Ashtavakra Gita

 

Sage Ashtavakra

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Ashtavakra was a sage and philosopher in ancient India, known for his teachings on Advaita Vedanta philosophy. The exact circumstances of his life are not well-documented in historical records, but according to legend, he was born with eight deformities (ashta meaning eight and vakra meaning deformities) and was thus called Ashtavakra.

According to one popular legend, Ashtavakra was born to a sage named Kahoda and his wife Sujata. Kahoda was a devotee of the god Shiva and had performed severe penance to please the god. However, one day, Kahoda was disturbed by some noise while he was in deep meditation and as a result, his son Ashtavakra was born with eight deformities. Despite this, Ashtavakra was said to be extremely intelligent and wise from a young age.

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Ashtavakra is said to have attained self-realization at a young age and began teaching Advaita Vedanta philosophy. He is said to have taught the king Janaka and many other students, and his teachings were recorded in the Ashtavakra Gita, a revered Advaita text.

Ashtavakra's teachings center around the understanding that the individual self, or "jiva," is not separate from the ultimate reality, or "Brahman," and that ignorance and identification with the body and mind are the root causes of suffering. He emphasized the importance of self-knowledge and the realization of one's true nature, detachment, and the renunciation of all desires in order to attain liberation.

According to Hindu legend, Ashtavakra was invited to the court of King Janaka, the father of Sita, to participate in a debate with other scholars and philosophers. The debate was held to determine who had the best understanding of the nature of the self and ultimate reality.

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The story goes that Ashtavakra, who was still a young man at the time, was initially reluctant to participate in the debate, as he felt that his physical deformities would make him an unlikely candidate to win. However, his father, Kahoda, convinced him to go and participate in the debate, and Ashtavakra traveled to King Janaka's court.

Once there, Ashtavakra found that the other scholars and philosophers were unable to answer the king's questions about the nature of the self and ultimate reality. However, Ashtavakra, with his deep understanding of Advaita Vedanta philosophy, was able to provide clear and concise answers to the king's questions.

Impressed by Ashtavakra's wisdom, King Janaka declared him the winner of the debate, and Ashtavakra became a respected teacher and advisor to the king. It is said that through his teachings, King Janaka attained self-realization and spiritual liberation.​

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Ashtavakra Gita

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The Ashtavakra Gita, also known as the Ashtavakra Samhita, is a Hindu spiritual text that is attributed to the sage Ashtavakra. It is considered to be one of the most profound and important texts in Advaita Vedanta philosophy, which emphasizes the unity of the individual self and the ultimate reality.

The text is a dialogue between Ashtavakra and King Janaka, and it is said to have been written to help the king attain spiritual liberation. The Ashtavakra Gita covers a wide range of topics, including the nature of the self, the nature of the universe, and the nature of ultimate reality.

One of the main themes of the Ashtavakra Gita is the concept of non-dualism, which is the belief that the individual self and the ultimate reality are one and the same. The text states that the individual self, or "jiva," is not separate from the ultimate reality, or "Brahman." This is in contrast to the dualistic belief that the individual self and ultimate reality are separate entities.

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The Ashtavakra Gita also emphasizes the importance of self-knowledge and the realization of one's true nature. It states that ignorance and the identification with the body and mind are the root causes of suffering, and that true liberation can only be attained through self-knowledge. The text also stresses the importance of detachment and the renunciation of all desires in order to attain liberation.

Another important theme in the Ashtavakra Gita is the concept of "brahmanirvana," or the state of being one with Brahman. The text states that this state is the ultimate goal of spiritual practice and that it is characterized by a sense of peace, happiness, and freedom from all limitations.

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The Ashtavakra Gita also deals with the nature of the universe and the concept of "maya," which is the illusion that the world is separate from ultimate reality. The text states that the universe is a manifestation of Brahman and that all things are ultimately one.

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The Ashtavakra Gita is considered to be one of the most profound and important texts in Advaita Vedanta philosophy, and it has had a significant influence on the development of this tradition. It is highly respected for its teachings on non-dualism, self-knowledge, and the attainment of spiritual liberation.

​It's also said that Ashtavakra, after his victory in the debate, was not only honored by the king but also by many other scholars and philosophers, and that he attracted many students and disciples. He taught Advaita Vedanta philosophy for many years and his teachings were recorded in the Ashtavakra Gita, which is considered to be one of the most profound and important texts in Advaita Vedanta philosophy.

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In conclusion, the Ashtavakra Gita is a Hindu spiritual text that is highly respected for its teachings on non-dualism, self-knowledge, and the attainment of spiritual liberation. It covers a wide range of topics and emphasizes the importance of understanding the nature of the self, the universe, and ultimate reality in order to attain liberation. It is considered one of the most profound and important texts in Advaita Vedanta philosophy, and it has had a significant influence on the development of this tradition.