The Debate of Astawakra with Acharya bandhi

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The discussions within this debate are very helpful to know about knowledge and lack of knowledge. It may change the way with which we usually think.

Acharya Bandhi’s question- What is Prapancha or Delusion?

Ashtavakra’s answer - Whatever is visible and visible things are a delusion.

Ashtavakra’s question - What is it meant by visible?

Acharya Bandhi’s answer - That is visible which is the subject of the mind and senses, which I know by myself only that is visible, 

Acharya Bandhi’s question - Who knows him who has the vision or sight? Who sees the self?

Ashtavakra’s answer - To see that self, no help is needed, just as a lamp is not needed to see the sunlight. 

Ashtavakra’s question - Where from and how did this world come?

Acharya Bandhi’s answer - This world came from him only.

Acharya Bandhi’s question - Who is this creator of this world?

Ashtavakra’s answer - He is the Brahma, he is the same God, he creates this world with his illusion, the same creator is the flourisher and destroyer of this world.

Ashtavakra’s question - How does God create, nurture and destroy the world?

Acharya Bandhi’s answer - Just as the spider creates its net and moves in it and then swallows it, in the same way, God creates, nurtures and destroys this world. What is a living being?

Acharya Bandhi’s question - What is a living being?

Ashtavakra’s answer - Living being is a soul, he is a formless being, but coming under the influence of avidya or lack of knowledge, he understands himself as mind and body. So he experiences this world. 

Ashtavakra’s question - What is avidya?

Acharya Bandhi’s answer - To consider what is not a soul as a soul, to consider pointless as a disorder and to understand this world as true is avidya.

Acharya Bandhi’s question - What is vidya or knowledge?

Ashtavakra’s answer - Knowledge of the soul is the real knowledge, the knowledge that liberates us from all sorrows, sufferings, shackles, ignorance, contests, illusions and illusory fantasies is the real knowledge. The knowledge which gives clarity from the sense of duality, idea of two different entity or with the idea of ​​separation or distinction between you and me that is the knowledge. The knowledge gives a vision so that man can recognize his Brahma form. 

Ashtavakra’s question - What is the process of knowing Brahma?

Acharya Bandhi’s answer - There are two ways to know him.

The first way - To know what is not Brahma, to deny all that is not Brahma, to deny all the names, forms, qualities, virtues, and the changing things and to know the pointless!

The second way - To recognize the truth as it is, it is the existential form without which the world does not exist. it was Brahma itself and it is Brahma, therefore I am Brahma, you are Brahma, we are all Brahma, therefore the whole world is Brahma.

Ashtavakra’s question - How can Brahma be known?

Acharya Bandhi’s answer - Brahm can be known by correct social behaviour, spiritual thinking, listening attentively, contemplating daily experiences and meditating on conclusions and going into samadhi. 

Acharya Bandhi’s question - What are the symptoms of Brahman Gyan?

Ashtavakra’s answer - If someone claims that he has known Brahma, then he does not know Brahm. With the knowledge of Brahma, the ego of knowing Brahma disappears.

Acharya Bandhi’s question - Can he be known by debate?

Ashtavakra’s answer - No! But logic can be helpful. 

Ashtavakra’s question - Can he be known through prayer and devotion?

Acharya Bandhi’s answer - No! But prayer and devotion can be helpful. 

Acharya Bandhi’s question - Can he be known through yoga and meditation?

Ashtavakra - No! But yoga and meditation can be helpful!

The end of the scripture did not seem to be over, the two were overcoming each other but suddenly the debate became silent and Acharya Bandi accepted his defeat and agreed to take water samadhi but Ashtavakra forgave him. King Janaka became a disciple of Ashtavakra and Ashtavakra gave Brahma knowledge to King Janaka known as Ashtavakra Gita. This Gita is a combination of Vedas, Upanishads, Vedanta and all scriptures. This Gita is the best Gita of all the Gita. 

May these debates calm your inner quest. Good luck.