The Ashtavakra Gita – Dialogue between King Janaka and the sage Ashtavakra

The Ashtavakra Gita is a revered Hindu text that is considered one of the most profound and enlightening works of Indian philosophy. It is a dialogue between King Janaka and the sage Ashtavakra, who is said to have been born with eight deformities in his body and hence the name ‘Ashtavakra’ which means eight bends or crooks. The text is a deep exploration of the nature of reality, the self, and the path to spiritual liberation.

The Ashtavakra Gita is a non-dualistic text that emphasizes the unity of all things and the illusion of separation between the self and the universe. It argues that the only way to achieve true liberation is to recognize the underlying unity of all things and to realize one’s true nature as the infinite, eternal, and unchanging self.

The text is composed of 20 chapters, each of which contains a dialogue between King Janaka and Ashtavakra. The conversations are often poetic and lyrical, with Ashtavakra using metaphor and imagery to convey complex philosophical ideas.

The first chapter of the Ashtavakra Gita sets the tone for the rest of the text, with Ashtavakra challenging King Janaka’s beliefs about the nature of reality. Ashtavakra argues that the world is an illusion, a product of the mind’s perceptions and not a real thing in and of itself. He asserts that the true nature of reality is pure consciousness, and that the self is identical with this consciousness.

The second chapter of the Ashtavakra Gita continues this exploration of the nature of reality, with Ashtavakra arguing that the mind is the source of all suffering and illusion. He asserts that the mind is like a mirror, reflecting the world around us but ultimately creating a distorted and false image of reality. Ashtavakra suggests that the only way to transcend this illusion is to turn inward and recognize the true nature of the self.

The third chapter of the Ashtavakra Gita explores the nature of the self and the ego. Ashtavakra argues that the ego is nothing more than a product of the mind, a false construct that creates the illusion of separateness and division. He suggests that the true self is beyond the ego, beyond the mind, and beyond all concepts and constructs.

The fourth chapter of the Ashtavakra Gita explores the path to spiritual liberation. Ashtavakra argues that the only way to achieve liberation is through direct realization of the true nature of the self. He suggests that this realization can come through various spiritual practices, including meditation, self-inquiry, and surrender.

The fifth chapter of the Ashtavakra Gita explores the nature of desire and attachment. Ashtavakra argues that desire is the root of all suffering, as it creates a sense of lack and perpetuates the illusion of separation between the self and the world. He suggests that the only way to transcend desire is to recognize that the self is already whole and complete, and that there is nothing to be gained or lost in the world.

The remaining chapters of the Ashtavakra Gita continue this exploration of the nature of reality, the self, and the path to spiritual liberation. Throughout the text, Ashtavakra emphasizes the importance of direct experience and direct realization, arguing that words and concepts can only point to the truth but can never fully capture it.

The Ashtavakra Gita is a profound and challenging text that has inspired generations of spiritual seekers and philosophers. Its non-dualistic philosophy and emphasis on direct realization have influenced many schools of Indian philosophy, including Advaita Vedanta and Kashmir Shaivism.