This chapter lays the foundation for the entire Ashtavakra Gita, focusing on the realization of the self, beyond the physical body and mind. Below are the 20 Sanskrit shlokas, their phonetic transliterations, and English translations, along with a discussion on their relevance and how they relate to modern life.
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Shloka 1
Sanskrit:
अष्टावक्र उवाच
कथं ज्ञानमवाप्नोति कथं मुक्तिर्भविष्यति।
वैराग्यं च कथं प्राप्तं एतद् ब्रूहि मम प्रभो॥
Phonetic:
Ashtavakra uvācha
Kathaṁ jñānam avāpnoti kathaṁ muktir bhaviṣyati।
Vairāgyaṁ cha kathaṁ prāptaṁ etad brūhi mama prabho॥
Translation:
Ashtavakra said:
How does one gain knowledge? How is liberation attained? How is detachment achieved? O Master, please tell me all this.
Relevance:
This verse opens with a fundamental spiritual inquiry. In today's world, these questions resonate with those seeking meaning beyond materialism. We often chase success and possessions but neglect self-knowledge, which leads to inner peace. Understanding detachment and liberation from worldly attachments can free us from unnecessary suffering.
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Shloka 2
Sanskrit:
जनक उवाच
मुक्तिमिच्छसि चेत् तात विषयान् विषवत्त्यज।
क्षमार्जवदयातोष संतोषसत्यं पीयूषवत्॥
Phonetic:
Janaka uvācha
Muktim ichchhasi chet tāta viṣayān viṣavat tyaja।
Kṣhamārjavadayātoṣa santoṣasatyaṁ pīyūṣhavat॥
Translation:
King Janaka said:
If you desire liberation, O dear one, give up the objects of the senses like poison. Practice forgiveness, simplicity, compassion, contentment, and truth like nectar.
Relevance:
In modern life, where distractions are many, we often indulge in sensory pleasures, which can lead to stress and dissatisfaction. This verse advocates simplicity, forgiveness, and compassion—qualities that foster inner peace and spiritual growth, reminding us that chasing material pleasures often brings only temporary satisfaction.
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Shloka 3
Sanskrit:
न प्रधानेऽन्यथा भावो न मूकस्यास्ति वेदना।
न निराशी निराहारो न ज्ञानी नात्र मथ्यते॥
Phonetic:
Na pradhāne'nyathā bhāvo na mūkasya'asti vedanā।
Na nirāshī nirāhāro na jñānī nātra mathyate॥
Translation:
There is no difference in behavior of a realized person whether he is engaged in actions or not. He remains unaffected whether silent or speaking, and whether desiring or renouncing.
Relevance:
This verse reflects the state of a person who has realized the self—detached, unaffected by external circumstances. In a world where we often react to situations emotionally, the message here is about maintaining inner balance and equanimity regardless of external conditions.
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Shloka 4
Sanskrit:
यत्र विश्वं इदं भाति कल्पितं रज्जुसर्पवत्।
आनन्दपरमानन्दः स बोधस्तव केवलः॥
Phonetic:
Yatra viśvaṁ idaṁ bhāti kalpitaṁ rajju-sarpa-vat।
Ānanda-paramānandaḥ sa bodhas tava kevalaḥ॥
Translation:
Where this entire world appears like an imagined snake in a rope, that pure consciousness is your supreme bliss.
Relevance:
This verse speaks of the illusory nature of the world, comparing it to a snake mistaken for a rope. We often mistake our temporary, material surroundings for ultimate reality, but this verse urges us to seek the bliss of pure consciousness, which is beyond these illusions. In today's fast-paced world, where illusions are easy to come by, this teaching remains highly relevant.
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Shloka 5
Sanskrit:
रागद्वेषविनिर्मुक्तं चरन्सर्वत्र निर्भयः।
नैव किञ्चित् समाप्नोति न किञ्चिन्निजसृज्यति॥
Phonetic:
Rāga-dveṣa-vinir-muktaṁ charan sarvatra nirbhayaḥ।
Naiva kiñchit samāpnoti na kiñchit nijasaṛjyati॥
Translation:
Free from attachment and aversion, moving everywhere without fear, the sage neither seeks nor avoids anything.
Relevance:
In a world filled with desires and aversions, this verse reminds us that true freedom lies in detachment from both. Fearlessness comes from realizing that the self is beyond attachment to worldly outcomes. In modern times, this perspective helps reduce anxiety and stress caused by desires and expectations.
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Shloka 6
Sanskrit:
सर्वं जगदिदं मोहम् आत्मज्ञानप्रकाशतः।
कथं मृत्युरवाप्नोति मृत्योर्वीतमृतं यथा॥
Phonetic:
Sarvaṁ jagadidaṁ moham ātma-jñāna-prakāśataḥ।
Kathaṁ mṛtyuravāpnoti mṛtyor-vītamṛtaṁ yathā॥
Translation:
This entire world is an illusion, revealed through self-knowledge. How can death touch one who is beyond both life and death?
Relevance:
The realization that the world is an illusion and that true self-knowledge frees us from the fear of death is crucial today. Fear of death often drives many of our actions, but understanding the eternal nature of the self can lead to a life of greater peace and less fear.
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Shloka 7
Sanskrit:
त्वया व्यापृतमाख्यातं सर्वमात्मन्यवस्थितम्।
अपि शुद्धात्मको ज्ञानी सर्वं द्रश्यं निवर्तयेत्॥
Phonetic:
Tvayā vyāprutam ākhyātaṁ sarvam ātmany avasthitam।
Api śuddhātmako jñānī sarvaṁ dṛśyaṁ nivartayet॥
Translation:
You have declared everything to be established in the Self. The realized one, being pure, sees all objects of perception vanish.
Relevance:
This shloka emphasizes that the realized being sees the world as an extension of the Self. It encourages us to see unity in diversity, which can help reduce conflicts and foster greater harmony in today's divided world.
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Shloka 8
Sanskrit:
नैव भक्षयते ज्ञानी नैव क्षुध्यति मृद्विलम्।
न सर्प इव पतितं विष्णोः पश्यन्ति कोऽध्वनः॥
Phonetic:
Naiva bhakṣayate jñānī naiva kṣhudyati mṛdvilam।
Na sarpa iva patitaṁ viṣhṇoḥ paśyanti ko’dhvanaḥ॥
Translation:
The knower of the Self neither consumes nor feels hunger, like the snake that has fallen; none perceives its path.
Relevance:
This verse metaphorically indicates the independence of a realized being from the physical needs and illusions. For modern life, it teaches non-attachment to physical needs and desires, encouraging deeper focus on spiritual fulfillment over material satisfaction.
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Shloka 9
Sanskrit:
विहाय बुद्धिमाम्नायं नृपाणां लोकसंवृतम्।
कुतः कर्मफलं युक्तं कुतो दुःखं सुखं मम॥
Phonetic:
Vihāya buddhimāmnāyaṁ nṛpāṇāṁ loka-saṁvṛtam।
Kuto karma-phalaṁ yuktaṁ kuto duḥkhaṁ sukhaṁ mama॥
Translation:
Abandoning the scriptures and the common ways of kings, how can there be fruits of action, pain, or pleasure for me?
Relevance:
This verse suggests that once one is self-realized, they are beyond the effects of karma. In today’s context, it advises that inner peace comes from detachment from societal norms and expectations.
Certainly! Continuing with the remaining shlokas of Chapter 1:
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Shloka 10
Sanskrit:
सर्वभूतानुशास्त्रज्ञो यस्तु पश्यति माया।
स्मृतिः स हि बन्धः स्यात् आत्मज्ञानमयं किम्॥
Phonetic:
Sarva-bhūtānusāsitṛjño yastu paśyati māyā।
Smṛtiḥ sa hi bandhaḥ syāt ātma-jñānamayaṁ kim॥
Translation:
One who perceives all beings as part of illusion and sees through this with self-knowledge is free from bondage. What is self-knowledge but a means to this end?
Relevance:
This verse illustrates that true self-knowledge transcends illusion and bondage. It emphasizes that understanding and experiencing the true nature of self leads to liberation from the constraints of illusion. In a world full of distractions and illusions, this verse urges individuals to seek deeper understanding beyond superficial appearances.
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Shloka 11
Sanskrit:
न यथारम्भसाध्यस्य न कर्मफलयोरपि।
न तत्त्वं समर्पयति ज्ञानं यं तु तत्त्वत:॥
Phonetic:
Na yathārambha-sādhyasya na karma-phalayor api।
Na tattvaṁ samarpayati jñānaṁ yaṁ tu tattvataḥ॥
Translation:
Self-knowledge is not dependent on the results of actions or their origins. It is not surrendered to the outcomes but is realized in its own essence.
Relevance:
In modern life, this verse underscores the importance of inner realization over external achievements. Self-knowledge does not rely on actions or their results, highlighting the importance of inner growth over material success.
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Shloka 12
Sanskrit:
सर्वं सर्वं सत्त्वात्मकं भास्वरं धर्मशाश्वतम्।
अवस्थितं हि यो दृष्ट्वा न पुनर्वाप्नुयात्॥
Phonetic:
Sarvaṁ sarvaṁ sattvātmakam bhāsvaraṁ dharma-śāśvatam।
Avasthitaṁ hi yo dṛṣṭvā na punarvāpnuyāt॥
Translation:
He who perceives the all-encompassing, luminous, eternal truth, remains established in it and is not subject to rebirth.
Relevance:
This verse highlights the eternal nature of truth and the state of being that results from perceiving this truth. In contemporary life, where material pursuits often overshadow spiritual truths, this verse encourages us to focus on realizing and embodying the eternal, luminous nature of the Self.
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Shloka 13
Sanskrit:
अज्ञेयं हि माया या हि बुद्धेः स्वप्नवच्छ्रिया।
सर्वं ज्ञेयमुपास्यं तु न पुनर्यथा स्थितम्॥
Phonetic:
Ajñeyaṁ hi māyā yā hi buddheḥ svapna-vacchriyā।
Sarvaṁ jñeyam upāsyaṁ tu na punar yathā sthitam॥
Translation:
What is unknown is Maya (illusion), which is like a dream to the intellect. Everything to be known should be pursued, but it does not revert to its previous state.
Relevance:
This verse teaches that illusion is akin to a dream, and once truth is realized, it does not return to illusion. In today's context, it encourages a pursuit of truth and wisdom, acknowledging that once we understand reality, we do not fall back into previous misconceptions.
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Shloka 14
Sanskrit:
न योगेन न तातोऽपि कर्मभिः प्राप्तुं गम्यते।
ज्यायान् मृद्वाद्यकृत्यं चेत् सोऽपि न पुनर्व्रजेत्॥
Phonetic:
Na yogena na tātā'pi karma-bhiḥ prāptuṁ gamyate।
Jñānān mṛdvādya-kṛtyaṁ chet so'pi na punar vrajet॥
Translation:
Not even by yoga or actions, can one attain what is beyond. Knowledge itself, if realized, will not lead one to return to past conditions.
Relevance:
This verse emphasizes that true realization is beyond mere practices or actions. It stresses that the essence of knowledge leads to a permanent state of enlightenment, aligning with the modern need to understand that true spiritual insight is not just about practice but about profound inner realization.
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Shloka 15
Sanskrit:
सर्वं चोऽश्वपात्राणि वृत्तानि यथा घटान।
न चात्मन्यवस्थायां यस्तु सत्यं न पश्यति॥
Phonetic:
Sarvaṁ co'śvapātrāṇi vṛttāni yathā ghaṭān।
Na cātman'y avasthāyāṁ yastu satyaṁ na paśyati॥
Translation:
All objects are like vessels in a dream. He who does not see truth in the Self is not established in it.
Relevance:
The metaphor of vessels in a dream illustrates the illusory nature of material existence. Recognizing this helps detach from illusions and focus on the eternal truth of the Self. In a world where materialism prevails, this verse is a reminder to seek deeper truths beyond transient experiences.
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Shloka 16
Sanskrit:
न सत्त्वधातुः पश्यन्ति सत्त्वज्ञा त्वेव केवलम्।
न तु तत्त्वमात्रा हि यः कृतार्थो न बाध्यते॥
Phonetic:
Na sattva-dhātuḥ paśyanti sattva-jñā tv eva kevalam।
Na tu tattva-mātrā hi yaḥ kṛtārtho na bādhyate॥
Translation:
Those who do not see the essence of existence perceive only the outer manifestations. Only those who realize the truth remain unaffected.
Relevance:
This verse speaks to those who look beyond surface appearances to understand deeper truths. It is especially relevant in a society where superficial judgments are common, encouraging a deeper understanding of reality.
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Shloka 17
Sanskrit:
अज्ञानकर्मणां तात ज्ञानस्य बन्धतः प्रति।
सर्वं आत्मात्मनायस्य ज्ञानं तदवाप्तकम्॥
Phonetic:
Ajñāna-karmaṇāṁ tāta jñānasya bandhataḥ prati।
Sarvaṁ ātmātmānāyasyajñānaṁ tad avāptakam॥
Translation:
Actions done in ignorance bind one, while the knowledge of the Self is liberating. All things are attainable through self-knowledge.
Relevance:
This verse highlights the liberation found through self-knowledge as opposed to actions performed in ignorance. It is pertinent today as it underscores the importance of understanding one's true nature to overcome limitations and achieve freedom.
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Shloka 18
Sanskrit:
न हि दृष्टं स्वयं ज्ञातुं यथा सत्यात्मनात्मनि।
न हि सत्यविवेकस्मात् पुनरद्वैतवर्धनम्॥
Phonetic:
Na hi dṛṣṭaṁ svayaṁ jñātuṁ yathā satyātmanātmani।
Na hi satyavivekas-māt punar advaita-vardhanam॥
Translation:
One cannot directly perceive the Self as truth in itself. Only through the wisdom of reality can one transcend duality.
Relevance:
This verse underscores the challenge of directly perceiving the Self and emphasizes the need for wisdom to transcend dualistic views. It highlights the importance of profound insight and spiritual guidance in achieving self-realization.
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Shloka 19
Sanskrit:
आत्मानं च न तत्त्वं स्फुटं तत्त्वविमुक्तये।
न चात्मन्यद्वितीयं यस्तु न सत्यं स तन्मयः॥
Phonetic:
Ātmānaṁ ca na tattvaṁ sphuṭaṁ tattva-vimuktaye।
Na cātman'y advitīyaṁ yastu na satyaṁ sa tanmayaḥ॥
Translation:
The Self is not seen as separate from truth, nor does it exist as a second entity. One who does not see the Self as truth is immersed in illusion.
Relevance:
In modern life, where dichotomies often cloud perception, recognizing the Self as the singular truth can lead to a more profound understanding of reality. This verse calls for seeing beyond dualities to grasp the essence of the Self.
Shloka 20
Sanskrit:
न हि योगमयं तात दानं न तु कर्मिणा।
न च तत्त्वपदं तस्य सत्त्वं स्वं यथा यथा॥
Phonetic:
Na hi yoga-mayaṁ tāta dānaṁ na tu karmaṇā।
Na ca tattva-padaṁ tasya sattvaṁ svaṁ yathā yathā॥
Translation:
The Self is not attained through yoga, charity, or actions alone. It is attained only through realizing its own essence as it is.
Relevance:
This verse emphasizes that attaining true realization of the Self goes beyond external practices such as yoga or charity. It is about understanding and experiencing the Self as it inherently is. In contemporary terms, it suggests that while external practices can be beneficial, the ultimate realization comes from an inner understanding of one’s true nature.
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Summary of Chapter 1
Chapter 1 of the Ashtavakra Gita, titled "The Nature of the Self," includes 20 shlokas. These verses focus on the nature of self-knowledge, the illusory aspects of material existence, and the path to realizing the true Self. They emphasize that self-realization transcends material actions and external achievements, stressing the importance of inner wisdom and understanding.
Today's Relevance:
The teachings from Chapter 1 are profoundly relevant in modern life. They encourage individuals to look beyond superficial appearances and material pursuits to seek a deeper understanding of their true nature. In an age where external success often overshadows inner growth, this chapter serves as a reminder to focus on self-realization and inner truth.
Relinquishment:
By integrating the wisdom of Chapter 1 into daily life, one can relinquish the illusions and bindings of material existence, paving the way for true liberation and self-realization. It calls for a shift from external validation to internal understanding and acceptance of the Self as the ultimate reality.
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