Ashtavakra (contd.)

   Chapters III and IV of Ashatavakra Samhita gives an interesting dialogue between the learned King Janaka and the Sage Ashtavakra. It is strange that Ashtavakra rebukes the King as a shudra and tells him he is not aware of  his Self. In turn, King Janaka reveals how 'even a jnyani will not understand the ways of an attained soul, a realized one. Summary of the dialogue is given below.

  A realized soul, man of 'Knowledge of the Self' is established in his Self and considers 'all that exist' is nothing but the Self. There exists only the Self and nothing besides 'IT'. This realization gives no room for any other material existence such as the body, mind, or the senses. Such a person is a videha, liberated soul. King Janaka is a videha, a liberated soul. However, Sage Ashtavakra is chiding him as a shudra, ignorant man!

  "Janaka, you are a shudra. Shudra is one who is afflicted by desire, a miserable creature full of desire- running after wealth, power, name and fame, knowing full-well that these are transitory and will not give any contentment and happiness. shokataptaah shudraah | Such an ignorant fool is a shudra. Ashtavakra asks Janaka, "How is it, a person of Knowledge, a 'knower of the Self' feel attached to material wealth and desirous of  name and fame, want to acquire more wealth?"

    Ashtavakra explains how greed causes misery and says, "Greed arises from avidya, ignorance, lack of atma-jnyan; illusion is like the silver ochre of the shell, or the silver of the pearl. Pancharatra has also defined the same. The jiva is ultimately left disillusioned for the simple fact that nothing in this transient, insentient world satisfies its greed, desire and hankerings.  

  Ashatavakra asks, "Why do you run about (run after transient things) like a miserable being even after you have realized the nature of the Self and an other? He gives some examples of how the waves that are caused by the wind appear to be real although the disappear soon; how the rope appears like a snake in the dark, etc.

  Ashtavakra chides Janaka: " Having attained the knowledge of the Self, how can you get deeply attached to sensuous life and thereby become impure? It is strange that one feels, this is mine even after realization of the Self". Ashtavakra continues, "It is strange that a man on death-bed is eager for sensual enjoyments little aware of his condition. How can a man of Knowledge be afraid of death knowing well that he is not the body?"  In fact, all dualities should end with the realization of the Self, saya Ashtavakra.

 So Janaka replies:
  "Oh, the knowledgeable person, learned Sage, the man of understanding, jnyeya, the man of knowledge (of the Self) just acts as if in a drama, plays the game of life, without being involved in the least of the 'goings on'. You cannot compare such a jnyani with the fools who are running madly after acquisitions, greedy, attached to worldly possessions, and unaware of the reality of the true nature of existence.