Ashtvakra Gita  Here is a video of my talk on Ashtvakra Gita

Ashtavakra Gita is one of the most influential books on Advait-the philosophy of non-duality. Some consider it to be as old as 700 BC while others think that it was written as recently as 14th AD. Many famous gurus like Ramana Maharishi, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, and Osho have written on it.

Ashtavakra Gita means “song(geet) of Ashtavakra.” Ashtavakra was a sage who had eight (asht) bends (vakra) in his body. The story of how he got the bends in his body is also interesting. Apparently he was correcting his fathers pronunciation when he was still in the womb of his mother. Beware, my children, for you correct my pronunciation all the time!

The book is a dialogue between King Janaka-the famous philosopher king and Ashtavakra. It is organized in 20 chapters.

Janaka asks Ashtvakra, “How can I be liberated?” He is contemplating giving up his kingdom and becoming a monk. Ashtavakra answer must be shortest path to liberation. He says, that Janaka, you are already liberated….you just do not realize yet!

He says, that the source of this feeling that I need to be “liberated” is because we think we are this body which experiences limitations and bondage. But our true self is consciousness which is always free….it has not limitations or bondage. The whole world is only observed only inside us. There is no external reality, it is all an illusion. Just like a dream. This video-an illusion, my body-an illusion, your spouse-an illusion, the fancy car you want to get-an illusion. The whole external reality is an illusion. So where is the problem of ultimate liberation. We are all free, yeah!

Janak is not a dummy. He asks, if it is all an illusion, then what is our duty. What should we do? He had his whole plan, be a good king, take care of his people, become a monk, get “liberated”. Good life on earth and better in heaven! Now he is confused.
Ashtavakra says, that once you realize that there is no external reality, that it is all an illusion, you realize that you should not be attached or averse to anything. It is like playing a video game-no duty…but someone who refuses to play the game is considered a bore….so while you are in the illusion you must but still play the game.

Getting too attached to outcome of the game–whether it is seeking material success. Or even seeking spiritual success is a burden. Seeking liberation with a strong desire (like wanting to win a video game intensely) is the bondage in itself.

So what is the answer–It is to live the life as it presents itself, without attachment to body, relationships, cars, house, other material things. But also without seeking liberation, yoga meditation retreats, etc.
Core message is you are complete as is. Do not need anything more, since there is nothing more.

It is like getting worked up that in a dream you were not able to become a noble liberated king…it is a dream after all. So what is the duty-to act as life presents itself, be spontaneous without being burdened by the past actions, future anxiety.