Short answers, pulled from the story.
Scholars date the Ashtavakra Gita to various periods, with Radhakamal Mukerjee suggesting c. 500-400 BCE and J. L. Brockington proposing the eighth century CE or fourteenth century CE. Sri Swami Shantananda Puri argues for a period prior to the sixth century CE based on the text's content.
The Ashtavakra Gita is a dialogue between Ashtavakra and Janaka that explores the nature of the Self, reality, and bondage. Ashtavakra explains to Janaka that physical deformity does not affect the true Self.
The book comprises 15 chapters, though some sources list 20 distinct sections ranging from Saksi to Akincanabhava. The progression moves from self-vision to absolute aloneness, creating a structured path through non-dualist thought.
Lala Baij Nath was the first to translate this text into English in 1907. Subsequent translations include works by Swami Nityaswarupananda, Thomas Byrom, and John Richards published in 1997.
The text offers a radical version of non-dualist philosophy that insists on the complete unreality of the external world and absolute oneness of existence. It dismisses names and forms as unreal and does not mention any morality or duties.
The work was known and appreciated by Ramakrishna, Vivekananda, Ramana Maharshi, and Osho. Modern commentators include Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshbhai who provided 60 discourses totaling more than 116 hours.