Ashtavakra Gita Home

The Ashtavakra Gita is an ancient Sanskrit scripture that presents a powerful conversation between the sage Ashtavakra and King Janaka on the nature of the Self, liberation, and ultimate truth. Unlike many other spiritual texts, it is remarkable for its stark simplicity, directness, and emphasis on self-realization through wisdom rather than ritual or action.

The dialogue is rooted in the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta, which teaches the oneness of existence and the non-duality of the individual soul (Atman) and the ultimate reality (Brahman). At the heart of the Ashtavakra Gita is the understanding that the Self is beyond the body, mind, and senses. It presents the idea that human suffering stems from identifying with the impermanent aspects of existence—such as the ego and the material world—rather than recognizing the eternal, unchanging nature of the Self.

Ashtavakra offers profound insights into how one can attain liberation (moksha) simply by realizing the illusory nature of the world and the mind, and by resting in the knowledge of one’s true identity as pure consciousness.