Episode 204, How King Janak Attained Self-Realization | Ashtavakra Gita Wisdom on Mukti & Jeevan Mukti
How King Janak Attained Self-Realization: The Timeless Teaching of Ashtavakra
All souls are warmly welcomed in supreme awareness and inner stillness. This discourse presents a deeply transformative spiritual story—how King Janak attained Self-Realization (Atma-Gyan)—a narrative known to many, yet here revealed in a fresh, experiential way. This is not merely a story to hear, but one to feel, contemplate, and internalize.
The Spiritual Quest of King Janak
In ancient times, in the land of Mithila, there ruled a powerful and wise king named King Janak. Despite possessing immense wealth, authority, and knowledge, King Janak carried a deep inner longing—the desire to realize the truth of the Self.His royal court was always filled with scholars, sages, and philosophers. Yet, no one could fully satisfy his deepest spiritual question.
The Dream That Changed Everything
One night, King Janak had a disturbing dream. In the dream, he was hunting in a dense forest with his army. While chasing a wild boar, he became separated from his soldiers and lost in the jungle. Exhausted, hungry, and thirsty, he wandered helplessly until he found a small hut. Inside lived an old woman who had nothing to offer except a little rice. The king cooked the rice himself and just as he was about to eat, a bull ran through, covering the food with dust.At that very moment, King Janak woke up.
He was shocked. “How can I—a mighty emperor—experience such poverty and helplessness, even in a dream?” he wondered. This dream troubled him so deeply that he spent twelve long years seeking its meaning.
Two Questions, Two Thrones
King Janak announced a challenge across his kingdom:
Whoever answers my first question will receive half my kingdom.
Whoever answers my second question will receive my entire kingdom—or face death if they fail.
This ensured that only the truly wise would dare to respond.
The Arrival of Ashtavakra
To understand the rest of the story, we must know Sage Ashtavakra. Even while in his mother’s womb, Ashtavakra revealed divine wisdom. When his father was reciting scriptures incorrectly, the unborn child corrected him. Enraged, the father cursed him to be born with eight physical deformities—thus the name Ashtavakra (eight bends). Later, Ashtavakra’s father lost a debate in King Janak’s court and was imprisoned for twelve years. At the age of twelve, physically deformed but spiritually radiant, Ashtavakra arrived at King Janak’s court to free his father and answer the king’s questions.
Wisdom Beyond the Body
When Ashtavakra entered the court and sat directly on the throne reserved for the second question, the scholars laughed. Ashtavakra laughed even louder. King Janak asked, “Why are you laughing?”
Ashtavakra replied: “I was told this was a court of scholars, but all I see are people who judge by skin and body. True knowledge has nothing to do with the body.” The court fell silent. Recognizing true wisdom, King Janak bowed fully at the feet of a twelve-year-old boy.
The First Question: Dream or Reality?
King Janak narrated his dream and asked: “Was I the emperor real, or was the poor man in the dream real?”
Ashtavakra replied: “Neither was real. The dream lasted fifteen minutes. Your kingship will last a hundred years. Both are dreams. When you die, this dream of kingship will also end.” This answer shook King Janak’s soul.
The Second Question: Instant Enlightenment
King Janak then asked: “I have heard that true knowledge can be attained instantly through a true Guru. Grant me that realization now.” Ashtavakra agreed—but asked: “What will you give me in return?”
King Janak replied: “My entire kingdom.” Ashtavakra said: “That kingdom was never yours—it was given by the Divine.”
King Janak then offered: “My body.” “Your mind will still wander,” Ashtavakra replied. “Then I give you my mind as well.” At that moment, Ashtavakra commanded: “Go and sit among the shoes of the courtiers.” Without hesitation, King Janak obeyed. His ego dissolved.
The Final Realization
When King Janak fully surrendered—body, mind, wealth, identity—his mind became completely still.
Ashtavakra asked: “Where are you now?” King Janak replied: “I am.” That instant, grace descended. King Janak entered deep inner absorption and experienced the bliss of the Self. After an hour, Ashtavakra asked: “Have you attained knowledge?” King Janak replied: “Yes.” Ashtavakra returned everything to him and said: “Now rule your kingdom—and live in liberation.”
Mukti and Jeevan Mukti
Ashtavakra taught both:
Mukti – liberation after death
Jeevan Mukti – liberation while living
True liberation does not mean abandoning the world, but living within it without attachment—free from pleasure, pain, ego, and bondage.
Core Spiritual Teaching
This world is transient.
Body, mind, wealth, and status are not “mine.”
The soul alone is eternal light and truth.
When attachment ends, inner freedom begins.
Conclusion
The story of King Janak teaches us that Self-Realization is not a matter of time—but surrender. When the mind stops clinging, When ego dissolves, When identity drops— Truth reveals itself instantly. May this wisdom inspire deep contemplation, inner silence, and the courage to transcend all inner bondage. Supreme peace to all souls.
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