Ch 9

9: Detachment

Ashtavakra said: 

Opposing forces, 

duties done and left undone

when does it end 

and for whom? 

Considering this, be ever desireless, 

let go of all things, 

and to the world turn an indifferent eye. 

Rare and blessed is one 

whose desire to live, 

to enjoy and to know, 

has been extinguished by observing 

the ways of men. 

Seeing all things as threefold suffering, 

the sage becomes still. 

Insubstantial, transient, contemptible-the 

world is fit only for rejection. 

Was there an age or time 

men existed without opposites? 

Leave the opposites behind. 

Be content with what comes. 

Perfection. 

The greatest seers, saints and yogis 

agree on very little. 

Seeing this, 

who could not be indifferent to knowledge 

and become still? 

One who 

through worldly indifference, 

through serenity and reason, 

sees his true nature and escapes illusion 

is he not a true teacher? 

In the myriad forms of the universe 

see the primal element alone. 

You will be instantly free, 

and abide in Self. 

Desire creates the world--renounce it. 

Renounce desires 

and you renounce the world. 

Now you may live as you are.