The Ashtavakra Gita

By Christian Karl

This spiritual scripture contains words of wisdom that can be contemplated over and over again, leading to a deeper and deeper understanding of the Self.
The Ashtavakra Gita, or the Ashtavakra Samhita as it is sometimes called, is an ancient Sanskrit text. Nothing seems to be known about the author, though tradition ascribes it to the Sage Ashtavakra - hence the name.
There is little doubt though that it is very old, probably dating back to the days of the classic Vedanta period. The Sanskrit style and the doctrine expressed would seem to warrant this assessment.
It is not really necessary to know a lot about the origin of this insightful scripture. Is it essential to know much about the origin of the refreshing trade wind of Hawaii? The importance is its enlivening and stimulating influence.
The work was known, appreciated and quoted by Ramakrishna and his disciple Vivekananda, as well as by Ramana Maharshi, while Radhakrishnan always refers to it with great respect. Apart from that, the work speaks for itself. It presents the traditional teachings of Advaita Vedanta with a clarity and power very rarely matched.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Karl
• Release date: Nov 8, 2013
• ISBN: 9781310729409

Christian Karl

I was born in Tegernsee, in the southern part of Germany. I started experimenting with my personal form of meditation/concentration when I was about 12 or 13 years old. This led me to more formalized forms of meditation in Yoga and various spiritual traditions. Ultimately, I found my guru in Bhagavan Nityananda of Ganeshpuri. Through him and his influence I attained the blissful state of spiritual liberation in the Self after many years on the spiritual path with many experiences. I gained insights into spiritual matters through my own personal experiences. In my writings I discuss spiritual subjects and attempt to clarify the underlying principles of spirituality.

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What others are saying about The Ashtavakra Gita

This is one of my favorite books. Read critics on this book some time ago and wanted to read the original book. This is one enlightening book. V.S.

I love this author, Christian. He is truly genuine, honest and sincere. Brilliantly formatted book, and best of all... Author’s additional egoless commentary about each verse adds another level of understanding. Author clearly is spiritually awake. Thank you so much for this edition. A.V.

The Ashtavakra Gita

Be content within yourself

By Jnani Christian Karl

Copyright 2013 Christian Karl

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return toSmashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This book is dedicated to the teachers who hold the key to enlightenment.

Table of Contents (ToC)

About the Ashtavakra Gita (Sage Ashtavakra’s Song)

About the Author of the Commentaries

Chapter One > The Self

Chapter Two > Awareness

Chapter Three > Wisdom

Chapter Four > The True Seeker

Chapter Five > Dissolving

Chapter Six > Knowledge

Chapter Seven > The Boundless Ocean

Chapter Eight > The Mind

Chapter Nine > Dispassion

Chapter Ten > Desire

Chapter Eleven > Stillness

Chapter Twelve > Fulfillment

Chapter Thirteen > Happiness

Chapter Fourteen > The Fool

Chapter Fifteen > The Clear Space of Awareness

Chapter Sixteen > Forget Everything

Chapter Seventeen > Beyond All

Chapter Eighteen > The Master

Chapter Nineteen > My Own Splendor

Chapter Twenty > I am Shiva

Bibliography

List of my Current Books

Contact Information

About the Ashtavakra Gita (Sage Ashtavakra’s Song)

This spiritual scripture contains words of wisdom that can be contemplated over and over again, leading to a deeper and deeper understanding of the Self.

The Ashtavakra Gita, or the Ashtavakra Samhita as it is sometimes called, is an ancient Sanskrit text. Nothing seems to be known about the author, though tradition ascribes it to the Sage Ashtavakra - hence the name.

There is little doubt though that it is very old, probably dating back to the days of the classic Vedanta period. The Sanskrit style and the doctrine expressed would seem to warrant this assessment.

It is not really necessary to know a lot about the origin of this insightful scripture. Is it essential to know much about the origin of the refreshing trade wind of Hawaii? The importance is its enlivening and stimulating influence.

The work was known, appreciated and quoted by Ramakrishna and his disciple Vivekananda, as well as by Ramana Maharshi, while Radhakrishnan always refers to it with great respect. Apart from that, the work speaks for itself. It presents the traditional teachings of Advaita Vedanta with a clarity and power very rarely matched.

The Ashtavakra Gita is presented with numbered stanzas, while my commentaries are indicated by the symbol >. I have thought long and hard about whether to keep the text in its original form where general persons are addressed as he. That form worked well in the traditional setting of India, but it does no longer fit in with modern texts. Therefore, I decided to change the masculine form to the combined masculine/feminine form of today. I will use he/she, him/herself, his/her, etc. The text is a bit more awkward to read this way, but with time, one gets used to it. The only alternative would have been to have two separate texts, one in the masculine and the other in the feminine format.

back to ToC

About the Author of the Commentaries

During over 30 years of sincere Self-Inquiry Jnani Christian Karl found the ultimate stillness and peace that have been the goal of all spiritual seekers since the beginning of time.

While meditating one day he overcame the attachment to all those aspects of his being that kept him in mental bondage. He realized his oneness with the underlying beauty and grace of awareness and this triggered an enlightening cleansing of his mind.

During this meditation he looked with complete openness at his weaknesses, his insecurities, the games he was playing with himself and others, the day dreams he had nurtured for a long time, the regrets that had festered in him for many years. The flood of impressions, thoughts and feelings he witnessed within himself was truly momentous. He barely had the strength to keep his attention on the pure and blissful awareness that seemed to act like a mirror in which his whole life was being shown to him with absolute clarity.

After what seemed like an eternity of being bombarded with stronger and stronger waves of unresolved issues that had lived in his unconscious mind, he was faced with his strongest fear and insecurity. Intensely praying to God to maintain the bond of grace that had been established and struggling to give up attachment to this weakness, he felt as if he was hanging on to pure awareness by a mere thread. This was the most excruciating experience of his life. The emotional strain was nearly overwhelming, but the connection to pure awareness did not break. Then came a sudden subsiding of the almost overwhelming turmoil in his mind and stillness began to set in. It felt as if he had crossed the highest mountain range and was descending into a valley of peace and tranquility. When he mentally looked around he could no longer see any obstacles between himself and pure awareness. They all had vanished in this cleansing process.

Following this tremendous purifying and liberating experience the state of solid contentment never left him completely. Sometimes it is deeper and sometimes barely noticeable, but it is always available to him. It is there underneath his daily activities, in his dreams, before, during and after meditations. With eyes closed and eyes opened. This stillness releases a strong love of self and all of existence.

Through this deep Self-inquiry and Self-acceptance Jnani Christian Karl found access to the inner peace, tranquility and strength people are looking for through many avenues in their lives. In his writings he emphasizes inquiry into your innermost self, the acceptance of who you are at this moment, and an appreciation of the beauty of life.

back to ToC

Chapter One > The Self

1. O Master, tell me how to find Detachment, wisdom, and freedom!

> This is the search all spiritual seekers are involved in. How can the Self be freed from the external influences so that it shines in its natural purity?

2. Child, if you wish to be free, shun the poison of the senses. Seek the nectar of truth, of love and forgiveness, simplicity and happiness.

> Involvement in the world of the senses leads to the attachment of awareness to material things. Seeking those values in life that are immaterial will lead to the natural detachment of awareness from material things.

3. Earth, fire and water, the wind and the sky [the five elements] - you are none of these. If you wish to be free, know you are the Self, the witness of all these, the heart of awareness.

> Your sense of identity lies within your own awareness. Your innermost sense of Self is found in