On Ashtavakra Gita: A world raised on a false foundation

Following is an excerpt from a samvaad (dialogue) session with Acharya Prashant.

निराधारा ग्रहव्यग्रा मूढाः संसारपोषकाः ।

एतस्यानर्थमूलस्य मूलच्छेदः कृतो बुधैः ॥ 18.३८ ॥

nirādhārā grahavyagrā mūḍhāḥ saṃsārapoṣakāḥ

etasyānarthamūlasya mūlacchedaḥ kṛto budhaiḥ || 18.38 ||

Even when living without any support and eager for achievement, the stupid are still nourishing samsara (world), while the wise have cut at the very root of its unhappiness.

~ Ashtavakra Gita, Chapter 18, Verse 38

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Questioner (Q): Sir, is the root here the ego? And if the ego is without any support, how can it still continue to nourish samsara (world)?

Acharya Prashant (AP): Yes, you could say the root is the ego. Then you are saying, “If the ego is without any support, how can it still continue to nourish samsara?” It’s a very good question — please answer it. How do you manage to live? It’s almost like asking…