11 September 1976 am in Gautam the Buddha Auditorium
[NOTE: This discourse is in the process of being edited for publication. It is for reference use only.]
JANAK ASKED:
”OH LORD, HOW DOES ONE ATTAIN WISDOM? AND HOW DOES LIBERATION HAPPEN? AND
HOW IS NONATTACHMENT ATTAINED? PLEASE TELL ME THIS.”
ASHTAVAKRA REPLIED:
”OH BELOVED, IF YOU WANT LIBERATION THEN RENOUNCE THE VISHAYAS, THE PASSIONS
AS VISHA, POISON, AND TAKE FORGIVENESS, INNOCENCE, COMPASSION, CONTENTMENT,
AND TRUTH AS NECTAR. YOU ARE NEITHER EARTH, NOR AIR, NOR FIRE, NOR WATER, NOR
ETHER. TO ATTAIN LIBERATION, KNOW YOURSELF AS THE WITNESS, CONSCIOUS OF ALL
THESE.
”IF YOU CAN SEPARATE YOURSELF FROM THE PHYSICAL BODY, AND REST IN
CONSCIOUSNESS, THEN THIS VERY MOMENT YOU WILL BE HAPPY, AT PEACE, AND FREE
OF BONDAGE.
”YOU ARE NOT A BRAHMIN OR OTHER CASTE, YOU ARE NOT IN ANY OF THE FOUR STAGES
OF LIFE, YOU ARE NOT PERCEIVED BY THE EYES OR OTHER SENSES. UNATTACHED AND
WITHOUT FORM, YOU ARE THE WITNESS OF THE WHOLE UNIVERSE. KNOW THIS AND BE
HAPPY.”OH EXPANSIVE ONE, RELIGION AND ATHEISM, HAPPINESS AND MISERY – ALL ARE OF THE
MIND, THEY ARE NOT FOR YOU. YOU ARE NOT THE DOER NOR THE ENJOYER. YOU HAVE
ALWAYS BEEN LIBERATED.”
We are embarking on a rare journey. Man has many scriptures, but none comparable to the Gita of
Ashtavakra. Before it the Vedas pale, the Upanishads speak with a weak voice. Even the Bhagavad
Gita does not have the majesty found in the Ashtavakra Samhita – it is simply unparalleled.
The most important thing is that neither society nor politics nor any other institution of human
life has had any influence on the sayings of Ashtavakra. They are such a pure expression –
transcending emotion, transcending time and death – there is nothing comparable. Perhaps this
is why Ashtavakra’s Gita, the ASHTAVAKRA SAMHITA, has not had much impact.
Krishna’s Bhagavad Gita has been very influential. The first reason is that Krishna’s Gita is a
synthesis. He is more concerned with synthesis than with truth. The desire for synthesis is so
strong that if necessary Krishna doesn’t mind sacrificing the truth a little.
Krishna’s Gita is a hodgepodge containing everything; hence it suits everyone, because there is
something in it for everyone. It is difficult to find any tradition whose voice is not found in the Gita. It is difficult to find anyone who does not take solace from the Gita. But for such people Ashtavakra’s
Gita will prove very difficult.
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