Everything about Ashtavakra Samhita totally explained
The
Ashtavakra Gita or the Song of
Ashtavakra, also known as
Ashtavakra Samhita is an
Advaita Vedanta scripture which documents a dialogue between the Perfect Master
Ashtavakra and
Janaka, the King of
Mithila.
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Significance
Ashtavakra Gita presents the traditional teachings of
Advaita Vedanta with a clarity and power very rarely matched. The work was known, appreciated and quoted by
Ramakrishna and his disciple
Vivekananda, as well as by
Ramana Maharshi.
Radhakrishnan refers to it with great respect.
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Overview
Ashtavakra Gita states that there's no such thing as existence or non existence, right or wrong, or moral or immoral. In the eyes of the
Ashtavakra, one's true identity can be found by simply recognizing oneself as Pure Existence and that as individuals we're the Awareness of all things.
The
Ashtavakra Gita teaches that one is already free once one realises one is free. It advocates non-action (similar to the
Daoist concept of
Wu Wei), the loss of desire and severing of worldly attachments. To free oneself from the cycle of life and death one should withdraw from all Earthly desires, worries and cares. To continue indulging in Earthly things even after one has realised their true nature is said to be foolish and time wasting. Instead it paints a picture of The Master as someone who continues to keep up their responsibilities in the world, not because they believe they've to or due to any worldy attachments, but simply that it's in their nature to do so. To avoid misinterpretation in this regard teachers traditionally recommend that
Ashtavakra Gita be pursued by only those who have already advanced on the spiritual path.
Original text
Translations
Translation at Wikisource by John Richards
Online Translation by John Richards - second edition
John Richards translation in pdf format
Further Information
Get more info on 'Ashtavakra Samhita'.
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