The Asta Vakra gives us a clear presentation of the cardinal principles of Vedanta.

The Asta Vakra unfolds the ultimate truth without recourse to any philosophical explanations. It is very clear in its assertion that for direct realization of the truth the aspirant must undergo a course of Sadhna under guidance of a guru who has himself gone through the rigour's in realising the Truth. The Asta Vakra Samhita bears close affinities to the Bhagavad Gita and seems to be belonging to the same age.

In fact it is said that 18 Gitas were born after the Bhagavad Gita, this is one of the better known ones. The Bhagavad Gita is a sermon, the Astvakra is a dialogue between two self-realised souls.

The Asta Vakra Samhita or Astavakra Gita is a short work on advaita Vedanta by sage Astavakra. It consists of a dialogue between Astavakra and his disciple Janaka.

Both Astavakra and Janaka are mentioned very briefly in the Mahabharata. Astavakra was born with eight parts of his body deformed, and therefore was named Astavakra which means eight distortions. Astvakra as a boy of twelve defeated a leading scholar in a debate on the Vedas. This was in the court of king Janaka.

Highly impressed by the young boy, king Janaka engaged him in a series of questions and answer. These questions and their answers are what the Astvakra Samhita is all about.



Self-Realisation-How : Self-Realisation-The Joy ; What Is Self-Realization : Glorification Of Self Realization : Ways of Dissolution : The Highest State : Detachement : Calm : Remaining in the Self : Happiness :Tranquility : Knowledge of Self : Forgetting All : The True knower : Freedom in Totality