures: success/failure, pure/impure, progress/stagnation, done/not done. Those measures have practical use, but they become suffering when they define identity. Ashtavakra says that when the mind is free of this inner scoreboard, it becomes 𑌨𑌿𑌰𑌪𑍇𑌕𑍍𑌷 - not dependent. Even the traditional life aims (𑌧𑌰𑍍𑌮, 𑌅𑌰𑍍𑌥, 𑌕𑌾𑌮, 𑌮𑍋𑌕𑍍𑌷) lose their power to pull, because the mind no longer treats them as the source of wholeness.

This does not mean "be irresponsible." It means action can happen without the anxious story of self-making. The Bhagavad Gita gives a similar medicine: act without clinging to results and let the mind be equal in success and failure. Advaita pushes it further: the deepest freedom is not a better result; it is the dropping of the identity that needs results. When the mind becomes 𑌨𑌿𑌰𑌪𑍇𑌕𑍍𑌷, even the idea of liberation can stop being a project. That is crucial, because "seeking liberation" can quietly become just another version of seeking achievement.

Practice by noticing the "done/not done" voice. It often appears as guilt, perfectionism, or the need to constantly optimize. In one area - household tasks, work projects, spiritual practice - experiment with doing what is appropriate and then stopping. After a task, tell yourself: "Enough. The mind can rest." If guilt arises, observe it as a thought, not as a command. In meditation, drop the measuring of "good sitting" and "bad sitting." Let attention return to simple awareness. Over time, this weakens the inner 𑌦𑍍𑌵𑌂𑌦𑍍𑌵 habit, and the mind becomes lighter and less dependent on outcomes for self-worth.

𑌵𑌿𑌰𑌕𑍍𑌤𑍋 𑌵𑌿𑌷𑌯𑌦𑍍𑌵𑍇𑌷𑍍𑌟𑌾 𑌰𑌾𑌗𑍀 𑌵𑌿𑌷𑌯𑌲𑍋𑌲𑍁𑌪𑌃 ।
𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌹𑌮𑍋𑌕𑍍𑌷𑌵𑌿𑌹𑍀𑌨𑌸𑍍𑌤𑍁 𑌨 𑌵𑌿𑌰𑌕𑍍𑌤𑍋 𑌨 𑌰𑌾𑌗𑌵𑌾𑌨𑍍 ॥ 16-6॥

Meaning (𑌪𑌦𑌾𑌰𑍍𑌥):
𑌵𑌿𑌰𑌕𑍍𑌤𑌃 - "dispassionate" person (as a label)
𑌵𑌿𑌷𑌯-𑌦𑍍𑌵𑍇𑌷𑍍𑌟𑌾 - one who hates objects; one with aversion to sense-objects
𑌰𑌾𑌗𑍀 - passionate person; attached one
𑌵𑌿𑌷𑌯-𑌲𑍋𑌲𑍁𑌪𑌃 - one greedy for objects; one who chases sense-objects
𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌹 - grasping; seizing
𑌮𑍋𑌕𑍍𑌷 - releasing; letting go
𑌵𑌿𑌹𑍀𑌨𑌃 - free from; without
𑌤𑍁 - but
𑌨 - not
𑌵𑌿𑌰𑌕𑍍𑌤𑌃 - dispassionate (as a label)
𑌨 - nor
𑌰𑌾𑌗𑌵𑌾𑌨𑍍 - attached

Translation (𑌭𑌾𑌵𑌾𑌰𑍍𑌥):
The one who calls himself dispassionate often ends up hating objects; the attached person runs after them. But the one free of both grasping and pushing away is neither "dispassionate" nor "attached."

Commentary (𑌅𑌨𑍁𑌸𑌂𑌧𑌾𑌨):
This verse exposes a common confusion: mistaking aversion for renunciation. If you "give up" by hating, you're still tied to what you reject; the mind remains reactive. That is why the verse says the so-called 𑌵𑌿𑌰𑌕𑍍𑌤 can become a 𑌵𑌿𑌷𑌯-𑌦𑍍𑌵𑍇𑌷𑍍𑌟𑌾, while the 𑌰𑌾𑌗𑍀 becomes a 𑌵𑌿𑌷𑌯-𑌲𑍋𑌲𑍁𑌪. Both are being moved by objects - one by attraction, the other by repulsion. Real freedom is 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌹-𑌮𑍋𑌕𑍍𑌷-𑌵𑌿𑌹𑍀𑌨: not grabbing and not pushing away, because the mind is not seeking completion from either.

Advaita treats this as a sign of maturity. When the Self is known as whole, the mind does not need objects to complete it, and it also does not need to demonize them. This is why many teachings describe the wise as 𑌉𑌦𑌾𑌸𑍀𑌨 (uninvolved) but not cold. They can enjoy what comes without clinging and can let go without bitterness. The Bhagavad Gita calls this steadiness being free from 𑌰𑌾𑌗 and 𑌦𑍍𑌵𑍇𑌷. Ashtavakra is making the same point, with a sharper edge.

Practice by watching how aversion masquerades as spirituality. Notice if you secretly feel proud of disliking certain things, people, or worldly life. That pride is still attachment, just inverted. When attraction arises, notice the urge to grasp; when aversion arises, notice the urge to push away. In both cases, return to the witness and ask, "What would I do if I did not need this to define me?" Then choose a clean action: enjoy simply, or step away calmly, without the extra story. This trains 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌹 and 𑌮𑍋𑌕𑍍𑌷 to relax together.

𑌹𑍇𑌯𑍋𑌪𑌾𑌦𑍇𑌯𑌤𑌾 𑌤𑌾𑌵𑌤𑍍𑌸𑌂𑌸𑌾𑌰𑌵𑌿𑌟𑌪𑌾𑌂𑌕𑍁𑌰𑌃 ।
𑌸𑍍𑌪𑍃𑌹𑌾 𑌜𑍀𑌵𑌤𑌿 𑌯𑌾𑌵𑌦𑍍 𑌵𑍈 𑌨𑌿𑌰𑍍𑌵𑌿𑌚𑌾𑌰𑌦𑌶𑌾𑌸𑍍𑌪𑌦𑌮𑍍 ॥ 16-𑍭॥

Meaning (𑌪𑌦𑌾𑌰𑍍𑌥):
𑌹𑍇𑌯 - to be rejected; to be abandoned
𑌉𑌪𑌾𑌦𑍇𑌯 - to be accepted; to be taken up
𑌤𑌾 - the state of (forming the abstract)
𑌤𑌾𑌵𑌤𑍍 - so long; only until
𑌸𑌂𑌸𑌾𑌰 - worldly bondage; repetitive mental spinning
𑌵𑌿𑌟𑌪 - tree
𑌅𑌂𑌕𑍁𑌰𑌃 - sprout; shoot
𑌸𑍍𑌪𑍃𑌹𑌾 - craving; longing; thirst
𑌜𑍀𑌵𑌤𑌿 - lives
𑌯𑌾𑌵𑌤𑍍 - as long as
𑌵𑍈 - indeed
𑌨𑌿𑌰𑍍𑌵𑌿𑌚𑌾𑌰 - free from compulsive thinking; without anxious thought-churning
𑌦𑌶𑌾 - state; condition
𑌸𑍍𑌪𑌦𑌮𑍍 - seat; resting place

Translation (𑌭𑌾𑌵𑌾𑌰𑍍𑌥):
The whole tree of worldly bondage sprouts from the habit of "reject this / take that." That habit lives as long as craving lives. When craving is gone, the mind rests beyond compulsive thinking.

Commentary (𑌅𑌨𑍁𑌸𑌂𑌧𑌾𑌨):
The mind's bondage is not only in events; it is in its constant sorting. The habit of "I must get this" and "I must avoid that" is 𑌹𑍇𑌯𑍋𑌪𑌾𑌦𑍇𑌯𑌤𑌾. It seems practical, but when it is fueled by 𑌸𑍍𑌪𑍃𑌹𑌾 (craving-thirst), it becomes a tree of suffering: comparison, fear of loss, resentment, and constant mental noise. The verse says that this entire structure is only a sprout (𑌅𑌂𑌕𑍁𑌰) - not your nature - and it grows only while craving is alive. When craving weakens, the mind naturally enters 𑌨𑌿𑌰𑍍𑌵𑌿𑌚𑌾𑌰-𑌦𑌶𑌾: not a forced thoughtless trance, but a resting state where thought is not a compulsive survival strategy.

This aligns with the wider Indian insight that craving is the root of agitation. The Bhagavad Gita repeatedly points to freedom from 𑌤𑍃𑌷𑍍𑌣𑌾 and 𑌰𑌾𑌗-𑌦𑍍𑌵𑍇𑌷 as the sign of steadiness. 𑌯𑍋𑌗 also says that mind-movement (𑌵𑍃𑌤𑍍𑌤𑌿) is strengthened by attachment; when attachment loosens, stillness comes more easily. Ashtavakra's phrasing is especially clear: stop feeding the "take/reject" machine, and rest appears. This is why mature dispassion is different from suppression; suppression keeps the sorting alive, while dispassion reduces its fuel.

Practice by choosing one recurring craving and observing how it makes you sort the world. For example: craving for approval turns every conversation into "Did I impress them?" Craving for comfort turns every inconvenience into "I can't tolerate this." When you notice the sorting, pause and name it: "𑌹𑍇𑌯/𑌉𑌪𑌾𑌦𑍇𑌯." Then ask, "What happens if I don't feed this for one minute?" Let the craving be present without obeying it. Take one small action that reduces fuel: simplify one habit, delay one impulse, or accept one discomfort without drama. Over weeks, this weakens 𑌸𑍍𑌪𑍃𑌹𑌾, and the mind starts tasting the quiet joy of 𑌨𑌿𑌰𑍍𑌵𑌿𑌚𑌾𑌰 on its own.

𑌪𑍍𑌰𑌵𑍃𑌤𑍍𑌤𑍌 𑌜𑌾𑌯𑌤𑍇 𑌰𑌾𑌗𑍋 𑌨𑌿𑌰𑍍𑌵𑍃𑌤𑍍𑌤𑍌 𑌦𑍍𑌵𑍇𑌷 𑌏𑌵 𑌹𑌿 ।
𑌨𑌿𑌰𑍍𑌦𑍍𑌵𑌂𑌦𑍍𑌵𑍋 𑌬𑌾𑌲𑌵𑌦𑍍 𑌧𑍀𑌮𑌾𑌨𑍍 𑌏𑌵𑌮𑍇𑌵 𑌵𑍍𑌯𑌵𑌸𑍍𑌥𑌿𑌤𑌃 ॥ 16-𑍮॥

Meaning (𑌪𑌦𑌾𑌰𑍍𑌥):
𑌪𑍍𑌰𑌵𑍃𑌤𑍍𑌤𑍌 - in engagement; in outward action
𑌜𑌾𑌯𑌤𑍇 - arises; is born
𑌰𑌾𑌗𑌃 - attachment; liking; clinging
𑌨𑌿𑌰𑍍𑌵𑍃𑌤𑍍𑌤𑍌 - in withdrawal; in turning away
𑌦𑍍𑌵𑍇𑌷𑌃 - aversion; dislike
𑌏𑌵 - indeed
𑌹𑌿 - for; because
𑌨𑌿𑌰𑍍𑌦𑍍𑌵𑌂𑌦𑍍𑌵𑌃 - free from opposites; non-reactive
𑌬𑌾𑌲𑌵𑌤𑍍 - like a child; simple, unforced
𑌧𑍀𑌮𑌾𑌨𑍍 - wise person; discerning one
𑌏𑌵𑌂 𑌏𑌵 - just so; exactly thus
𑌵𑍍𑌯𑌵𑌸𑍍𑌥𑌿𑌤𑌃 - established; steady

Translation (𑌭𑌾𑌵𑌾𑌰𑍍𑌥):
When you throw yourself into engagement, attachment arises; when you throw yourself into withdrawal, aversion arises. The wise one stays free of opposites, simple like a child, established in natural steadiness.

Commentary (𑌅𑌨𑍁𑌸𑌂𑌧𑌾𑌨):
This verse corrects a common misunderstanding: "If I withdraw, I will be free." Withdrawal can reduce stimulation, but it can also carry hidden aversion. In action (𑌪𑍍𑌰𑌵𑍃𑌤𑍍𑌤𑌿), we often cling to outcomes and roles; in withdrawal (𑌨𑌿𑌰𑍍𑌵𑍃𑌤𑍍𑌤𑌿), we can cling to being "above it all" or resent the world. Both create friction. Ashtavakra says the wise is 𑌨𑌿𑌰𑍍𑌦𑍍𑌵𑌂𑌦𑍍𑌵 - not pulled by either extreme. The word 𑌬𑌾𑌲𑌵𑌤𑍍 does not mean childish ignorance; it points to a simple, unselfconscious way of being where the mind is not continuously bargaining.

Many scriptures honor this middle clarity. The Bhagavad Gita does not glorify mere escape; it teaches a steadiness in action and a freedom in non-action, without attachment. 𑌆𑌦𑌿 𑌶𑌂𑌕𑌰𑌾𑌚𑌾𑌰𑍍𑌯 too warns that external renunciation without inner clarity becomes another identity. This verse is pointing to the inner root: attachment and aversion are both forms of dependence. When the Self is known as complete, both soften. Then action becomes service or duty without ego, and rest becomes rest without laziness or avoidance.

Practice by noticing your own preferred extreme. Some people over-engage to feel important; others withdraw to avoid discomfort. In a week, watch for the signature feeling: in engagement, do you feel tight and hungry for results? In withdrawal, do you feel superior or numb? When you catch it, return to a childlike simplicity: feel your breath, see the room, and let the mind stop arguing for a moment. Then choose one clean step: do what is needed without over-investing, or rest without using rest as avoidance. This trains 𑌨𑌿𑌰𑍍𑌦𑍍𑌵𑌂𑌦𑍍𑌵 as a lived skill, not just a philosophy.

𑌹𑌾𑌤𑍁𑌮𑌿𑌚𑍍𑌛𑌤𑌿 𑌸𑌂𑌸𑌾𑌰𑌂 𑌰𑌾𑌗𑍀 𑌦𑍁𑌃𑌖𑌜𑌿𑌹𑌾𑌸𑌯𑌾 ।
𑌵𑍀𑌤𑌰𑌾𑌗𑍋 𑌹𑌿 𑌨𑌿𑌰𑍍𑌦𑍁𑌃𑌖𑌸𑍍𑌤𑌸𑍍𑌮𑌿𑌨𑍍𑌨𑌪𑌿 𑌨 𑌖𑌿𑌦𑍍𑌯𑌤𑌿 ॥ 16-𑍯॥

Meaning (𑌪𑌦𑌾𑌰𑍍𑌥):
𑌹𑌾𑌤𑍁𑌮𑍍 - to abandon; to give up
𑌇𑌚𑍍𑌛𑌤𑌿 - desires; wants
𑌸𑌂𑌸𑌾𑌰𑌂 - worldly bondage; the cycle of mental suffering
𑌰𑌾𑌗𑍀 - the attached one; passion-driven one
𑌦𑍁𑌃𑌖 - pain; suffering
𑌜𑌿𑌹𑌾𑌸𑌯𑌾 - with the wish to remove; to escape
𑌵𑍀𑌤-𑌰𑌾𑌗𑌃 - free from attachment; dispassionate
𑌹𑌿 - indeed
𑌨𑌿𑌰𑍍𑌦𑍁𑌃𑌖𑌃 - without suffering; inwardly unburdened
𑌤𑌸𑍍𑌮𑌿𑌨𑍍 - in that (𑌸𑌂𑌸𑌾𑌰)
𑌅𑌪𑌿 - even
𑌨 - not
𑌖𑌿𑌦𑍍𑌯𑌤𑌿 - is troubled; is distressed

Translation (𑌭𑌾𑌵𑌾𑌰𑍍𑌥):
The attachment-driven person wants to abandon the world to escape suffering. But the one free from attachment is already without inner suffering, and is not troubled even if the world continues.

Commentary (𑌅𑌨𑍁𑌸𑌂𑌧𑌾𑌨):
This verse distinguishes two motivations that can look similar on the outside. One person says, "I want to leave everything," but the real motive is 𑌦𑍁𑌃𑌖-𑌜𑌿𑌹𑌾𑌸𑌾 - the wish to flee pain. Another person may live simply, but not because of escape; their simplicity comes from 𑌵𑍀𑌤𑌰𑌾𑌗 - the dropping of attachment. The first motive keeps 𑌸𑌂𑌸𑌾𑌰 alive, because it is still driven by fear and aversion; the second dissolves 𑌸𑌂𑌸𑌾𑌰, because it removes the fuel. Ashtavakra says the truly dispassionate one is 𑌨𑌿𑌰𑍍𑌦𑍁𑌃𑌖: not because the world has become perfect, but because the mind is no longer insisting that the world must be different for peace to exist.

This is why Advaita emphasizes inner freedom over outer rearrangement. A new place, a new role, or a new routine can help, but the real shift is the end of compulsive dependence. The Bhagavad Gita speaks of the steady person who does not hate what arises and does not crave what is absent. That is the heart of this verse. It also clarifies why escapist renunciation often fails: when the same fear-driven mind goes to the forest, it carries the forest inside its own thoughts.

Practice by checking your renunciation impulses. When you want to quit a job, leave a relationship, or "start over," ask honestly: "Is this a clean change, or is it a flight from discomfort?" If it is clean, act with clarity. If it is flight, pause and work with the discomfort directly: feel it, name it, and return to awareness for a few breaths. Then take one small step that reduces attachment without running away - simplify one habit, reduce one indulgence, or have one truthful conversation. Over time, dispassion becomes a stable inner capacity rather than a dramatic escape.

𑌯𑌸𑍍𑌯𑌾𑌭𑌿𑌮𑌾𑌨𑍋 𑌮𑍋𑌕𑍍𑌷𑍇𑌽𑌪𑌿 𑌦𑍇𑌹𑍇𑌽𑌪𑌿 𑌮𑌮𑌤𑌾 𑌤𑌥𑌾 ।
𑌨 𑌚 𑌜𑍍𑌞𑌾𑌨𑍀 𑌨 𑌵𑌾 𑌯𑍋𑌗𑍀 𑌕𑍇𑌵𑌲𑌂 𑌦𑍁𑌃𑌖𑌭𑌾𑌗𑌸𑍌 ॥ 16-10॥

Meaning (𑌪𑌦𑌾𑌰𑍍𑌥):
𑌯𑌸𑍍𑌯 - of whom
𑌅𑌭𑌿𑌮𑌾𑌨𑌃 - ego; pride; self-importance
𑌮𑍋𑌕𑍍𑌷𑍇 𑌅𑌪𑌿 - even regarding liberation
𑌦𑍇𑌹𑍇 𑌅𑌪𑌿 - even regarding the body
𑌮𑌮𑌤𑌾 - possessiveness; "mine"-ness
𑌤𑌥𑌾 - similarly; also
𑌨 - not
𑌚 - and
𑌜𑍍𑌞𑌾𑌨𑍀 - knower (of the Self)
𑌨 - not
𑌵𑌾 - nor
𑌯𑍋𑌗𑍀 - yogi; one established in 𑌯𑍋𑌗
𑌕𑍇𑌵𑌲𑌂 - only; merely
𑌦𑍁𑌃𑌖-𑌭𑌾𑌗𑌃 - a share in suffering; a sufferer
𑌅𑌸𑍌 - that person

Translation (𑌭𑌾𑌵𑌾𑌰𑍍𑌥):
One who feels pride about liberation, and also feels possessive about the body, is neither a true knower nor a true yogi - only a participant in suffering.

Commentary (𑌅𑌨𑍁𑌸𑌂𑌧𑌾𑌨):
This verse is a sharp warning about spiritual ego. The mind can turn "liberation" into a badge: "I am advanced; I am special; I know." That is 𑌅𑌭𑌿𑌮𑌾𑌨 about 𑌮𑍋𑌕𑍍𑌷. At the same time, the same mind may still cling to the body as "me" and "mine" - seeking security, fearing aging, craving comfort, defending identity. Ashtavakra says this mixture is not wisdom; it is confusion. If there is still 𑌮𑌮𑌤𑌾 toward the body and pride about spirituality, suffering continues, because fear and craving still have a base.

Advaita repeatedly dissolves this by exposing 𑌅𑌹𑌂𑌕𑌾𑌰 (ego-sense) as a thought, not as the Self. The Bhagavad Gita says that the sense of doership belongs to 𑌪𑍍𑌰𑌕𑍃𑌤𑌿, while the deluded Self-sense claims it. 𑌆𑌦𑌿 𑌶𑌂𑌕𑌰𑌾𑌚𑌾𑌰𑍍𑌯 similarly warns that subtle pride can survive in the robe of renunciation. This verse is compassionate in its severity: it prevents you from wasting years polishing an identity called "spiritual" while missing the freedom that comes from dropping identity itself.

Practice by doing an honesty-check on your "spiritual self." Notice if you seek to be seen as wise, if you feel irritated when not respected, or if you compare your practice with others. When that arises, label it 𑌅𑌭𑌿𑌮𑌾𑌨 and let it be seen in awareness. Also notice body-attachment: fear of aging, obsession with appearance, panic about illness, or needing constant comfort. Instead of fighting the body, relate to it as an instrument - cared for, but not worshiped. Each day, do one act of humility (learn from someone, apologize cleanly) and one act of inner freedom (allow discomfort without drama). This gradually makes 𑌮𑍋𑌕𑍍𑌷 a lived recognition rather than an ego project.

𑌹𑌰𑍋 𑌯𑌦𑍍𑌯𑍁𑌪𑌦𑍇𑌷𑍍𑌟𑌾 𑌤𑍇 𑌹𑌰𑌿𑌃 𑌕𑌮𑌲𑌜𑍋𑌽𑌪𑌿 𑌵𑌾 ।
𑌤𑌥𑌾𑌪𑌿 𑌨 𑌤𑌵 𑌸𑍍𑌵𑌾𑌸𑍍𑌥𑍍𑌯𑌂 𑌸𑌰𑍍𑌵𑌵𑌿𑌸𑍍𑌮𑌰𑌣𑌾𑌦𑍃𑌤𑍇 ॥ 16-11॥

Meaning (𑌪𑌦𑌾𑌰𑍍𑌥):
𑌹𑌰𑌃 - Shiva (as the remover)
𑌯𑌦𑌿 - if
𑌉𑌪𑌦𑍇𑌷𑍍𑌟𑌾 - teacher; instructor
𑌤𑍇 - to you
𑌹𑌰𑌿𑌃 - Vishnu
𑌕𑌮𑌲𑌜𑌃 - Brahma ("born of the lotus")
𑌅𑌪𑌿 - even
𑌵𑌾 - or
𑌤𑌥𑌾𑌪𑌿 - even then
𑌨 - not
𑌤𑌵 - your
𑌸𑍍𑌵𑌾𑌸𑍍𑌥𑍍𑌯𑌂 - inner health; steadiness; wellbeing
𑌸𑌰𑍍𑌵-𑌵𑌿𑌸𑍍𑌮𑌰𑌣𑌾𑌤𑍍 - from forgetting everything; from dropping all mental holdings
𑌋𑌤𑍇 - except; without

Translation (𑌭𑌾𑌵𑌾𑌰𑍍𑌥):
Even if Shiva instructs you, or Vishnu, or even Brahma, you will not find inner wellbeing except by letting everything be forgotten.

Commentary (𑌅𑌨𑍁𑌸𑌂𑌧𑌾𑌨):
The verse returns to the refrain with a stronger emphasis: no teacher, however exalted, can hand you inner freedom as a possession. Teachers can point, bless, and clarify, but the actual release must happen in your own mind: the dropping of clinging. This is why Ashtavakra repeats 𑌸𑌰𑍍𑌵-𑌵𑌿𑌸𑍍𑌮𑌰𑌣. The mind often tries to outsource freedom: "If only I had the perfect guru, the perfect method, the perfect scripture." The verse says: even divine instruction cannot bypass the simple inner act of letting go.

This is echoed in the Upanishadic line 𑌨𑌾𑌯𑌮𑌾𑌤𑍍𑌮𑌾 𑌪𑍍𑌰𑌵𑌚𑌨𑍇𑌨 𑌲𑌭𑍍𑌯𑌃 - the Self is not attained merely by much speaking or study. Grace matters, but grace works by opening the heart to release, not by adding more information. In Advaita, the ultimate "teacher" is the clarity of awareness itself. That is why the tradition insists on 𑌅𑌨𑍁𑌭𑌵 (direct seeing) and 𑌅𑌪𑌰𑍋𑌕𑍍𑌷 (immediate knowledge) rather than endless conceptual certainty. The verse is not anti-guru; it is anti-dependence.

Practice by making your study and your practice aim at release, not accumulation. If you read teachings, ask: "What clinging is this asking me to drop right now?" If you meet a teacher, receive the pointer and then test it in your own experience. In daily life, practice "forgetting" at the moments you usually tighten: when you want to win an argument, when you want to control an outcome, when you want to replay the past. For two breaths, let the story be forgotten and rest in awareness. Then act from simplicity. Over time, you will see why even the highest instruction converges on this one point: freedom is a release, not an acquisition.

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