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Ashtavakra Gita 18.5

18.5 Ashtavakra to Janaka

न दूरं न च सङ्कोचाल्लब्धमेवात्मनः पदम् । निर्विकल्पं निरायासं निर्विकारं निरञ्जनम् ॥

na dūraṃ na ca saṅkocāllabdhamevātmanaḥ padam | nirvikalpaṃ nirāyāsaṃ nirvikāraṃ nirañjanam ||

The state of the Self is not far off, nor is it gained by limiting oneself; it is already attained: beyond thought-constructs, effortless, changeless and spotless.

आत्मा का पद न दूर है, न सिकुड़ने (सीमित करने) से मिलता है; वह पहले से ही प्राप्त है: निर्विकल्प, बिना प्रयास का, निर्विकार और निर्मल।

Meaning today and contextआज के लिए अर्थ और संदर्भ

We often treat peace as a distant prize earned by squeezing ourselves into a smaller shape. The verse says what you are looking for is already here, before any effort.

हम अक्सर शांति को एक दूर का इनाम मानते हैं, जो खुद को छोटा और सीमित करके मिलेगा। यह श्लोक कहता है कि जिसे आप खोज रहे हैं, वह किसी भी प्रयास से पहले यहीं है।

Ashtavakra teaches Janaka in the final chapter on peace (shanti): he says the Self is neither far away nor gained by narrowing oneself; it is already attained, free of thought, effort, change and stain.

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