The Heart of Awareness : A Translation of the Ashtavakra Gita

Rating:
Summary: A fresh, original translation.
Review: 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).

Rating:
Summary: A fresh, original translation.
Review: 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).

Rating:
Summary: Sublime.
Review: 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?






Rating:
Summary: A sparkling gem
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: A sparkling gem
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: The Essential Book of Liberation
Review: 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. 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."