Aṣṭāvakra Saṃhitā
A Dialogue on Self-realization
Chapter 8
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Ashtavakra Gita Chapter 8 – Bondage and Liberation: The Mind, Ego and Inner Liberation
Ashtavakra Gita Chapter 8 – Commentary by Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha
This chapter of Ashtavakra Gita (also known as Ashtavakra Samhita) presents spiritual wisdom and liberation in simple yet conclusive terms through the mind and its behaviour. Sage Ashtavakra explains that bondage arises when the mind covets, grieves, grasps, rejects, rejoices or becomes angry. Liberation dawns when the mind remains free from desire, sorrow, attachment, aversion, excitement and hatred. The sincere seeker is encouraged to outlive preferences and prejudices, cultivating evenness and poise.
Bondage also exists when the mind clings to fixed views and beliefs. Liberation is found when the same mind becomes free from attachment to its own conditioning.
The Sage further points to the role of ego in bondage and liberation. When ego arises, bondage follows; when ego dissolves, liberation naturally shines forth. Identification with the body gives rise to the notion of “I” and “mine,” creating the illusion of possession.
If the “I” is not the body, then the idea of possessing or abandoning anything loses meaning. All notions of holding or renouncing are forms of delusion. The seeker is therefore guided to relinquish both possession and rejection, abiding in the freedom of the Self.
Complete List of Verses in Ashtavakra Samhita Chapter 8
Ashtavakra Samhita 8.1 Bondage Begins When the Mind Covets, Grieves and Gets Swayed by Emotions
अष्टमोऽध्याय: –
अष्टावक्र उवाच ।
तदा बन्धो यदा चित्तं किञ्चिद्वाञ्छति शोचति ।
किञ्चिन्मुञ्चति गृह्णाति किञ्चिद्धृष्यति कुप्यति ॥ ८.१ ॥
Ashtavakra Gita 8.1: English Transliteration
aṣṭamo’dhyāyaḥ –
aṣṭāvakra uvāca ।
tadā bandho yadā cittaṃ kiñcid-vāñchati śocati ।
kiñcin-muñcati gṛhṇāti kiñcidd-hṛṣyati kupyati ॥8.1॥
Ashtavakra Gita 8.1: Translation
Ashtavakra said: Then will be bondage when mind covets or grieves at anything; leaves or grabs anything; exults in or gets angry over anything.
Ashtavakra Samhita 8.2 Liberation Dawns When the Mind Neither Desires nor Grieves
तदा मुक्तिर्यदा चित्तं न वाञ्छति न शोचति ।
न मुञ्चति न गृह्णाति न हृष्यति न कुप्यति ॥ ८.२ ॥
Ashtavakra Gita 8.2: English Transliteration
tadā muktiryadā cittaṃ na vāñchati na śocati ।
na muñcati na gṛhṇāti na hṛṣyati na kupyati ॥8.2॥
Ashtavakra Gita 8.2: Translation
Then indeed is liberation when the mind desires not and grieves not. It does not leave or take, nor rejoice or hate.
Ashtavakra Samhita 8.3 Asaṅga: The gateway to liberation
तदा बन्धो यदा चित्तं सक्तं कास्वपि दृष्टिषु ।
तदा मोक्षो यदा चित्तमसक्तं सर्वदृष्टिषु ॥ ८.३ ॥
Ashtavakra Gita 8.3: English Transliteration
tadā bandho yadā cittaṃ saktaṃ kāsvapi dṛṣṭiṣu ।
tadā mokṣo yadā cittam-asaktaṃ sarva-dṛṣṭiṣu ॥8.3॥
Ashtavakra Gita 8.3: Translation
Then is bondage indeed when the mind is tied to a set of views and beliefs. And then indeed is liberation when the same mind is freed from the clinging it has to all views and leanings.
Ashtavakra Samhita 8.4 When Ego Dissolves, Liberation Dawns; When Ego Arises, Bondage Begins
यदा नाहं तदा मोक्षो यदाहं बन्धनं तदा ।
मत्वेति हेलया किञ्चिन्मा गृहाण विमुञ्च मा ॥ ८.४ ॥
Ashtavakra Gita 8.4: English Transliteration
yadā nāhaṃ tadā mokṣo yadāhaṃ bandhanaṃ tadā ।
matveti helayā kiñcin-mā gṛhāṇa vimuñca mā ॥8.4॥
Ashtavakra Gita 8.4: Translation
When the ego dissolves, then liberation dawns; when ego sprouts, bondage arises; Thinking in this manner, neither hold nor leave anything.
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