Astavakra Samhita

If you are new to advaita philosophy or are looking for a poetic, refreshing/uplifting message paralleling say more popular Hindu texts such as Bhagavad Gita, Astavakra Samhita is not for you.This text is the purest expression of the truth and one's personal biases and motivations can't take advantage of this text. A more popular text like the Bhagavad Gita allows for multiple commentaries and perspectives. Gandhi can make use of it for encouraging people to take action. Jnana yogis can use Bhagavad Gita for their purposes and so can proponents of Bhakti.But, Astavakra's message has little to no commentaries because it is one the purest expressions of the truth. It tells you to realize that you are free....that you are immortal, blissful here and now.Where will your mind go after reading such a message....one, you will either read it and then forget about it because the message of this text is too pure and powerful for your mind (and 99% of people's minds) to grasp, and you cannot use this message to meet your poetic, doctrinal, orthopraxy needs.two, you will psychologically/intellectually think you are free and/or continue you're life untransformed in which case this text will serve no practical purpose for you. Certainly though, you can have good understanding of advaita philosophy.three, you will be actually transformed just like Janaka was upon hearing Astavakra's text. This text is pure expression of truth which in theory is realized, as according to Astavakra, but very few can realize it the way Janaka realizes it by simply hearing it by Astavakra. Perhaps one in hundreds of millions of people can the way Janaka does.The key for most of us that fall under the "two" category is to integrate this philosophy into our meditation and spiritual practices to slowly establish "being free", that is to be established in pure consciousness. If you can or atleast try to integrate this message of this text into your life practically/existentially, there is immense potential.

I’m delighted to find this new edition of this classic. I was first introduced to Ashtavakra Samhita in May of ‘89–my copy was printed in India and has so much age on it that it’s falling apart. Love my new copy

I'm still reading this work, as someone who's been studying Vedanta, Hinduism, and Buddhism for the last few years. It's been my experience not to rush through these texts, but rather, to absorb them and apply them in daily life. And to take good notes, and perhaps check out youtube channels related to the topics.I'm a big fan of Swami Vivekananda and his approach to Vedanta. This particular text is published by Vedanta Press, and they have great teachers online, who can be found on youtube, in particular the Vedanta NY channel, which is produced by the center that Vivekananda founded in 1894.Anyone reading this book can find gems in it, but for the new student of Vedanta, it helps to have a study group or youtube videos to make things plain. Love this stuff! Namaste!

This book is fantastic. I purchased Astavakra after watching one of Swami Sarvapriyananda’s talks on it. Profound truths on every page. Sometimes you have to put the book down because the verses can send one into a meditative state.Quite possibly the best $7 I’ve ever spent. Lifetime of knowledge for 7 dollars.... wow.I do wish there was the Roman transliteration of the verses so those of us that can’t read Devanagari could learn some of the verses. But I’m sure that is online somewhere.

Doesn’t get more direct than this. Word for word best book on the subject I have seen. No fluff here’s d that is why it’s such a great book.

This is an easy and thoroughly enjoyable read, the best translation available. There is also a parallel with the Sanskrit throughout if you're the scholarly type. It is a very short read, it won't take you more than a few days to finish. When I was trying to explore more Advaita Vedanta philosophy, this text was by far the most recommended next to the Avadhuta Gita. This text will teach you more about the nature of liberation, or moksha rather.

This book was recommended by my favorite Advaita Vedanta Swami. I'm so glad I got it. It's direct but in simple language. It's a meditation just to read it. Just wonderful to read.

Must read for anyone interested in concepts of self realization, liberation and spirituality in general.

What i do is look at each verse and copy the text down on paper ommiting the bracketed words (which were added. Then i look at the text on its own, for instance Astavakra's first reply says; "O child liberation wish the objects of the senses like poison shun forgiveness sincerity kindness contentment and truth like nectar seek."Now obviously it doesn't make complete sense on your first read, but let it sink in and wonder what he's saying. Read it again and add your own commas, rearrange the words if you need to and keep playing with it, coming back to it on and off, all day maybe, with some of them i keep going back to them after a few days.Then when i'm ready and i think i understand this pigeon english, which is actually very beautiful to me i write down what i think he is saying, and in this case i wrote 4 lines;If you wish liberationthen you must shunthe objects of the sensesas if they were poisonWhen i'm finished i carefully cut around the text with scissors and roll the verses up into little scrolls which i cherrish and call them My Scrolls.I love wisdom texts of all people's but this is my favourite of all.I hope you love this book as much as i do.namaste.

Not much needs to be said about the Ashtavakra Gita for it is an absolutely amazing book. Thomas Byrom has done an English Translation titled 'The Heart of Awareness' which is eclectic & inspiring.But in this version, Swami Nityaswarupananda has done a far more accurate translation than Byrom. Also, he has added a succinct commentary to each of the verses that truly expounds into the sublime depth of each stanza.Strongly suggest that you have both books, the one by Thomas Byrom and this book and read each verse from both books for a consummate imbibement in meaning, interpretation, elevation & inspiration

This is one of the Advaita Vedanta books you must read. Not the first book you should read :)

A real gem. Says it as it is. No frills no compromise.

Original Price is Rs 50 only.