Aṣṭāvakra Saṃhitā
A Dialogue on Self-realization
Chapter 7
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Ashtavakra Gita Chapter 7 – Janaka as the Infinite Ocean: Tolerance, Peace & Pure Consciousness
Ashtavakra Gita Chapter 7 – Commentary by Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha
In this Chapter, King Janaka describes his realization as an infinite ocean in which the universe moves like a boat driven by its own wind. Waves of the universe arise and subside naturally within this vastness, yet they cause neither addition nor reduction to the Self. Ever full and all-pervading, the Self remains undisturbed.
Janaka explains that the universe is merely an imagination appearing in the infinite ocean of Consciousness. The self-realized knower, established in this understanding, remains peaceful, formless and untouched by change.
He further declares that the Self is infinite and taintless. It is not contained in objects, nor are objects truly contained in the Self. Abiding in this knowledge, he becomes unattached and free from desire.
The world is seen as imagery, like a magician’s display. Knowing “I am Consciousness alone,” Janaka transcends all conventional distinctions such as acceptable and rejectable, good and bad, virtue and vice, heaven and hell.
Complete List of Verses in Ashtavakra Samhita Chapter 7
Ashtavakra Gita 7.1 The Universe as a Boat in the Ocean of the Self
सप्तमोऽध्याय: –
जनक उवाच ।
मय्यनन्तमहाम्भोधौ विश्वपोत इतस्तत: ।
भ्रमति स्वान्तवातेन न ममास्त्यसहिष्णुता ॥ ७.१ ॥
Ashtavakra Gita 7.1: English Transliteration
saptamo’dhyāyaḥ –
janaka uvāca ।
mayy-ananta-mahāmbhodhau viśva-pota itas-tataḥ ।
bhramati svānta-vātena na mamāsty-asahiṣṇutā ॥7.1॥
Ashtavakra Gita 7.1: Translation
Janaka said: In me, the infinite ocean, the boat of the universe swings hither and thither propelled by its own wind. I do not feel intolerant.
Ashtavakra Gita 7.2 In the Infinite Ocean, Waves Rise and Fall but I Remain Unaffected
मय्यनन्तमहाम्भोधौ जगद्वीचि: स्वभावत: ।
उदेतु वास्तमायातु न मे वृद्धिर्न च क्षति: ॥ ७.२ ॥
Ashtavakra Gita 7.2: English Transliteration
mayy-ananta-mahāmbhodhau jagad-vīciḥ svabhāvataḥ ।
udetu vāstamāyātu na me vṛddhir-na ca kṣatiḥ ॥7.2॥
Ashtavakra Gita 7.2: Translation
In me the infinite ocean, let the waves of the universe naturally emerge or set. For me there is neither increase nor reduction.
Ashtavakra Samhita 7.3 The Universe is a mere imagination in the Infinite Ocean of Self
मय्यनन्तमहाम्भोधौ विश्वं नाम विकल्पना ।
अतिशान्तो निराकार एतदेवाहमास्थित: ॥ ७.३ ॥
Ashtavakra Gita 7.3: English Transliteration
mayy-ananta-mahāmbhodhau viśvaṃ nāma vikalpanā ।
ati-śānto nirākāra etad-evāham-āsthitaḥ ॥7.3॥
Ashtavakra Gita 7.3: Translation
In me the infinite Ocean, what we call the universe is a mere imagination. So, I am extremely peaceful, form-free. I abide in this realization.
Ashtavakra Gita 7.4 The Self Is Not in Objects, Nor Are Objects in the Self
नात्मा भावेषु नो भावस्तत्रानन्ते निरञ्जने ।
इत्यसक्तोऽस्पृह: शान्त एतदेवाहमास्थित: ॥ ७.४ ॥
Ashtavakra Gita 7.4: English Transliteration
nātmā bhāveṣu no bhāvas-tatrānante nirañjane ।
ity-asakto’spṛhaḥ śānta etad-evāham-āsthitaḥ ॥7.4॥
Ashtavakra Gita 7.4: Translation
The Self is not in objects, and objects too are not in the Self, for it is infinite, taintless. Being so, it is unattached and desire-free. I am seated in such a Self.
Ashtavakra Gita 7.5 I Am Pure Consciousness Alone; the World Is a Magician's Show
अहो चिन्मात्रमेवाहमिन्द्रजालोपमं जगत् ।
अतो मम कथं कुत्र हेयोपादेयकल्पना ॥ ७.५ ॥
Ashtavakra Gita 7.5: English Transliteration
aho cin-mātram-evāham-indra-jālopamaṃ jagat ।
ato mama kathaṃ kutra heyopādeya-kalpanā ॥7.5॥
Ashtavakra Gita 7.5: Translation
Ah, I am sentience, Consciousness, alone, indeed. The phenomenal world is a magician’s production. Being so, how and where can I have ideas like the acceptable and rejectable?
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