Namaste! First of all thanks for the feedback. Let's discuss the next verse:
Chapter 1 Verse 2:
अष्टावक्र उवाच -
मुक्तिमिच्छसि चेत्तात्,
विषयान विषवत्त्यज।
क्षमार्जवदयातोष, सत्यं
पीयूषवद्भज॥१-२॥
Translation
Sri Ashtavakra answers -
If you wish to attain liberation,
give up the passions (desires for sense objects) as poison.
Practice forgiveness, simplicity, compassion, contentment and truth
as nectar.॥2॥
Discussion
Guru says:
if you really want to get liberated and peaceful living, here is how you experience:
Don't get yourself into the poison of desires. The more you desire, more suffering you create. Here is how: if you dont get what you desire, you get frustrated and you suffer. Even if you get what you desire, a new desire comes to your mind in seconds, and it will continue. If desires are in your nature, they will continue to spread like a poison. Remove this poison out from your body. It is important to understand that it is not suggested to stop doing work OR leaving the worldly connections. Do what you do with passion and perfection but without any desires. Desires create frustration, anger, dissatisfaction, guilt, feeling of something missing and hence suffering.
Drink the nectar of forgiveness (forgive yourself for any prior guilt), simplicity (keep life super simple-not impacted/moved by pleasures and sorrows), compassion (feeling that everyone is same), contentment (satisfaction with what comes in life) and truth (knowing the true nature of life). Once you know the truth, other practices flow smoothly with it. Truth itself will make every moment of life as like drinking nectar.
We will discuss about true nature of life in upcoming posts.
As requested earlier, please continue to give your feedback and we will make this exploration easier for everyone.
@zambize: Appreciate your comments. More details will follow as we get into more verses.
@DocHoliday: Yes Gyan is different way of writing Gnan. Gyan is actually the correct pronunciation in Sanskrit or Hindi, but Gnan is more formal way in English to call "Gyan". Thanks for the call out. Gnan will be used going forward to avoid confusions.