Ashtavakra Gita 14.3 -

King Janaka presents a different line of thinking. In that, he also brings the concept of God, stating that the inmost Self is itself the supreme Lord. In the first chapter itself, Sage Ashtavakra had pointed that the Self is the witness of earth, water, air, fire and space, the pañca-bhūtas. Entire world-objects being inert and illusory, what stain or scar can they cause to the sentient Self?

That God is but a synonym for the spiritual Self is an important and wholesome statement. Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, the last word on devotion, makes it clear that non-dual knowledge is itself spoken of as Self, Brahman and God (1.2.11 ). Once this truth is known, the whole spiritual pursuit becomes far easier.

Self we already are. If it is at once the Ultimate Reality, Brahman as well as God, the true seeker should outlive all plural concepts and conditionings, including bondage and liberation. What a lofty state will it be when the mind transcends even the need to be liberated! Should the witness need liberation from the witnessed? Krishna speaks in Gita about resoluteness of intelligence (2.41 ). Janaka also emphasizes resoluteness of understanding.

Liberation is an outcome our intelligence achieves by introspection and contemplation. Meditation is but an aid in the process. The whole spiritual effort is mento-intellectual. And it is to gain sufficient clarity, stability and fullness for abiding in the Self.