Introduction to Chapter-19

Introduction to Ashtavakra Gita Chapter 19

The Ashtavakra Gita is a dialogue between the sage Ashtavakra and the king Janaka, who is also a seeker of the Highest Truth. The dialogue covers various topics related to the nature of the Self, the world, and the Supreme Reality. The Ashtavakra Gita is considered one of the most profound and radical texts of the Advaita Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy, which asserts the non-duality of existence.

To a true student revelation of the Self comes instantaneously, during his intense listening in rapt attention. Here, Janaka has accomplished the true listening and, hence, when his Master has concluded his previous discourse (100 verses of Chapter-18), in this chapter the student rises to mould in words his Self-experience.

Communication of Joy is a way of intensifying and enlarging the bliss experienced. Janaka exclaims over the grandeur of his repose in the Self, for his Teacher's satisfaction. The fulfilment of Knowledge in direct vision and wisdom is the unique goal of true ‘listening of Vedānta’ (śravaṇa). If the previous chapter is listened to or ardently studied, with Janaka’s attention, the result would be the same in any spiritual student. In eight verses, Janaka here explains the majestic peace which is the state of the Self, the majestic grandeur of the pure Consciousness.

Chapter 19 of the Ashtavakra Gita is titled Svamahima, which means "Majesty of the Self". In this chapter, Janaka declares his firm abidance in the Glory of the Self, which he has Realized by cutting off all thoughts, positive and negative, with the sword of Knowledge. He affirms that he has nothing to do with the concepts of dharma, kama, artha, viveka, dvaita, advaita, past, present, future, space, time, atma, anatma, good, bad, dream, deep sleep, waking, turiya, fear, near, far, inner, outer, gross, subtle, death, life, world, worldly, dissolution, absorption, etc. He says that he is free from all these notions, and rests in his own True Nature, which is Pure Consciousness. He concludes by saying that he has no interest in the discussions of the three goals of life, yoga, or knowledge, as he is content in his own Self.

The Tejobindu-Upaniṣad endorses: ‘Those who have purified their minds and cultivated the alertness necessary to comprehend the Self, they alone apprehend the Pure Brahman, not others who merely prattle the dialects and quote the letter, of the śāstras.’

Some of the Vedic verses that support the theme of this chapter are:

Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 1.4.10

अहं ब्रह्मास्मि ।

I am Brahman. 

Chandogya Upanishad 3.14.1

सर्वं खल्विदं ब्रह्म ।

All this is Brahman.

Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.4.19

नेह नानास्ति किञ्चन ।

There is no diversity here whatsoever.

Chandogya Upanishad 6.2.1

एकमेवाद्वितीयं ब्रह्म ।

Brahman is one without a second.

Mandukya Upanishad 2

अयमात्मा ब्रह्म ।

This self is Brahman.

Chandogya Upanishad 6.8.7

तत्त्वमसि ।

You are that.

Nirvana Shatakam 1

अहं निर्विकल्पो निराकार रूपो विभुत्वाच्च सर्वत्र सर्वेन्द्रियाणाम् ।

न चासङ्गतं नैव मुक्तिर्न मेयः चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥

I am without any attributes, and without any form. I have neither attachment to the world, nor to liberation. I have no wishes for anything because I am everything, everywhere, every time, always in equilibrium. I am indeed, That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva, love and Pure Consciousness.