Chapter-18: An Introduction

Ashtavakragita Gita- Chapter 18

Introduction

The 18th chapter summarizes the main teachings of the previous chapters and describes the state of the Realized one who is free from all desires, attachments, and dualities. Finally, Ashtavakra hits Janak with everything he’s got, 100 verses of pure non-duality. If this doesn’t do it, nothing will.

The theme of the chapter is the Bliss of abiding in one's natural state of quiescence by renouncing everything else. Ashtavakra tells Janaka that if he wants to attain Realization, he should give up all worldly objects and pleasures, which are like poison, and cultivate virtue, truthfulness, and contentment. He should also Realize that he is neither the body nor the mind, but the Pure Consciousness that is the Witness of all phenomena. He should detach himself from the bodily impulses and rest in Consciousness, which is beyond all modifications and limitations.

Ashtavakra further defines the nature of the Self-Realized one, who has a still mind. He does not see the world as Real, nor does he see himself as separate from Brahman, the Supreme Reality. He does not have any desires, fears, doubts, or delusions. He is not affected by joy or sorrow, honor or dishonor, gain or loss, or any other pairs of opposites. He is not bound by any actions, nor does he seek any results. He is not attached to any support, nor does he depend on any means. He is spontaneous, independent, and serene. He lives in the present moment, without any concern for the past or the future. He is like a dry leaf, blown by the wind of destiny, without any resistance or attachment.

Ashtavakra also compares the Self-Realized one with the ignorant one, who is deluded by the appearance of the world and the ego. The ignorant one is constantly tormented by the fire of desire, which leads to suffering and bondage. He is restless, agitated, and unhappy. He is attached to the body and the mind, and identifies himself with them. He is entangled in the web of karma, which creates the cycle of birth and death. He is ignorant of his True Nature, which is blissful, eternal, and non-dual.

A Sage in action is the Infinite Reality visibly demonstrated. The authors of the scriptures, as they explain the behaviour of a Man of Perfection, they add copious foot- notes to explain to us how and why the Sage discovers so much of peace and happiness even amidst adverse circumstances, miserable conditions and even under grave provocations. This technique of pointing, through a Sage in action the unearthly beauties of perfection attained by him, is the modus operandi that is followed in this brilliant eighteenth chapter of the Aṣṭāvakra Gita. As in the Bhagavad-Gītā, here also we find this eighteenth chapter serves as a quick summary of all that has been so far said and serves as a thunderous peroration, richly paving the way to its final conclusions.

The Supreme Goal of Selfhood given out here in this chapter is neither discursive, nor descriptive; all along, in every verse, even at his best, it is demonstrative, inasmuch as the words of Aṣṭāvakra, while clearly painting the Sage in action, point to a divine Reality in and through the Realized in life. In short, these verses are packed with secret instructions to all students of deep meditation upon how they can proceed ahead blasting the fortress of ‘ignorance’ and bursting into the blissful Infinitude.

The magic of this chapter smuggles us into the bewitching realm of the Infinite Bliss. No student of contemplative mind can safely stand away from the exotic silence of Aṣṭāvakra's Experience Divine. The chapter, with its conclusions, cascades into the immutable and bewildering statements of deliberate and intentional contradictions and of pleasant and purposeful paradoxes! To ride with them is to end our ego and dash into the lap of Experience Supreme! 

The theme of this chapter is manifestly the life and experience of a Man of Wisdom, who is fully established in the Self. Its inescapable witchcraft is not as such in the words employed, but, it lurks somewhere between its words and between its lines. The enchantment of these verses can give us a free ride to the Spiritual Goal, if we are accredited pilgrims on the path of deep meditation.