Ashtavakra Gita

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The Ashtavakra Gita (

Mithila.[2]

Dating

Ajata Vada developed later by Gaudapada in Mandookya Karika, this book comes from a period prior to that of Gaudapada (6th century CE) and hence prior to Shankara.[6]

Identification of Ashtavakra

Ashtavakra is probably identical to the holy sage with the same name who appears in Mahabharata, though the connection is not clearly stated in any of the texts.[7] Mukherjee identifies Janaka as the father of Sita and disciple of the sage Yajnavalkya in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad.[7][note 1] Janaka is also depicted as a king who has attained perfection in vedas.

Contents

Overview

Ashtavakra Gita is a dialogue between Ashtavakra and Janaka on the nature of Self/Atman, reality and bondage.[9] It offers a radical version of non-dualist philosophy. The Gita insists on the complete unreality of the external world and absolute oneness of existence. It does not mention any morality or duties, and therefore is seen by commentators as 'godless'. It also dismisses names and forms as unreal and a sign of ignorance.[10]

In a conversation between Janaka and Ashtavakra, pertaining to the deformity of his crooked body, Ashtavakra explains that the size of a temple is not affected by how it is shaped, and the shape of his own body does not affect himself (or Atman). The ignorant man's vision is shrouded by names and forms, but a wise man sees only himself:[11][12]

You are really unbound and action-less, self-illuminating and spotless already. The cause of your bondage is that you are still resorting to stilling the mind. (I.15)

You are unconditioned and changeless, formless and immovable, unfathomable awareness, imperturbable- such consciousness is un-clinging. (I.17)

You are not bound by anything. What does a pure person like you need to renounce? Putting the complex organism to rest, you can go to your rest. (V.1) [13]

Structure

The book comprises 20 chapters:[14]

  • I
    Saksi
    - Vision of the Self as the All-pervading Witness
  • II Ascaryam - Marvel of the Infinite Self Beyond Nature
  • III Atmadvaita - Self in All and All in the Self
  • IV Sarvamatma - Knower and the Non-knower of the Self
  • V Laya - Stages of Dissolution of Consciousness
  • VI Prakrteh Parah - Irrelevance of Dissolution of Consciousness
  • VII Santa - Tranquil and Boundless Ocean of the Self
  • VIII Moksa - Bondage and Freedom
  • IX Nirveda - Indifference
  • X Vairagya - Dispassion
  • XI Cidrupa - Self as Pure and Radiant Intelligence
  • XII Svabhava - Ascent of Contemplation
  • XIII Yathasukham - Transcendent Bliss
  • XIV Isvara - Natural Dissolution of the Mind
  • XV Tattvam - Unborn Self or Brahman
  • XVI Svasthya - Self-Abidance through Obliteration of the World
  • XVII Kaivalya - Absolute Aloneness of the Self
  • XVIII Jivanmukti - Way and Goal of Natural Samadhi
  • XIX Svamahima - Majesty of the Self
  • XX Akincanabhava - Transcendence of the Self

Appreciation

The work was known, appreciated and quoted by

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan refers to it with great respect.[15]

Ashtavakra Gita continues to inspire people. The first musical form of Ashtavakra Gita Saksi I (Chapter 1) was set in the raga Svadhya by Composer Rajan.[16]

Translations and commentaries

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Janaka receives the teaching of the supreme Self from Yajnavalkya in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad.[8]

References

  1. ^ Mukerjee 1971, p. i.
  2. ^ Mukerjee 1971, p. 184.
  3. ^ Mukerjee 1971, p. 4.
  4. ^ Byrom, Thomas (1990). The Heart of Awareness: A Translation of the Ashtavakra Gita. Shambhala Publications. Page xxiii.
  5. ^ Brockington, J. L. (1990). Foreword to The Heart of Awareness: A Translation of the Ashtavakra Gita, trans. Thomas Byrom. Shambhala Publications. Page xi.
  6. ^ Puri, Sri Swami Shantananda (2001). The Quantum Leap into the Absolute (Essence of ASHTAVAKRA GITA) (PDF). Bangalore: Parvathamma C.P. Subbaraju Setty Charitable Trust.
  7. ^ a b Mukerjee 1971, p. 1.
  8. ^ Brihadaranyaka Upanishad Chapter Four
  9. . Retrieved 20 July 2012.
  10. . Retrieved 20 July 2012.
  11. ^ Chinmayananda 1997:n.p.
  12. .
  13. ^ Astavakra Gita Archived 2006-06-12 at the Wayback Machine, translation by John Richards. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
  14. ^ Mukerjee 1971, p. iii.
  15. ^ s:Ashtavakra Gita#Translator's Notes
  16. ^ "திருவாரூர் இளைஞரின் சர்வதேச சாதனை: புகழ்பெற்ற சங்கத் தமிழ்ப் பாடல்களுக்கு சிம்பொனி இசை!". 4 February 2020.
  17. ^ Baij Nath (Lala.) (1907). The Ashtavakra Gita: being a dialogue between King Janaka and Rishi Ashtavakra on Vedanta. Office of the Vaishya Hitkari.
  18. OCLC 43272368.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link
    )
    .
  19. (accessed: Friday March 19, 2010).
  20. , pp. 42-71.
  21. ^ Partha Dash. Ashtavakra Gita Swami Chinmayananda 1997.
  22. ^ Richards, John H. (1997). Ashtavakra Gita. Source: [2] (accessed: July 10, 2021).
  23. ^ "Ashtavakra: Mahageeta (अष्‍टावक्र : महागीता) (series) - The Sannyas Wiki". www.sannyas.wiki. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  24. ^ "Ashtavakra Gita DVD Pack-Hindi". Archived from the original on 28 October 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  25. .
  26. ^ "Ashtavakra Gita". SRMD.org. Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur. Retrieved 9 January 2021.

Sources

External links

Original text

Translations

audio books