Listen with reverence to the unfolding wisdom spoken between the sage Ashtavakra and King Janaka, as they reveal the nature of the Self and the illusion of the world. The knower, realizing his true nature, perceives himself as the boundless ocean, while the world appears to him only as a fleeting wave upon its surface. For one who abides in this knowledge, there is neither anything to renounce nor anything to accept—there is only the dissolution of all distinctions. Similarly, just as mother-of-pearl is mistaken for silver, the world-appearance is but a shimmering illusion upon the substance of the Self. For such a one, renunciation and acceptance lose all meaning; there is solely dissolution into the truth. Whether one sees himself pervading all beings, or all beings as existing within himself, this understanding brings a profound realization: for this wise one, there is no question of renouncing, accepting, or even dissolving anything, for all is seen as the Self alone. King Janaka then spoke, saying, “In the infinite ocean that is my own Self, the ship of the world drifts here and there, blown by the wind of its own mind. I harbor no impatience with this. In this same vast ocean, the wave of the world arises and subsides by its own nature. Whether it rises or falls, I experience neither gain nor loss. In the infinite ocean that I am, the world is but a notion—utterly peaceful, formless. In this alone I abide. “The Self is untouched by any state, nor do states exist in that infinite, stainless One. Unattached, free from desire, and at peace—this is my abiding. Ah! I am pure consciousness alone, and the world is like a magic show. How, then, could there be any thought in me of rejecting or accepting anything?” Ashtavakra then declared, “Bondage is when the mind desires, grieves, lets go, grasps, sees distinctions, or becomes angry. Liberation is when the mind neither desires nor grieves, neither lets go nor grasps, neither rejoices nor becomes angry. Bondage comes when the mind is attached to any perception; liberation is when the mind is unattached to all perceptions. When there is a sense of ‘I,’ there is bondage; when ‘I’ is absent, there is liberation. Knowing this, do not grasp or abandon anything, even carelessly. “When have the pairs of opposites—action and inaction—ever come to rest, and for whom? Knowing this, become indifferent, devoted to renunciation, and free from all vows. For some rare blessed one, simply by observing the ways of the world, all desire for life, food, and knowledge, along with all agitation, vanish. “All this is impermanent, tainted by suffering, unsubstantial, and blameworthy—knowing this, one becomes calm. In what time, age, or circumstance are the pairs of opposites ever absent from people? Ignoring them, and acting as is fitting, one attains perfection. Not by the doctrines of sages, saints, or yogis—seeing this, who does not become calm, having become dispassionate? “Having realized the true nature of consciousness, who is not a teacher? Through dispassion and equanimity, one leads others beyond the endless cycle of birth and death. See the transformations of the elements as nothing but the elements themselves; in that very instant, freed from bondage, you will abide in your own nature. “Desires alone are the world—therefore, abandon them all. Renouncing desires, you will remain established today, in whatever way it may be. Renounce desire, your enemy, and wealth, which brings misfortune; even righteousness, which arises from these two, regard with detachment everywhere. See the days—three or five—as like a dream or an illusion: friends, lands, wealth, houses, wives, heirs, and possessions. “Wherever there is craving, know that there is worldly existence; relying on mature dispassion, become happy, free from craving. Bondage consists only of craving; its destruction is called liberation. By mere non-attachment to existence, satisfaction is attained again and again. You alone are conscious and pure; the world is inert and unreal. Even ignorance is nothing—so why this curiosity of yours? “Kingdoms, sons, wives, bodies, and pleasures—even for one attached, all these are lost in every birth. Enough of wealth, desire, and even virtuous deeds; among these, in the desert of worldly existence, the mind has never found rest. How many births have passed, in body, mind, and speech, performing actions that bring suffering and toil? Let that cease today. “Knowing that arising, non-arising, and change are all natural, one who is changeless and free from distress attains peace effortlessly. Knowing that the Lord is the creator of all and there is no other, one whose hopes have dissolved within is peaceful and does not become attached anywhere. Knowing that misfortune and fortune come in time and by fate, one who is content and whose senses are steady never desires nor grieves. “Knowing that happiness and sorrow, birth and death, come by fate, one who sees what is to be done, without effort, is not tainted even while acting. Knowing that suffering arises from thought and not otherwise, one who is free from it is happy, peaceful, and everywhere devoid of longing. Knowing ‘I am not the body, nor is the body mine; I am consciousness,’ one attains isolation as if liberated, and does not remember what was done or not done. Knowing ‘I alone am,’ from Brahma down to a blade of grass, one who is undivided, pure, peaceful, and free from concern for attainment or non-attainment. “Knowing ‘This world is not wondrous, nor is anything,’ one who is free from desires, consisting only of awareness, becomes peaceful as if nothing exists.” Then Janaka spoke of his own realization: “At first, I found myself unable to perform bodily actions; then, unable to elaborate in speech; and then, unable even to think—thus, I have settled in this way. By losing delight in words and such things, and by the self remaining invisible, with a heart undisturbed and concentrated, I have settled thus. Observing that even the practice of samadhi is itself a distraction from samadhi, I have thus settled in this way. O Brahman, recognizing that joy and sorrow do not arise, since there is nothing to accept or reject, I have thus settled in this way.” In this manner, the wisdom of the Self is revealed—beyond acceptance and rejection, beyond desire and aversion, abiding in the peace of pure consciousness alone.