Ashtvakra Gita

The Ashtavakra Gita, authored by Manilal Chhabaram Bhatt, published by Haribhai Dalpatram Patel, is a Jain text that delves into profound philosophical and spiritual insights, presented as a dialogue between the sage Ashtavakra and King Janaka. The catalog link provided (jainqq.org/explore/008124/1) leads to a digital archive of this text, offering its original verses along with a Gujarati translation and commentary.

The text is structured into eighteen chapters, as detailed in the table of contents (Anukramanika). The journey begins with Ashtavakra Charitra, introducing the sage Ashtavakra, born with physical deformities, and his quest to defeat the philosopher Bandi and find his father. This narrative sets the stage for the spiritual discourse.

The core of the Ashtavakra Gita is a series of teachings from Ashtavakra to Janaka, who, despite being a king, is a true seeker of knowledge and liberation. The dialogues explore various facets of spiritual realization, emphasizing the nature of the self, the illusion of the material world, and the path to ultimate freedom.

Here's a summary of the key themes and chapters based on the provided text:

• Chapter 1: Vairagya Upadesh (Exhortation to Detachment)

  • King Janaka seeks knowledge on how to attain liberation and detachment. Ashtavakra advises renouncing worldly pleasures as poison and embracing virtues like forgiveness, truthfulness, and compassion.
  • He clarifies that the true self (Atman) is not the physical body or the elements (earth, water, fire, air, ether), but the pure consciousness that witnesses them.
  • The importance of differentiating the self from the body and mind is highlighted, leading to peace and freedom from bondage.

• Chapter 2: Gyanodaya ane Anand (Dawn of Knowledge and Bliss)

  • Janaka expresses his astonishment at realizing his true nature as pure consciousness after being deluded by the world.
  • The text uses analogies like waves in the ocean and threads in cloth to illustrate that the world is not separate from the Self (Brahman). The world is an appearance, an illusion like a snake seen in a rope in dim light.
  • This chapter emphasizes the non-dual nature of reality, where the Self is the sole underlying existence.

• Chapter 3: Gyanayoga (The Yoga of Knowledge)

  • This chapter explores the power of desire and the fearlessness of a knower. It discusses the insignificance of actions and their consequences for the realized soul.
  • The text delves into the thought process of a wise person, their detachment from prohibitions and injunctions, and their liberation from the cycle of karma.

• Chapter 4: Manolaya ane Bodh (Sublimation of the Mind and Enlightenment)

  • The teachings focus on the dissolution of the mind, recognizing its illusory nature and its dependence on the Self.
  • It advocates for transcending the dualities of pleasure and pain, desire and renunciation, and the concepts of bondage and liberation itself.

• Chapter 5: Trushna Tyag Nirupan (Description of the Abandonment of Thirst/Desire)

  • This chapter reiterates the importance of renouncing desires (trushna) as the root cause of suffering and the cycle of birth and death.
  • It distinguishes between virtuous desires that can lead to spiritual awakening and worldly desires that bind.

• Chapter 6: Maya Na Khelan (The Play of Maya)

  • The discussion shifts to the illusory nature of Maya (illusion) and how it creates the perception of a separate self and world.
  • It emphasizes that the Self is the underlying reality, unaffected by the transformations of Maya.

• Chapter 7: Tattva Vicharanu (Investigation of Truth)

  • This chapter delves into the subtle philosophical inquiries about the nature of reality, distinguishing between the real and the unreal.
  • It stresses the importance of constant contemplation and understanding the essence of truth.

• Chapter 8: Gyan Praptima Gunbhed (Differences in Qualities for Attaining Knowledge)

  • This chapter discusses the varying capacities and qualities of individuals in their spiritual journey and how knowledge is attained.
  • It uses analogies like a lamp illuminating objects to explain how the Self witnesses all phenomena without being affected.

• Chapter 9: Atma Sanyam (Self-Control)

  • The focus here is on the discipline of the mind and senses to achieve inner stillness and control.
  • It highlights the insignificance of external rituals when the inner state is not aligned.

• Chapter 10: Atma Sanyam (Self-Control)

  • This chapter continues the theme of self-control, emphasizing the practice of equanimity and detachment.
  • It uses the analogy of a maiden's bangles to show how solitude and simplicity lead to inner peace.

• Chapter 11: Vasana Parityag (Abandonment of Desires/Impressions)

  • The chapter elaborates on the necessity of completely shedding latent desires and impressions (vasanas) that perpetuate the cycle of karma.
  • It stresses that true liberation comes from the eradication of these inner tendencies.

• Chapter 12: Muktani Nirpekshata (The Unconcern of the Liberated)

  • This chapter describes the state of a liberated being who remains unaffected by external circumstances, duality, or even the pursuit of liberation itself.
  • Their actions are spontaneous and free from any sense of agency or attachment.

• Chapter 13: Sansar Mulnu Ucchhed (Extirpation of the Root of Samsara)

  • The teachings focus on identifying and uprooting the fundamental causes of worldly existence, which are ignorance and ego.
  • It emphasizes that true cessation of Samsara comes from the direct realization of the Self.

• Chapter 14: Nirlepata Nirupan (Description of Non-Attachment)

  • This chapter explains the state of being unaffected by the world, even while living in it.
  • It highlights the equanimity of the realized soul, who sees everything as a play of Maya.

• Chapter 15: Nirmamata Nirupan (Description of Non-Possessiveness)

  • The focus is on transcending the sense of 'mine' and 'thine' in relation to body, possessions, and even the concept of liberation.
  • The liberated state is one of pure egolessness and freedom from the sense of ownership.

• Chapter 16: Anand Swarupata (Blissful Nature)

  • This chapter describes the inherent bliss and joy of the true Self, which is realized through the cessation of all worldly desires and limitations.
  • The liberated state is characterized by unadulterated, self-existent happiness.

• Chapter 17: Atmatva Mahima (Glory of the Self)

  • The teachings emphasize the supreme glory and all-pervasiveness of the Self (Atman).
  • It reiterates that the Self is the sole reality, and all perceived diversity is an illusion.

• Chapter 18: Paramanda Rupata (Form of Supreme Bliss)

  • The final chapter culminates in the description of the ultimate state of Supreme Bliss, where the individual self merges with the universal consciousness.
  • This state is described as eternal, unchanging, and beyond all dualities and descriptions.

The Ashtavakra Gita, through its profound dialogues, guides the seeker towards self-realization, detachment, and the ultimate experience of bliss and liberation. It is a text that encourages introspection, questioning of assumptions, and a direct experience of one's true nature.