Derge Kangyur/Tengyur e-text, Esukhia/Barom edition — public domain (mechanical reproduction)
The Six Verses on the Spontaneously Arisen (Sahajaṣaṭka) is a concise instructional text focused on the realization of the nature of reality as intended by the Sugatas. The fragment provided indicates that the work establishes a middle way, positioning the ultimate reality as that which is definitively liberated from the dualistic extremes of permanence and nihilism. By addressing phenomena born of intrinsic nature (sahaja), the text commits the reader to a non-dual understanding of existence that transcends conceptual proliferation. The work is structured as a series of verses designed to guide the practitioner toward the direct experience of the innate state, moving from a theoretical negation of extremes toward a positive identification of the spontaneously arisen nature of mind and phenomena.
Provenance
About this text
A treatise focused on the realization of the nature of reality as intended by the Sugatas, the Sahajaṣaṭka (Tibetan: lhan cig skyes pa drug pa) emerges from the Indian tradition. It is attributed to the author Maitrīpa. The work passed into the Tibetan language through the efforts of the translators Vajrapāṇi and mtshur, and it is preserved in the Tengyur (vol. ཝི) within the General Unexcelled Yoga Tantra Works. In its brief extent of one page, the work argues for a reality definitively liberated from the dualistic extremes of permanence and nihilism. By addressing phenomena born of intrinsic nature, the text seeks to establish and remove conceptual positions, guiding the reader toward a non-dual understanding of existence. A scholar or serious reader consults this work today to examine how it positions the ultimate reality beyond conceptual proliferation and how it utilizes a series of verses to move the practitioner from the theoretical negation of extremes toward a direct experience of the innate state.
Cite thisAnuvāda, “Six Verses on the Spontaneously Arisen” (Toh 2232), machine draft, 2026.https://naxiai.com/tibetan/works/toh2232
Summary & commentary
Significance
This work is significant for its focus on the concept of sahaja, a central pillar in the development of the Mahāmudrā and Dzogchen traditions. It provides a bridge between Indian Buddhist dialectics regarding the middle way and the Tibetan emphasis on innate, spontaneous realization.
Structure
Passages
Section
Description
1
Introduction and First Verse
Contains the title in Sanskrit and Tibetan, a preliminary homage to the Vajra Holder, and the opening thesis regarding the liberation from permanence and nihilism.
Themes
The Middle Way (1)
Spontaneous Arisen (Sahaja) (1)
Summary, significance and provenance note generated by gemma4:31b from the translation and the catalogue record.
In the language of India: Sahajaṣaṭka. In the language of Tibet: Lhan cig skyes pa drug pa (The Sixfold Innate). Homage to the Vajra Holder.
That which is definitively liberated from permanence and nihilism is the reality intended by the Sugatas. Regarding phenomena born of intrinsic nature, one speaks of establishing and removing. To those who assert existence, it is said: when all are thoroughly analyzed, nothing exists. To those who assert non-existence, it is said: when thoroughly analyzed, everything exists. In whatever way superimpositions are made, in that very way yogis are born. In whatever way superimpositions are made, by that very yoga they are destroyed. Because the innate is uncontrived, the innate is therefore free from doubt. The innate is not other than bliss; bliss is the characteristic of being free from doubt. Because it is known, the self is free from doubt; the realization of the indivisible is the supreme bliss. By realizing the manifold as self-awareness, one sinks into the ocean of the innate. The yogi of the reality of mantra abides perfectly in the meaning free from doubt. Even existence is made into the guru; it is shown by the object free from doubt.
The Sixfold Innate composed by the guru Maitrīpa is complete. Translated by the guru Vajrapāṇi and Tsur.
Translation status: Not among 84000's published translations. A bibliography of the canon lists 1 English-language publication(s) on this text, e.g. Brunnhölzl, Karl, ″Six Stanzas on the Connateness″ (2007). in Straight From the Heart. Ithaca: Snow Lion, pp.139-140. — these may include a full or partial translation. (source: 84000 catalogue + registry; checked 2026-11-10).
Set in Newsreader and EB Garamond; Tibetan in Noto Serif Tibetan; Chinese in Noto Serif SC.