Aṣṭāvakra Saṃhitā
A Dialogue on Self-realization
Chapter 5
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Ashtavakra Gita Chapter 5 – Inner Dissolution Through Self-Realization
Ashtavakra Gita Chapter 5 – Commentary by Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha
In this chapter, the Sage introduces the spiritual concept of dissolution. He asks King Janaka to dissolve the idea of being a complex entity and enter inner spiritual dissolution. The seeker is guided to recognize Consciousness as pure and free from clinging. Knowing the Self to be singular, one attains dissolution through the strength of this understanding.
Though visible, the universe not being real, does not exist in one, the pure Consciousness. Grossness, externality and physicality are compared to dream-like appearances—illusory projections arising through the power of Consciousness.
The Sage further explains that the Self remains unchanged amidst all dualities. Knowing that one is the same in sukha & duhkha, desire and despair, life and death, one must enter the state of inner dissolution. Maharshi Ashtavakra points again the evenness of the mind to be the way for attaining inner dissolution.
Complete List of Verses in Ashtavakra Samhita Chapter 5
Ashtavakra Samhita 5.1 You Are Already Pure and Free
पञ्चमोऽध्याय: –
अष्टावक्र उवाच ।
न ते सङ्गोऽस्ति केनापि किं शुद्धस्त्यक्तुमिच्छसि ।
सङ्घातविलयं कुर्वन्नेवमेव लयं व्रज
pañcamo’dhyāyaḥ -aṣṭāvakra uvāca .. na te saṅgo’sti kenāpi kiṃ śuddhas-tyaktum-icchasi .
saṅghāta-vilayaṃ kurvann-evam-eva layaṃ vraja .. 5-1..
Ashtavakra said: You have no clinging to anything. Pure as you are, what are you wishing to renounce or leave? Dissolving the idea of your being a complex entity, get into the inner spiritual dissolution.
Ashtavakra Samhita 5.2 The Universe Rises from You Like Waves from the Sea
उदेति भवतो विश्वं वारिधेरिव बुद्बुद: ।
इति ज्ञात्वैकमात्मानमेवमेव लयं व्रज
udeti bhavato viśvaṃ vāridher-iva budbudaḥ .
iti jñātvaikamātmānam-evam-eva layaṃ vraja .. 5-2..
Universe emerges from you like bubble from the sea. Knowing thus the Self, ‘I’, to be singular, by the strength and majesty of this very knowledge, attain the dissolution
Ashtavakra Samhita 5.3 The World Is an Illusion Like Snake in Rope
प्रत्यक्षमप्यवस्तुत्वाद् विश्वं नास्त्यमले त्वयि ।
रज्जुसर्प इव व्यक्तमेवमेव लयं व्रज
pratyakṣam-apy-avastutvād viśvaṃ nāsty-amale tvayi .
rajju-sarpa iva vyaktam-evam-eva layaṃ vraja .. 5-3..
Though visible, the universe not being real, does not exist in you, pure Consciousness. There is no material transformation as in the bubble. The phenomenon is but appearantial, like the snake in the rope. Be firm in this and gain dissolution.
Ashtavakra Samhita 5.4 Equality in Pleasure and Pain Leads to Inner Freedom
समदु:खसुख: पूर्ण आशानैराश्ययो: सम: ।
समजीवितमृत्यु: सन्नेवमेव लयं व्रज
sama-duḥkha-sukhaḥ pūrṇa āśā-nairāśyayoḥ samaḥ .
sama-jīvita-mṛtyuḥ sann-evam-eva layaṃ vraja .. 5-4..
You are full, hence equal in sukha and duḥkha. You are the same in desire and despair too. Even in life and death you are equal. Thus enter the state of inner dissolution.
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