2026-03-26 04:57:32 by ambuda-bot
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INTRODUCTION
The Ashtavakra Samhita, or Ashtavakra Gita as it
is sometimes called, is a short treatise on Advaita
Vedanta, ascribed to the great sage Ashtavakra. Very
little definite is known about Ashtavakra. His work
does not in any way enlighten us or give any clue to
his identity. It is presented as a dialogue between
him and Janaka. But is this Janaka the same as is
met with in the Ramayana of Valmiki and the
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad? Nor is it certain that
our author is the same Ashtavakra as that of the
Mahabharata. But most probably they are identical;
for they all exhibit the same profound knowledge
of Brahman.
A very interesting story is related about Ashtavakra
in chapters 132-134 of the Vana Parva of the
Mahabharata. Ashtavakra was born of Kahor and
Sujata. While Ashtavakra was still in his mother's
womb, Kahor was once reciting the Vedas sitting
beside his wife. To their great surprise, the child in
the womb suddenly cried out: "Father, even lying in
my mother's womb I have already learnt all the
Vedas through your grace. But I regret that you
often make mistakes in your recitation."
took this as a grave insult and cursed him saying
that he would be born with eight parts of his body
deformed. Accordingly in course of time the child
was born with a twisted form and was named
Ashtavakra (Eight-curved). One day Kahor went
Kahor
The Ashtavakra Samhita, or Ashtavakra Gita as it
is sometimes called, is a short treatise on Advaita
Vedanta, ascribed to the great sage Ashtavakra. Very
little definite is known about Ashtavakra. His work
does not in any way enlighten us or give any clue to
his identity. It is presented as a dialogue between
him and Janaka. But is this Janaka the same as is
met with in the Ramayana of Valmiki and the
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad? Nor is it certain that
our author is the same Ashtavakra as that of the
Mahabharata. But most probably they are identical;
for they all exhibit the same profound knowledge
of Brahman.
A very interesting story is related about Ashtavakra
in chapters 132-134 of the Vana Parva of the
Mahabharata. Ashtavakra was born of Kahor and
Sujata. While Ashtavakra was still in his mother's
womb, Kahor was once reciting the Vedas sitting
beside his wife. To their great surprise, the child in
the womb suddenly cried out: "Father, even lying in
my mother's womb I have already learnt all the
Vedas through your grace. But I regret that you
often make mistakes in your recitation."
took this as a grave insult and cursed him saying
that he would be born with eight parts of his body
deformed. Accordingly in course of time the child
was born with a twisted form and was named
Ashtavakra (Eight-curved). One day Kahor went
Kahor