A
Absolutely — the Aṣṭāvakra Gītā (also called Ashtavakra Samhita) is one of the most profound Advaita (non-dual) texts, a dialogue between the sage Ashtavakra and King Janaka, focusing on the realization of the Self beyond body, mind, and world.
Here’s a chapter-wise bullet gist with top quotes — concise and clear for reflection or study:
Chapter 1 – The Self
Theme: The Self is pure awareness — beyond body, senses, and mind.
-
Liberation is attained by knowing “I am pure consciousness, unattached, witnessing all.”
-
The ignorant sees himself as the doer; the wise knows he is the witness.
-
Effort and renunciation are not means — knowledge alone frees.
Top quotes:
-
“You are not the earth, water, fire, air, or space. You are the witness of these.”
-
“If you detach yourself from the body and rest in consciousness, you will at once be happy, peaceful, and free from bondage.”
Chapter 2 – Joy of Self-Realization
Theme: When Self is realized, joy and freedom arise naturally.
-
All desires vanish once Self is known as perfect and infinite.
-
The world appears only to the mind; it vanishes in Self-awareness.
Top quotes:
-
“The self is witness, all-pervading, perfect, one, free, still.”
-
“Knowing yourself as pure consciousness, why do you let yourself be bound?”
Chapter 3 – Test of Self-Knowledge
Theme: How a knower of truth lives.
-
The sage is free from attraction and aversion.
-
Pleasure and pain are equal to him.
Top quotes:
-
“He who knows he is the Self, the Lord of all, acts as he pleases and remains unattached.”
-
“A wise man does not hate the senses nor seek to control them.”
Chapter 4 – Dissolution of the Mind
Theme: Mind dissolved in Self-awareness.
-
The mind is bondage; when it ceases, liberation shines.
-
Let go of all notions of doing or not-doing.
Top quotes:
-
“When the mind ceases to think, one becomes free.”
-
“The fool desires peace by controlling the mind; the wise one knows peace is his very nature.”
Chapter 5 – The Witness
Theme: The witness consciousness is untouched by action.
-
Actions belong to the body, not to the Self.
-
The wise are witnesses to all happenings.
Top quotes:
-
“The Self is not the body, nor does it act; it is pure awareness.”
-
“As waves, foam, and bubbles are not different from water, so the universe emanating from the Self is not different from it.”
Chapter 6 – Detachment
Theme: Freedom through detachment and dispassion.
-
Seeing all as unreal, the wise one is unattached.
-
Pleasure and pain are equal; gain and loss do not affect him.
Top quotes:
-
“The wise man, having realized that the world is an illusion, gives up all desire.”
-
“He neither blames nor praises; he remains content and still.”
Chapter 7 – Nature of the Self
Theme: Self is beyond dualities.
-
The Self is beyond body, beyond senses, beyond comprehension.
-
Knowing this, one abides in peace.
Top quotes:
-
“You are pure awareness — bliss, peace, and the light of all.”
-
“Nothing affects the Self, just as nothing affects space.”
Chapter 8 – Bondage and Freedom
Theme: Bondage is ignorance; freedom is knowledge.
-
The idea of being the doer binds you.
-
Abandon the notion of “I” and be free.
Top quotes:
-
“Bondage is imagining the Self to be the doer; freedom is knowing the Self is not the doer.”
-
“O beloved, you are the witness of all things and are ever free.”
Chapter 9 – Detachment of the Wise
Theme: The liberated live without attachment or desire.
-
No craving for sense pleasures or spiritual attainment.
-
The Self-Realized one delights in his own being.
Top quotes:
-
“The liberated one neither avoids the crowd nor seeks solitude.”
-
“He whose mind is free from hope and fear enjoys supreme peace.”
Chapter 10–18 (Collective Essence)
Themes:
These chapters elaborate on:
-
Equanimity and spontaneity of the sage.
-
Renunciation not as withdrawal but as freedom from the ego.
-
The natural bliss of non-dual awareness.
Representative quotes:
-
“The wise one is neither pleased nor troubled — he shines in his own glory.”
-
“When the mind ceases to imagine, the Self shines by itself.”
-
“He who has seen the Truth makes no distinction between happiness and misery, virtue and vice.”
Summary Essence of the Text
-
You are pure consciousness, ever free, ever still.
-
The world is a play of appearances — unreal as a dream.
-
Liberation is not attained — it is recognized as what you already are.
-
The sage lives without doership, attachment, or fear — abiding in peace.
Would you like me to make a concise printable one-page version (e.g., a poetic or aphoristic summary of each chapter, 1 line each + key quote)? It’s perfect for daily contemplation or meditation use.
No comments:
Post a Comment