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Ashtavakra Gita 18.76

18.76 Ashtavakra to Janaka

मन्दः श्रुत्वापि तद्वस्तु न जहाति विमूढताम् । निर्विकल्पो बहिर्यत्नादन्तर्विषयलालसः ॥

mandaḥ śrutvāpi tadvastu na jahāti vimūḍhatām | nirvikalpo bahiryatnādantarviṣayalālasaḥ ||

The dull one, even after hearing that reality, does not give up his delusion. By outward effort he appears free of thought, but inside he still hankers after sense pleasures.

मंद बुद्धि वाला उस तत्त्व को सुनकर भी अपनी मूढ़ता नहीं छोड़ता। बाहर से प्रयत्न करके निर्विकल्प दिखता है, पर भीतर विषयों की लालसा बनी रहती है।

Meaning today and contextआज के लिए अर्थ और संदर्भ

You can look calm and spiritual while cravings run the show inside. Honesty about what is still pulling at you matters more than appearing detached.

बाहर से शांत और आध्यात्मिक दिखते हुए भी भीतर लालसाएँ राज कर सकती हैं। अनासक्त दिखने से अधिक ज़रूरी है यह ईमानदारी कि भीतर क्या अब भी खींच रहा है।

Ashtavakra, continuing his final teaching to Janaka on the person of steady wisdom, says the dull one hears the truth yet keeps his delusion: outwardly free of thoughts by effort, inwardly hungry for sense objects.

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