Ashtavakra Gita in Malay
अष्टावक्र गीता
The Song of Ashtavakra
A radical dialogue on Advaita Vedanta between Sage Ashtavakra and King Janaka: one of the most direct and uncompromising expositions of Self-realization and liberation in all of Sanskrit literature.
Start ReadingAbout This Book
The Ashtavakra Gita (also known as Ashtavakra Samhita) is a classical Advaita Vedanta text, presented as a dialogue between the sage Ashtavakra and King Janaka of Mithila. Unlike texts that prescribe gradual spiritual practices, the Ashtavakra Gita takes the most direct approach possible: it declares from the very first verse that you are already the infinite, unbounded Self. The text systematically dismantles identification with the body, mind, and ego, guiding the seeker to recognize their true nature as pure consciousness (Sakshi). It is revered by seekers of non-dual wisdom across traditions.
How This Book Is Organised
The Ashtavakra Gita is structured into 20 Adhyayas (chapters), containing 298 verses in total.
Adhyayas
20 chapters, each a thematic teaching
Shlokas
Verses read one by one
Available Reading Features
This edition of Ashtavakra Gita on Vedapath includes:
Original Sanskrit verses (Devanagari)
IAST transliteration for guided reading
Word-by-word meanings
Clear, faithful translations
Advaita analysis, Sakshi-bhava insights, and philosophical commentary
Adhyayas of Ashtavakra Gita
The Ashtavakra Gita is divided into 20 Adhyayas.
Each Adhyaya explores a distinct facet of Self-knowledge and liberation.
Chapter 1: Instruction on Self-Realization
Janaka asks, Ashtavakra reveals the Self
Bab ini bermula dengan Raja Janaka mengemukakan tiga soalan asas tentang pencapaian pengetahuan, pembebasan, dan ketidakmelekatan. Resi Ashtavakra menjawab dengan huraian Advaita Vedanta yang radikal, melangkaui pendekatan bertahap yang tradisional.
Chapter 2: The Joy of Self-Realization
Janaka's ecstatic declaration of freedom
Dalam bab kedua yang amat penting ini, Raja Janaka mengalami perubahan mendalam daripada seorang pencari menjadi guru yang telah merealisasikan Diri. Setelah menghayati ajaran Resi Ashtavakra, Janaka berbicara dari sudut pandang Diri Mutlak, iaitu Atman.
Chapter 3: The Test of Self-Realization
Ashtavakra challenges Janaka's realization
Dalam Bab 3, Ashtavakra mencabar dakwaan Raja Janaka tentang pencapaian kesedaran diri dengan menonjolkan percanggahan antara pengetahuan rohani dan keterikatan duniawi.
Chapter 4: The Glory of Self-Realization
The exalted state of the knower
Dalam bab ini, Raja Janaka menghuraikan keadaan mulia seorang yang telah menyedari Diri, dengan membandingkan kedamaian batin sang bijaksana dengan sifat gelisah orang yang jahil.
Chapter 5: Dissolution of the Self
Four ways to dissolve the ego
Dalam Bab 5, Resi Ashtavakra memberikan kepada Raja Janaka ajaran yang mendalam tentang pelarutan ego dan penampakan dunia ke dalam Diri Mutlak. Sang resi mempersoalkan keperluan penolakan dunia, kerana Diri sejati sentiasa tidak terikat dan murni.
Chapter 6: The Knowledge of the Self
Atman-Jnana: the direct path
Dalam bab ini, Raja Janaka menyatakan realisasi mendalamnya tentang Diri sebagai dasar yang tidak terbatas bagi seluruh kewujudan.
Chapter 7: The Infinite Ocean of Consciousness
Boundless awareness beyond duality
Dalam Bab 7, Raja Janaka mengungkapkan keadaan kesedaran diri yang mendalam melalui kiasan lautan kesedaran yang tidak bertepi. Baginda menggambarkan dirinya sebagai laut yang luas dan tidak berubah, tempat dunia hanyalah sebuah kapal yang digerakkan oleh angin fikiran.
Chapter 8: Bondage and Liberation
Freedom through understanding
Dalam Bab 8, Resi Ashtavakra memberikan takrif yang tepat dan bersifat psikologi tentang keterikatan dan pembebasan.
Chapter 9: Dispassion (Nirveda)
The fruit of true knowledge
Dalam Bab 9, ‘Nirveda’, Ashtavakra mengajar Janaka tentang kuasa perubahan daripada kekecewaan rohani atau ketidaklekatan.
Chapter 10: Quietness
The still mind of the sage
Dalam Bab 10, Ashtavakra menekankan keperluan mutlak terhadap ketidaklekatan (Vairagya) bagi pembebasan rohani.
Chapter 11: Wisdom
Discriminating the real from the unreal
Dalam Bab 11, Ashtavakra menghuraikan keyakinan-keyakinan khusus (nishchaya) yang membawa kepada pembebasan dan kedamaian batin. Beliau mengajar Janaka bahawa penderitaan berakar pada kebimbangan dan rasa palsu bahawa “aku ialah pelaku”.
Chapter 12: Contemplation of the Self
Abiding in the witness awareness
Dalam bab ini, Raja Janaka menggambarkan kepada Resi Ashtavakra keadaan batinnya yang hening sepenuhnya. Beliau menerangkan perkembangannya daripada ketidakaktifan jasmani kepada keheningan ucapan, dan akhirnya kepada terhentinya fikiran.
Chapter 13: The Bliss of Self-Realization
Yathasukham: happiness as one pleases
Dalam bab ini, Raja Janaka mengungkapkan keadaan kewujudan yang mudah dan tanpa paksaan serta kepuasan tertinggi.
Chapter 14: The Natural State of Realization
Sahaja: the effortless state
Dalam Bab 14, Raja Janaka mengungkapkan keadaan batin yang mendalam bagi seorang yang telah bebas.
Chapter 15: Instruction on the Truth
Tattva Upadesha: pointing to reality
Dalam Bab 15, Resi Ashtavakra menyampaikan pengajaran yang kuat dan langsung tentang hakikat Kebenaran kepada Raja Janaka.
Chapter 16: Special Instruction on Self-Knowledge
Rare and potent teachings
Dalam bab ini, Resi Ashtavakra memberikan pandangan psikologi dan rohani yang mendalam kepada Raja Janaka. Beliau menegaskan bahawa kedamaian sejati, iaitu svasthyam, tidak mungkin dicapai hanya melalui pengumpulan ilmu intelektual atau kegiatan luaran.
Chapter 17: The True Knower
The nature of the Tattvavit
Dalam Bab 17, Ashtavakra menggambarkan keadaan Jivanmukta, iaitu jiwa yang telah terbebas, sebagai keadaan yang luhur dan amat jarang.
Chapter 18: Peace
The state of the liberated sage
Dalam bab yang luas ini, Ashtavakra menggambarkan keadaan luhur Jivanmukta—insan yang terbebas ketika masih hidup. Beliau menegaskan bahawa kebahagiaan sejati mustahil tanpa pelepasan menyeluruh terhadap ego dan dunia, yang tersingkap sebagai sekadar unjuran minda.
Chapter 19: The Repose in the Self
Resting in pure being
Dalam bab ini, Raja Janaka menyatakan keadaan pembebasan mutlak dan realisasi Diri. Beliau bermula dengan mengatakan bahawa beliau telah mencabut “duri-duri keraguan” daripada hatinya dengan “penyepit pengetahuan”.
Chapter 20: The State of Absolute Consciousness
Kaivalya: absolute aloneness
Dalam bab terakhir ini, Raja Janaka menggambarkan keadaan realisasi tertinggi, ketika segala dualiti dan kerangka konsep larut ke dalam Diri.
Key episodes
Frequently Asked Questions
Bondage is caused by the egoistic delusion of being a 'doer' and the false identification with the physical body and mind, rather than recognizing oneself as the pure witness.
He describes the Self as the all-pervading consciousness in which the universe is strung, similar to how space exists both inside and outside a pot, or how a reflection exists within a mirror.
This is not an expression of ego, but a recognition of his true nature as the Supreme Brahman. He offers salutations to the infinite Consciousness that remains unchanged even when the universe is destroyed.
It illustrates that the universe and individual beings (waves) are not separate from the Self (the ocean). They arise from, exist in, and dissolve back into the same substance without ever being truly different from it.
Janaka realizes that his true bondage was not external circumstances, but the internal attachment to life and the mistaken identification with the individual soul (Jiva) instead of pure Consciousness.
He is surprised that a seeker who claims to understand the infinite, non-dual Self still experiences greed, lust, or fear, which are products of ignorance.
A wise person remains undisturbed by praise or criticism because they view their body as a separate entity and see the world as a mere illusion.
The universe is described as manifesting within the Self like waves in the ocean, implying that there is no fundamental difference between the witness and the witnessed.
According to Verse 3, the Knower of the Self is internally untouched by virtue or sin, just as the vast space (akasha) remains unaffected by the presence of smoke.
Fear arises from the perception of duality or 'the other'. By realizing the non-dual Self as the Lord of the universe, the sage sees nothing separate from themselves, thus eliminating all fear.
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