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The Heart of Awareness: A Translation of the Ashtavakra Gita

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Doing a review of The Heart of the Ribhu Gita tonight, it occurred to me that I should do a review of this book as well, since the two are tied in my mind as the most sublime of all Hindu writings.

I have had an old copy of the root text of this book (The Ashtavakra Gita/Samhita), translated and printed in India in 1981, that I have always dearly loved. I used to take it with me wherever I went and was reading it constantly. I recall one morning early when I was reading it on the shuttle back to the San Francisco airport from Santa Rosa where I had travelled the night before from New Mexico at somebody's insistence to attend an all-night ayahuasca ceremony, back when such things seemed important, probably the late 1980s. So, in rather an altered state still, and high on these beautiful verses, suddenly someone yells out from the back of the shuttle, "The Ashtavakra Samhita?!!!" Turns out I'm sharing the shuttle with a couple of Da Free John devotees, so we had a good old time the whole way to the airport discussing the Samhita, as well as the Tripura Rahasya, the Avadhuta Gita and other such esoteric lore. Perhaps, only in California, and perhaps, for me, only back then!

When this rendition by Thomas Byrom came out a few years later I was hesitant to even look at it, loving my old one so, and having become rather jaded by the many poorly written renditions of the Hindu and Buddhist classics that were hitting the market. But I was most pleasantly surprised: turns out I was, and remain, very deeply impressed with Mr. Byrom's fresh and modern translation. It is outstanding in every sense. So open. So light. Capturing in its tone just the sort of liberating outlook these verses are talking about. See the difference from these two approaches to the same verse:

OLD:

He who has realized that change in the form of existence and destruction is in the nature of things, easily finds repose, being unperturbed and free from pain.

NEW:

All things arise,

Suffer change,

And pass away.

This is their nature.

When you know this,

Nothing perturbs you,

Nothing hurts you.

You become still.

It is easy.

Or, see the difference in the last verse of the work, my favorite:

OLD:

Where is existence, where is non-existence; where is unity, where is duality? What need is there to say more? Nothing emanates from me.

NEW:

For I have no bounds.

I am Shiva.

Nothing arises in me,

In whom nothing is single,

Nothing is double.

Nothing is,

Nothing is not.

What more is there to say?

Granted, there is a bit of creative license at play here in Mr. Byrom's translation, since, for example, in this instance there is no mention or even suggestion of Shiva in the original verse. But such liberties on his part actually seem to enhance the work in just the right way, and I believe he captures the spirit of the work beautifully, and the spirit of the work is beyond my capacity to praise. Highly recommended. Read it.

What more is there to say?

Byrom's translation of the Ashtavakra Gita, a classic Hindu text considered to be written by an enlightened master, is amazing reading. One gets the feeling that the words themselves do not exist, but that a direct transmission from a master is occurring. An absolute must-read for anyone on the non-dual spiritual path, Hindu, Buddhist or whomever, but especially recommended to Western followers of the path of Advaita Vedanta (nondual Hinduism).

Thomas Byrom as translator has produced a literary treasure in bringing us this new version of the timeless Indian classic. This is a book of deep and abiding wisdom. The origin of the book, and its precise age are shrouded in mystery, but the clarity and depth of its message will live on many centuries more. A rare sense of total freedom graces this book from beginning to end. This is the Nondual vision and seeing in all it's utter clarity. This book comes as close to going "beyond words", as words can possibly get. This is by far my favorite translation of the several i've seen. It is offered here as great poetry while it illuminates the subtle wisdom of Advaita and the great Oneness insights available to anyone. This is a must-have volume for anyone interested in the ancient eastern wisdom and the inner insights of oneness which are always fresh and new when seen for one's self. Here are a few typical quotes from this spiritual masterpiece: "One man believes in existence, another says,'there is nothing!', rare is the man who believes in neither. He is free from confusion." and, " 'I am not the body, nor is the body mine. I am awareness itself.' When you know this...you become one, perfect and indivisible." and, "Oh how wonderful! I am the unbounded deep in whom all living things naturally arise, rush against each other playfully, and then subside."

The Ashtavakra Gita, as translated by Thomas Byrom, is a highly polished gem of wisdom. An ancient, anonymously composed song, it illuminates the deepest wisdom of the Buddhist and Advaita traditions. In poetic form, it is an inspiration to be enjoyed again and again.

I would say if you are a follower of Advaita Vedanta -- then this is an essential purchase.

I am not a Hindu, and neither am I any kind of "expert" in the field. Rather, I have devoted myslef to Theravada Buddhism for about 23 years, studying the earliest Suttas/Sutras and meditation techniques. However, I have always felt a tremendous pull towards Advaita Vedanta, and can see so many similarities with Buddhism, and indeed, the wider contemplative tradition exemplified by people like Meister Eckhardt , St Francis and some of the Islamic poets/theorists/artists, such as Rumi and Khayyam -- this book's philosophy sits perfectly , beautifully, comfortably next to those thinkers.

This book to me, also has a remarkable similarity to essential core Theravada texts such as "Sutta Nipata" ( The Saddhatissa, somewhat liberal translation that is ) and The Udana.

Lovers of Emily Dickinson, Alan Ginsberg, Kerouac and Walt Whitman will no doubt be drawn to this book too.

A remarkable, extraordinary book, and I do not say that lightly.

I find this writing an excellent resource into deeper understanding of spiritual study. With simplicity, profound teachings are conveyed to the reader. With each reading of even a sentence, new and deeper understandings unfold. The writings never become "old hat", they are ever-new in deepening one's insight and understandings.

Everyone knows of the Bhagavad Gita. It's the light of India and one of the great books of the world. Far less well known, but equally profound, is the Ashtavakra Gita, beautifully translated here by scholar-mystic Thomas Byrom. If you are trying to find out Who You Are, this is a fine place to look. Namaste!

This translation of the Ashtavakra Gita is perhaps the clearist and most eloquent description of the state of pure awareness which is itself enlightenment. The author clearly was in the state of pure awareness he describes, and was clearly a Boddhisatva in that he attempted to pass on the teachings to the rest of us. This translation is beautifully done and transmits the light like few other books have ever done. I consider this one of my very favorite books on the subject of the highest state of awareness, or awakening. You will LOVE this book!!!

Ashtaavakr Geetaa (phonetics, man, phonetics) is absolutely brilliant. It is not the usual esoteric commentary that some Hindu texts are. It is not a text. This is simply a journal, a document of a conversation. The book is not meant to be read but studied, then contemplated for years...so buy it, keep it by your bedside and read, re-read, re-read and then some...those of you who read Hindi, get a simple translation and commentary...superb!

The Ashtavakra Gita, as so gracefully transilated by Thomas Byrom into "The Heart of Awareness", presents the un-divided vision-end of Advaita Vedanta via wonderfully ever fresh, even playful, flowing poetry. I have other transilations of The Ashtravakra Gita, as well as a small library of other Vedanta works. "The Heart of Awareness" is my favorite by far -- and really points to The Heart of Awareness [Atman] in a fun and fine way.

Via The Ashtavakra Gita [in general], the central metaphysical ideals of Advaita Vedanta ["un-divided vision-end"] are encountered in an easier-to-know way than deep classics such as The Bhagavad Gita [especially non-dualist transilations], The Upanishads [in general] and the works of Swami Vivekananda [on Jnana Yoga and Raja Yoga].

The Ashtavakra Gita seems in deep harmony with other non-dualist-favoring traditions -- such as Daoist, Buddhist, Platonic, Cabalistic, Sufian and Rosicrucian ones +++