Review by Booklist Review
"For he knows he is the Self / One without two / The Lord of all creation." Regardless of whether you know the Mahabharata, its most famous part, the Bhagavad Gita, some of the Upanishads, or even the Puranas, this translation of the freestanding gita or song of the guru Ashtavakra, quoted above, will fire the imagination. Byrom's excellent introduction and end notes illuminate a path to pure awareness that to some might not be at all familiar, although to others it will imediately suggest Zen Buddhism. J. L. Brockington's foreword furnishes succinct and at times complex background to this less well known Hindu scripture and gives a framework for the philosophical system of Advaita Vedanta upon which it is based. The clear and uncluttered English shows with what great care and affection Byrom has made his translation, the reading of which could easily become a daily inspirational accompaniment. Notes. ~--Jerry Alber
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
This is a beautiful rendering of Advaita Vedanta teachings written by a follower of Shankara probably working in either the 8th or the 14th century C.E. The text sees duality as the root of evil, asserts the importance of belief in sharing one's world as limited or unbounded, and confidently proclaims radical monism. This book can increase understanding of the most important Hindu philosophical system and provide practical wisdom not only for Hindus but also for those inspired by the lyrical and ecstatic mysticism it conveys. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
