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The Ashtavakra Gita, also known as the Ashtavakra Samhita, is a famous Sanskrit scripture. It may be the purest, most uncompromising expression of Advaita Vedanta that has ever been written.
The Ashtavakra Gita has a very great reputation. For example, Osho wrote:
“Man has many scriptures, but none are comparable to the Gita of Ashtavakra. Before it the Vedas pale, the Upanishads speak with a weak voice. Even the Bhagavad Gita does not have the majesty found in the Ashtavakra Samhita — it is simply unparalleled.”
Even though the Ashtavakra Gita sounds as new as today’s email, it really is a classical scripture, infinitely substantial, one of the most beautiful expositions of Advaita Vedanta and Jnana Yoga ever written.
The translator, John Henry Richards, MA, BD, was an Anglican priest who worked in Wales. He also translated the Dhammapada and Vivekachudamani.
This page was first published on November 7, 2015 and last republished on June 11, 2022.