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Ashtavakra Gita 18.22

18.22 Ashtavakra to Janaka

असंसारस्य तु क्वापि न हर्षो न विषादिता । स शीतलमना नित्यं विदेह इव राजते ॥

asaṃsārasya tu kvāpi na harṣo na viṣāditā | sa śītalamanā nityaṃ videha iva rājate ||

For one who is no longer bound by the world, there is no elation and no dejection anywhere; ever cool-minded, he shines as if without a body.

जो संसार से बँधा नहीं रहा, उसे कहीं भी न हर्ष है न विषाद; वह सदा शीतल मन वाला होकर विदेह की तरह शोभता है।

Meaning today and contextआज के लिए अर्थ और संदर्भ

Highs and lows need not throw us around. A cool mind still feels, but is not carried off by every surge of joy or gloom.

उतार-चढ़ाव हमें इधर-उधर पटकें, यह ज़रूरी नहीं। शीतल मन भी महसूस करता है, पर खुशी या उदासी की हर लहर में बह नहीं जाता।

Ashtavakra teaches Janaka in the final chapter on peace (shanti): he says one no longer caught in worldly existence has neither elation nor dejection anywhere; with a cool mind he shines as if bodiless.

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