A treatise on Advaita Vedanta that is ascribed to the sage Astavakra.
- 206 pages Indian paperback
- 81-85301-13-1
- DescriptionDetails
- Reviews
Here is another class text used by Swami Sarvapriyananda, the Astavakra Samhita. This book is a classic text on Vedanta. It goes straight to the heart saying that our true nature is Divine.
With this book as the text, you can follow the class at this link. Please remember that books like this from ancient time were memorized, and meant to be explained by a competent teacher.
Includes original Sanskrit, text with word-for-word translation, English rendering, comments, and index.
Advaita classic
It's so good to be able to easily replace our copies of this wonderful text. Ours were brought back from India by my husband in the 1980s, and lost when our house burned down. How lovely to not have to go back to India to find this book, which has become a core part of our spiritual path! Thanks to Vedanta Press for making it available in the US. Blessings to you all!
A very fine translation
The Astavakra Sahmita is a subtle text, and it's important to use a translation made by someone who has a deep understanding of what's being said. Swami Nityaswarupananda's text seems much better in that respect than another translation I've read.
I'm not qualified to explain this book to anyone else, and no one should take my comments too seriously. But in the text Astavakra and Janaka are having a conversation, in which Janaka appears to be saying the right things, while Astavakra makes subtle and precise corrections to help center Janaka in the truth. I think it's easy to lose some of this nuance with a lesser translation, but the meaning seems to be here in Swami Nityaswarupananda's text.
Vedanta.com is a great site for those of us who speak English and live in America, because they make the best translations of the most important books available to us. And when Swami Sarvapriyananda holds up a book during a YouTube lecture, and says, this is a good translation to use, it's almost always available for purchase here.
So this is a good translation of a very important book, and a good place to buy books. It's hard to go wrong.
Astavakra Samhita
Chapter 18 and especially Chapter 15 contain explicit, easily understandable summaries of Advaita Vedanta.
Highly recommended
Swami Sarvapriyananda of the New York Vedanta Society has highly recommended this book. He says reading it is like meditation. I have found it very beneficial. Each verse is written in Sanskrit, then a word-by-word translation into English, then a complete English translation, then commentary or explanation. Upon reading this volume the student is cautioned not to abandon her or his spiritual practices.
Diamond comes from coal
This is my second purchase. Had gifted the earlier one and then felt I missed reading it. The simple way to project the vast energy is highly commendable.
Need to Read None Other!
Reading the Astavakra Samhita table of contents alone, shows the value, uniqueness, and completeness of THIS .. perhaps the MOST DIRECT and simple summary of spirituality, oneness and liberation!! EASILY, this treatise becomes a favorite .. for self and as gifts to others!
Perfect companions are Avaduta Gita -- the holy book of the Sadhu (monk) People; and the Katha Upanisad for its own playful all encompassing views.
ashtavakra
Excellent books. Bought two. HIGHLY recommend for devotees.
Nice place to do business with. I'll be back.
LOVE Swami Prabhavananda and Swami Satyamayananda
You Tube
Watch, Listen and Be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbH1chO7D-g
Astavakra Samhita
At times I have felt that this is the only text I need ever read again!
Powerful
Simply reading this little book transforms! Love it!
Astavakra Samhita
This is my all time Favorite. As the depth of understanding unfolds within so do the descriptions within each passage. This book is a gem! The transliteration allows you to feel the impact of the Sanskrit followed by the translation. It is a small book that carries the seed of enlightenment for those that can perceive.
I am beautiful
The Astavakra Samhita is the basic text to illumination. Om sakshi aham, anantadeva sankarasana sesanaga uvaca.