"This is an extraordinarily fine rendering of the Ashtavakra Gita , a book of unadorned compassion. As water wears away stone, so these profoundly simple truths wear away illusion."--Ram Dass "Byrom's exquisitely clean and untroubled rendering of this spiritual classic irresistibly invites us to listen for what cannot be heard and to search for what cannot be seen."--Jacob Needleman, author of The Heart of Philosophy and Lost Christianity "There have been English translations of the Ashtavakra Gita before, this is not only new and elegant but also the first to capture the spirit of the original in its freshness and directness. I warmly recommend it."--J. L. Brockington, Senior Lecturer in Sanskrit, Edinburgh University.