228 Avasana, Destination, Resting-Place

Avasāna (Destination, Resting-Place)
Śaį¹…kara often uses it to mean the truth into which the illusory appearance is finally resolved.

VIII.3, is a reply to questions by Arjuna, one of which is ā€˜what is adhy-ātma?ā€™ The term has been used in III.30, where Arjuna is told to perform actions ā€˜with mind on the selfā€™ (adhyātma-cetasā). At that time he does not know of the Self-as-Brahman, and Śaį¹…kara there interprets it as the individual self, to be thought of as a servant. Here the Lord explains the term adhyātma as sva-bhāva, individual selfhood, to be further mentioned in XVII.2. But Śaį¹…kara adds:

That self which, overseeing a body, sets out as its inner self, and truly comes to rest (avasāna) as the highest Brahman, is the svabhāva selfhood which is to be called adhy-ātman Selfhood. (Ātmānam deham adhirkį¹›tya pratyag-ātmatayā pravį¹›ttam paramārtha-Brahmāvasānam vastu svabhāva adhyātmam ucyate).

In IX.10 he says:

ā€˜I am in painā€™, ā€˜I will do thisā€™, ā€˜I will know thatā€™ ā€“ is all based on knowledge (avagati-niį¹£į¹­hā), (and) comes down to knowledge (avagaty-avasāna).

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