What Is the Difference Between the Bhagavad Gita and the Ashtavakra Gita?

O Learned and Devoted Servants of God,

[Shri. Prakasa Rao a retired person from Indian Navy asked:- Ashtaavakra Gita was supposed to have been taught to Raja Janaka by sage Ashtaavakra. What is the main difference between The Bhagavadgita and this?]

Swami replied:- Spiritual knowledge as the basic subject is one and the same in both the Gita and the Ashtaavakra Samhitaa. The Gita is told by God directly whereas the Samhitaa is told by God through the mouth of a great devotee, called Astaavakraa sage. In the Samhitaa, the orientation is to advise king Janaka against the fascination of worldly bonds so that king Janaka will retire to the next spiritual stage, called Vaanaprastha Aashrama. In the Gita, the orientation is also against the fascination of worldly bonds with Bhisima and Drona, which are standing as hurdles for Arjuna to fight for justice. The difference comes due to this difference in orientation whereas the subject matter is one and same, which is to concentrate on God and do God’s work.

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