Ashtavakra Gita - Selected Verses!

1. Both the modifications of appearance and disappearance is due to nature. Thus having come to the conclusion, remaining unperturbed, being freed from misery, one becomes quiet and peaceful very easily.
2. The Lord is the controller of all; here, there is nobody else; thus having come to the conclusion, with all desires having been dissolved inside and fully serene and peaceful, one does not get involved in any work whatsoever.
3. From time to time, calamity and prosperity comes from destiny; one having contended, with all the senses subdued, one does not desire anything nor does one grieve for anything lost.
4. Happiness and misery, birth and death are due to the effects of past acts called destiny only; in this manner one who has come to the conclusion, being free from any effort, is not tainted even while performing actions.
5. Misery in this world is produced due to thoughts. Otherwise, it does not exist - one who had concluded thus, freed from all thoughts and having got rid of all desires becomes happy and calm everywhere.
6. I am not the body; I do not posses any body. I am consciousness; thus one who has come to this conclusion is almost as if he has attained the absolute state of emancipation. He does not remember duties done or duties not done.
7. I alone exist - from the creator to a blade of grass (in all names and forms); thus being indifferent to what has been obtained, one who has come to this conclusion, becomes free from all doubts and is pure and serene.
8. This universe which is marvelous in manifold ways, amounts to nothing; thus having come to this conclusion, being freed from all desires, being of the nature of pure consciousness, becomes peaceful as if nothing exists.
9. To you, even if Lord Siva himself or Vishnu or Brahma becomes the instructor, unless you forget all the teachings except the Self, you will not get established in your Self!