Ashtavakra Samhita

Chapter 1

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This is the Asthavakra Samhita chapter 1.

 

The goal is to have the Sanskrit text,

the word by word translation and

 the english translation in one document.

 

English translation by John Richards (2nd. version)

Public Domain

jhr@elidor.demon.co.uk

The complete texts are downloadable at the

Ashtavakra Samhita index page.

Here begins chapter 1.

 

1.1

Here has to be added in Sanskrit:

Janaka said:

 

 

Katham-gianam-avapnoti-katham-muktih-

bhvishyati-vairagyam-ch-katham-

prapatam-etat-bruhi-mum-prabho/1,1/. 

 

   Katham = how, gianam = interior knowledge,

 avapnoti = acquires, katham = how,

muktih = the interior release, bhvishyati = will be,

vairagyam = interior renunciation, ch- = and,

katham = how, prapatam = are acquired, etat = this,

bruhi = indicate the core of the melody brain,

mum = me, parbho = the guru or sage, lord. 

 

Janaka says:

 

How is one to acquire knowledge?

How is one to attain liberation?

And how is one to reach dispassion?

Tell me this, sir. 1.1

 

 

1.2

Here has to be added in Sanskrit:

Ashtavakra says:

 

 

Muktim-ichchhsi-chet-taat-vishyan-

vishvat-tyaj-kashma-aarjav-daya-tosh-

satyam-peeyushvat-bhaj/1,2/. 

 

 Muktim=interior release of, ichchhsi=wish,

chet=if, taat=child, vishyan = the objects,

vishvat=like of poison of, tyaj = avoid,

kashma = pardon, aarjav = sincerity, daya=kindness,

tosh = satisfaction, satyam = truth,

peeyushvat=like nectar of, bhaj = obtain.

 

Ashtavakra says:

 

If you are seeking liberation, my son,

 avoid the objects of the senses

like poison, and cultivate tolerance,

 sincerity, compassion, contentment

and truthfulness as the antidote. 1.2

 

 

1.3

 

 

Na-prithvi-na-jalam-na-agni-na-vaayu-

dhou-na-vaa-bhavaan-esham-sakshinam-

aatmanam-chidroopam-vidhi-mukatyae/1,3/. 

 

  Na = not, prithvi = elements of the ground,

Na = not, jalam = elements of water, Na = not,

agni = elements of fire, na=not, vaayu = elements of air,

 dhou = elements of space, Na = not, vaa- = or,

bhavaan = you, esham = of the last, sakshinam = pilot,

 aatmanam = soul, chidaroopam = in the interior melody brain,

vidhi = knowing, mukatyae = interior release. 

 

You do not consist of any of the elements -

earth, water, fire, air or even ether.

 To be liberated,

know yourself as consisting of consciousness,

the witness of these . 1.3

 

 

1.4

 

 

Yadi-deham-prathakkratya-chiti-vishraamya-

tishthhsi-adhunaa-ev-sukhee-shanteh:

 bandh-mukteh-bhvishyasi/1,4/. 

 

  Yadi = if, deham = the physical human body,

prathakkratya = separating,

chiti = in the interior melody brain, vishraamya = resting,

tishthhsi = remain, adunaa = now, ev = even,

sukhee = happy, shanteh = calms or tranquil or the serene,

bandh-mukteh = released of the affection,

bhvishyasi = are.

 

If only you will remain resting in consciousness,

 seeing yourself as distinct from the body,

then even now you will become happy, peaceful

and free from bonds. 1.4

 

 

1.5

 

 

Na-tuvam-vipradikeh-varneh-na-aashrmee-

na-akashgochareh: asangeh-asi-niraakaareh-

vishavsaakshi-sukhee-bhava/1,5/. 

 

  Na = not, tavam = you,

vipradikeh = Brahman or other person of higher caste,

varneh = caste, Na = not,

aasharmee = concerning any age or classify,

Na = not, akashgochareh = obvious with the eyes,

asangeh = unattached, asi = are, niraakaareh = unformed,

vishavsaakshi = observant with all in world,

sukhee = happy state of brain, bhava = be situated. 

 

You do not belong to the brahmin or any other caste,

 you are not at any stage,

nor are you anything that  the eye can see.

You are unattached and formless,

the witness of everything - so be happy. 1.5

 

 

1.6

 

 

Dharma-adharmo-sukham-dhukham-maansaani-

na-te-vibho-na-kartaa-asi-

na-bhokataa-asi-mukateh-ev-asi-sarvadhaa/1,6/. 

 

  Dharma = virtuous, adharmo = vice,

sukham = happy, dhukham = pain, maansaani = about the brain,

na = not, te = of your, vibho = pervades,

 Na = not, kartaa = doer, asi = are,

 na = not, bhokataa = enjoyer, asi = are,

mukateh = released, ev = surely, asi = are,

sarvadhaa = for always.  

 

Righteousness and unrighteousness,

pleasure and pain are purely of the mind

and are no concern of yours.

You are neither the doer nor the

reaper of the consequences,

so you are always free. 1.6

 

 

1.7

 

 

Ekah-drastae-asi-sarvsaya-mukatpraayah-

asi-sarvdaa-ayam-eva-hi-tae-

bandhah-drastaaram-pashyarasi-eatram/1,7/. 

 

  Ekah = one, darshtae = the visionary,

asi = are, sarvsaya = of all the objects,

mukatpraayah = really released, Asi = are,

sarvdaa = forever, ayam = this, eva = only,

hi- = surely, tae = of your, bandhah = affection,

drastaaram = the visionary or the seer,

pashyarsi = see, eatram = as an other.   

 

 

You are the one witness of everything,

 and are always completely free.

The cause of your bondage is

that you see the witness as something other

than this. 1.7

 

 

1.8

 

 

  Aham-karta-iti-ahman-mahakrishanh-

ahindshitah-na-aham-kartaa-iti-vishvaas-

amrit-peetva-sukhhi-bhva/1,8/. 

 

  Aham = individual aspect of the life [ I am ],

 karta = doer, iti = this,

ahman = individual aspect of the life [ I am ],

mahakrishanh = large snake, ahindshitah = bitten,

Na = not, Aham = individual aspect of life in thinking brain,

kartaa = doer, iti = such-, vishvaas = faith,

amrit = nectar of, peetva = drink of,

sukhhi = happiness, bhva = is. 

 

Since you have been bitten by the black snake,

the opinion about yourself that "I am the doer",

 drink the antidote of faith in the fact

that "I am not the doer",

 and be happy. 1.8

 

 

1.9

 

 

Ekah-vishudh-bodhah-aham-iti-nishcheyvhinaa-

parjvaalya-agyaan-gahnam-

veetshokah: suki-bhavhi/1,9/. 

 

 Ekeh = one, vishudh=pure,

bodhah =absolute aspect of life in the melody brain,

Aham = individual aspect of life in thinking brain,

iti = this, nishcheyvhinaa = carrying a thought by

faith in the thinking brain, parjvaalya = subtle burn,

 agyaan = the external knowledge of thinker brain or ignorance,

 gahnam = the forest of the external knowledge or ignorance,

 veetshokah = release of the pain,

 suki = happy state of thinking brain,

bhavvhi = are or construct.  

 

Burn down the forest of ignorance

with the fire of the understanding

that "I am the one pure awareness",

and be happy and free from distress.

1.9

 

 

1.10

 

 

Yatar-vishvam-idam-bhaati-kalpitam-

rajhuu-sarap-vat-aanandh-parmanandah-

sah-bodh-tuvam-sukkam-chara/1,10/. 

 

  Yatar = in what, vishvam = universe,

idham = this, bhaati = appears,

kaliptam = imagination in the brain of the thoughts,

 rajuu-sarap-vat = the allusion of the snake

in the image of the cord,

aanandh-parmanandah = supreme happiness,

Sah = that, bodh = the interior knowledge of true life,

tuvam = you, sukkam = happiness in the brain of the thoughts,

 chara- = live in universe.

 

That in which all this appears -

imagined like the snake in a rope,

that joy, supreme joy and awareness

is what you are, so be happy. 1.10

 

 

1.11

 

 

Mukat-abhimaanee-mukatah-hi-badhah-abhimaani-

upi-kivdanti-ih-satya-iyam-yaa-matih-saa-gatih-bhvaet/1,11/.

 

Mukatah = released of, abhimaanee = thoughts of

the egoism in brain of thinking, mukatah = released,

hi-= surely, bandhah = affected, abhimaani = thoughts of the egoism

in brain of thinking, upi = also, kivdanti = stated popular

of the common people, eh = in this world, satya = true,

iyam = this, yaa = like, matih = the flow of thoughts

in the brain of thinking, saa = thus,

gatih = movement, bhvaet = is.

 

If one thinks of oneself as free,

one is free, and if one thinks of

oneself as bound, one is bound.

Here this saying is true, "Thinking

makes it so". 1.11

 

 

1.12

 

 

Atma-sakshi-vibhuh: puran-ekah-mukatah-

kinchit-akiryah-asang-nisprah-shantah-

bharmaat-sansaarvaam-iva/1,12/.

 

Atma = soul, sakshi = witness,

vibhuh = infiltrates all through, puran = perfect,

ekah = insulated one, mukatah = released,

kinchit = the knowledge of the brain, akiryah = action less,

asang = unattached, nisprah = desire less, shantah = calms,

bharmaat = by the obvious illusion of the thoughts

in the brain of the thought,

sansaarvaam = an object of the world, eva = like.

 

Your real nature is as the one perfect,

free, and actionless consciousness,

the all-pervading witness - unattached to anything,

desireless and at peace.

It is from illusion that you seem to be

involved in samsara. 1.12

 

 

1.13

 

 

Kootastham-bodham-aduatam-atmanam-pribhavya-

aabhaasah-aham-bharmam-mukatavaa-bhaavam-

bahayam-ath-antaram/1,13/.

 

Kootastham = absolute, bodham = the interior knowledge

of the true life, aduatam = not duel, atmanam = soul,

pribhavya = meditate, aabhaasah=reflection,

Aham = egoism of subtle life, bharmam = illusion of the thoughts

in the brain of the thought, mukatavaa = release,

bhaavam = identification with the brain, bahayam = the external one,

ath = also, antaram = interior.

 

Meditate on yourself as motionless awareness,

free from any dualism,

giving up the mistaken idea

that you are just a derivative

consciousness, or anything external or internal. 1.13

 

 

1.14

 

 

Deh-abhimaan-paashaen-chiram-badhah-asi-putrak-

bodhah-aham-gyankhaggain-tat-nishkratya-sukhi-bhava/1,14/.

 

Deh = the bodily life abhimaan = arrogance in the brain

of the thought, paashaen = to comprehension,

chiram = for a long time, bandhah = distorted,

asi=are, putrak = child, bodhah = the interior knowledge

of the true life, Aham = egoism of me, gyan- = interior knowledge,

khagghain = the sword of, tat = that, nishkratya = interruption

the thoughts of the brain of the thinking, sukhi = happy, bhava = is.

 

You have long been trapped in the snare

of identification with the body.

Sever it with the knife of knowledge

that "I am awareness",

and be happy, my son. 1.14

 

 

1.15

 

 

Nihsangah-nishkiryeh-tuam-savparkashah-

niranjanah-ayam-eva-safety-tae-bandhah:

smaadhim-anutishthasi/1,15/.

 

Nihsangah = unattached, nishkiryeh = action less,

tuam = you, savparkashah = dependant on individual interior knowledge,

niranjanah = without imperfection, ayam = this,

eva = indeed, hi = surely, tae = your,

bandhah = distorted, smaadhim = principal meditation or the union,

the anutishthasi = the practices spiritual

interiors or to continue realize.

 

You are really unbound and actionless,

self-illuminating and spotless already.

The cause of your bondage is

that you are still resorting to

stilling the mind. 1.15

 

 

1.16

 

 

Tavyaa-vyaapatam-idam-vishvam-tuvyi-

protam-yathaarthah-shudh-budh-savroopah-

tuvm-maagamah:  chhudra-chittaam/1,16/.

 

Tavyaa =, vyaapatam = begin you exists, idam = this,

vishvam = universe, tuvyi = in you,

protam = of insulation through or infiltrates,

yathaarthah = in the realty, shudh = pure,

budh = interior knowledge, savroopah = aspect,

tuvm = you, maagamah = prevent the extension to,

will chhudra = with regard to thoughts of,

chittaam = the brain of the thought.

 

All of this is really filled by you

and strung out in you, for what you

consist of is pure awareness -

so don't be small minded. 1.16

 

 

1.17

 

 

Nirpekahshah-nirvikaarah-nirbharah:

sheetlashayah-agaadh-budhih-ashubdhak-

bhava-chin-Matra-vassanah/1,17/.

 

Nirpekahshah = the autonomous one,

nirvikaarah = absolutely released of the impurities

of the brain of the thought, nirbharah = free from matter

elements and the shapes of brain of support of thoughts,

sheetlashayah = calm character, agaadh = bottomless,

budhih = the interior knowledge of the true elements

in the brain of the melody, ashubdhak = unperturbed,

bhava = is, chin = the brain of the melody,

Matra = insufficient, vaasanah = desires.

 

You are unconditioned and changeless,

formless and immovable,

unfathomable awareness and unperturbable,

so hold to nothing but consciousness. 1.17

 

 

1.18

 

 

Saakaaram-antrtam-vidhi-niraakaaram-tu-

nishchlam-etat-tattv-odeshen-na-punarbhavsambhavah:/1,18/

 

Saakaaram = which has the form, antrtam = unreal,

vidhi = realize by interior knowledge,

niraakaaram = which is unformed, tu = but,

nishchlam = motionless, etat = this, tattv = element,

odeshen = the directive with the brain of the thought,

Na = not,

punarbhavsambhavah = occurrence of the possibility of rebirth.

 

Recognise that the apparent is unreal,

while the unmanifest is abiding.

Through this initiation into truth

you will escape falling into

unreality again. 1.18

 

 

1.19

 

 

Yatha-eva-aadarash-madhya-sathae-roopey-

unteh: paritah-tu-sah-tatbaa-eva-asmin-shareerey-

antah-paritah: parm-eshvarah/1,19/.

 

Yatha = like, eva = just, aadarash = mirror,

madhya- = in the medium of, of the sathae = exist with,

roopey = an image, unteh = inside, paritah- = outside,

tu = and, Sah = that, tatbaa = thus, eva = surely,

asmin = in this, shareerey = body of the life,

antah = inside, paritah = outside,

parmeshvarah = supreme soul [unformed interior God].

 

Just as a mirror exists everywhere

both within and apart from its reflected images,

so the Supreme Lord exists everywhere

within and apart from this body. 1.19

 

 

1.20

 

 

Ekaham-sarvgatam-vyom-bahi-antah-yatha-

ghtae-nityam-nirantram-barhaam-

sarva-bhoot-ganey-tathaa/1,20/.

 

Ekaham = in the way, sarvgatam = going beyond

very of infiltration or insulation through,

vyom = space, bahi- = outside, antah = inside,

yatha = like, of the ghtae = a pot, nityam = eternal,

nirantram = omnipresent, barhaam = Brahman that is unformed nature

or brain of the melody, sarva = all, bhoot = elements of nature,

ganey = in the bodies, tathaa = thus.

 

Just as one and the same all-pervading space

exists within and without a jar,

so the eternal, everlasting God

exists in the totality of things.

1.20

 

 

Here ends Ashtavakra chapter 1.

 

 

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