The Essence of the Ashtavakra Gita Paperback – January 1, 2006

A book all aspiring politicians and world leaders would be “wise” to read before taking up their roles. How much more open to being an instrument of truth in the totality of reality would people be if they understood their deepest calling to lead comes from universal subjectivity and not the illusory center of operational volition or ego. How much more compassionate would all people be if they identified with the witness consciousness that all of us share yet can never possess. How much more peace and happiness would pervade the world if more people discover that the phenomenal world is the reflection of noumenal consciousness. And that matter (condensed energy) is like the prism through which the light of consciousness refracts into a myriad spectrum of seemingly separate forms or “objects”.

This book says it all. Begin and end here. All is said. No more needs to be said. Read and sit with this revelation.

An excellent book that reveals a step by step process on bondage and liberation from the bondage. It may require a lifetime if re-reads as it's so profound and depending on the stage of understanding it may resonate differently revealing new ideas each time. A gift so beautiful.

I completely agree with the previous reviewer. As mentioned in the preface, direct, each word is like a dynamite, blowing away walls of ignorance and false knowledge. A must read for anyone who is serious about self knowledge. An invaluable contribution by Ramesh Balsekar towards understanding this ancient text.

Wow. Words cannot do justice. For those seeking, this is one of the most precious treasures out there. This is the gem that can break the bondage from thought, ego, and misery.

I had never heard of this book by Ramesh.For some mysterious reason this book was purchased and what a gem of non-duality it is!An excellent explanation of "The Teaching", literally could not put it down, read the entire book in two days.

Absolutely great. Every word, every sentence. Clear cut and right on target. Sentences that make it hard to do anything else but to contemplate what has just been said - in silence.

A cheaply made poorly edited partial copy of the classic "A Duet of One", published in 1989 and still available.Looks like sections were just pulled from the original text, omitting very powerful commentaries and destroying the flow that made the original a near perfect teaching. In this version, Janaka's initial question is actually Ashtavakra's first response???Get the original, you will be glad you did!

Using his exceptional clarity and perfect English, Ramesh Balsekar gives us the understanding that comes from his personal exploration. This is having in your hands the essential verses, while having in your ears the words of a modern teacher.

Highly recommended for advanced seekers who have deep understanding of the no dual concepts.Ashtavakra Gita needs to read with at most caution as superficial understanding of no dual concepts may lead to more damage than help.Recommendations are to first study Advaita under a competent Non dual teacher

Read it if only if you are destined to read it and you will get to understand only if you are destined to understand and in the end if destined you will realise that there is noone to understand

This book though very ancient hits the bullseye and holds it down at that point till it sinks in. Ramesh translation and interpretation are fresh.

The heart of the seeker laid bare, read this master work.9 more words required, now 5, and now none.