Ashtavakra Gita

By Munindra Misra

Ashtavakra Gita (Song) in simple English rhyme is a dialogue between Ashtavakra and Janak wherein Ashtavakra answers questions regarding the very nature of the soul, bondage, and the reality. It shows a radical version of non-dualistic philosophy and Show cases for the whole humanity.

Gita and Ramayana are perhaps the sum total of the fabrics of Hinduism (a way of life).

The Gita (song) are teaching by Divine or ancient revered holy rishis teaching both metaphysics and practice of disciplined action. They proclaims that life is worth living, teaches how it should be lived and the path to self-realisation. They are the cream of the Upanishads, which themselves are the core of the Four Vedas.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Munindra Misra
• Release date: May 13, 2022

Book preview

ASHTAVAKRA GITA

© Munindra Misra 2022 May

Dedicated with deep love to:

My Grand-daughter – Jigi

Overview

Ashtavakra Gita dialogue between Ashtavakra, Janak be,

On the very nature of the soul, bondage, and the reality;

1

It offers a radical version of non-dualistic philosophy,

Show casing it all very clearly for the whole humanity.

2

Gita insists on complete unreality of external world fully,

Its absolute oneness of existence – no division in reality;

3

It states not morality, duties -seen as ‘godless’ clearly,

It dismisses names, forms as unreal – ignorance only,

4

In a talk between Janak and Ashtavakra pointedly,

Pertaining to deformity of Ashtavakra’s crooked body,

5

Ashtavakra says Temple size not affected by shaped be,

So the shape of his body does not affect himself surely.

6

The ignorant vision shrouded by names and forms be,

But the true wise person sees only himself unfailingly;

7

You are free, still, self-luminous and stainless undoubtedly,

But keep stilling mind by meditation – this your bondage be.

8

You unconditioned, changeless, calm, formless, wise be,

Bottomless awareness, serene -consciousness free be.

9

You are not bound with anything -you are pure but truly,

What to renounce? Dissolve unreal -one with Self be.

10

1: Saksi -Self: the All-pervading Witness

Ashtavakra explains to Janak characteristic of self clearly,

Instructs on knowledge of self that natural, ever-existent be.

2: Ascaryam -Infinite Self Beyond Nature

An amazed Janak relates joy of his own experiences fully,

On realizing the subtleties of the principles explained clearly.

3: Atmadvaita -Self in All, All in Self

Ashtavakra deprecates attachments within and without truly,

And then enunciates the status of the realized completely.

4: Sarvamatma -Self: Knower & Non-knower

Janak dwells at length on glory of knowledge clearly,

The true state of self-realization of self very lucidly.

5: Laya -Dissolution of Consciousness Stages

Ashtavakra instructs Janak: world and its objects be,

And the experiences in but imagines and unreal clearly;

And exhorts him therefore to strive, attain equanimity

Of perception and get dissolved in the self completely.

6: Prakrteh Parah -Dissolution of Consciousness: Irrelevance

The Self is the basis of limited world of insentience surely,

Question of rejecting, accepting, making it, arises not truly.

7: Santa -Self: Tranquil & Boundless Ocean

Knower of self, poised in grand, limitless experience firmly,

Sees one, so world appearances create no impact clearly;

It either favorable or unfavorable in that person does be,

Nor generates attraction or repulsion towards them surely.

8: Moksa -Bondage & Freedom

Ashtavakra dwells on nature of bondage, release truly,

‘Ego-less’ without ‘I’, without accepting or rejecting be.

9: Nirveda -Indifference

knowledge dawns when pairs of opposites renounced be,

Destruction of desires, thus of world -that true state be.

10: Vairagya -Dispassion

Shun laziness, wealth, enjoyment – all unral, transitory

Thus, free of desire so action stilled to rest in bliss only.

11: Cidrupa -Self: Pure, Radiant Intelligence

The way of the world in its entirety, ‘dharma’ of nature be,

Grief caused by thoughts -if anchored in Self, has bliss