Samkhya Karika - by Srivatsa Ramaswami (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A detailed guide to Samkhya Vedic philosophy and how to break free from the cycles of rebirth

- Explores the meaning of all 72 verses of the 4th-century Sanskrit text Samkhya Karika word by word, providing helpful explanations and annotations to aid your understanding

- Reveals how Samkhya Karika explains the three duhkhas, or causes of suffering, and how to deal with them to reach a state of freedom from pain and suffering

- Shows how Samkhya Karika explains the origin and evolution of the universe and how it identifies the true nature of the Self, the Atman, as unvarying consciousness distinct from the body-mind complex

Along with Yoga and Vedanta, Samkhya is one of the three schools of Vedic philosophy that teach the individual how to break free from the cycles of death and rebirth. Samkhya Karika is the earliest surviving text on Samkhya, a brilliant masterpiece written by fourth-century Indian poet and philosopher Ishvarakrishna, who was considered to be an avatar of the Classical Sanskrit poet Kalidasa.

Presenting a translation of Samkhya Karika from the original Sanskrit along with detailed commentary, Srivatsa Ramaswami explores the meaning of all 72 slokas (verses) word by word, providing helpful explanations and annotations to aid in your understanding. He shows how Samkhya philosophy explains the origin and evolution of the universe and how it identifies the true nature of the Self as unvarying consciousness, distinct from the empirical body-mind complex. He reveals how Samkhya Karika explains the three duhkhas, or causes of suffering, and how to deal with them to reach the goal of Samkhya: kaivalya, a state of deep contemplation where one is unafflicted by pain and eternally free from the cycle of samsara.

Providing a user-friendly guide to Samkhya for yoga practitioners and students of yoga philosophy, this book also shares insightful teachings from the author's teacher, the legendary Sri Krishnamacharya, hailed as "the father of modern yoga."

Review Quotes

"Srivatsa Ramaswami's translation of the Samkhya Karika is a boon to every yoga student, teacher, and spiritual seeker. This book and its tools illuminate the way to freedom from suffering and understanding of the Self. It is a rare gem that provides access to the teachings of yoga beyond asana. This book is more than a superb technical exposition and an engaging read. Srivatsa Ramaswami's lifelong dedication to study and practice shines throughout this text. His sincerity, honesty, wisdom, wit, clarity, and expertise help the reader better understand the path of yoga and the nature of the Self. If you are looking to immerse yourself in yoga, look no further than this book. It is truly a gift for anyone on the path to truth."-- "Ryan Leier, founder of One Yoga and Vinyasa Yoga for Youth and a student of the Krishnamacharya yoga"

"The Samkhya Karika conveys the core ideas underlying the practice of yoga. The witness or seer (purusha) can only find freedom by understanding and purifying his relationship to the manifest world of the body and senses (prakriti). In this elegant new translation, Srivatsa Ramaswami provides easy access to this important text. Explanatory cross-references connect the Samkhya to Patañjali's Yoga Sutra and Krishna's wisdom in the Bhagavad Gita. All serious students of yoga will benefit from reading and learning the 25 principles of Samkhya as described in these 72 verses."-- "Christopher Key Chapple, Doshi professor of Indic and Comparative Theology and founding director of"

"The Samkhya Karika is an essential scripture for understanding yogic thought and instrumental in building the fundamental teachings of Sanatana Dharma. With several decades of experience teaching yoga and Vedanta, no one is more qualified to translate the Samkhya Karika than Srivatsa Ramaswami. This version is destined to become the traditional authority on this important ancient text in the pantheon of Dharmic philosophy."-- "Jason Gregory, author of The Science and Practice of Humility, Enlightenment Now, and Effortless Liv"

"The Samkhya Karika is the core text of Samkhya, and Samkhya is the master key to unlocking the secrets of both Patañjali's yoga Sutras and Vedanta. Srivatsa Ramaswami, one of the few remaining living disciples of T. Krishnamacharya, has translated the text, including word-for-word breakdowns, and provided his personal commentary based on extensive study and practice. Ramaswami is a man of great integrity, and this is a wonderful resource for all serious students of yoga. Highly recommended!"-- "Ranju Roy, author of Yoga as Pilgrimage and coauthor of Embodying the Yoga Sutras"

"This book is a true treasure trove for those seeking a deeper understanding of Samkhya philosophy presented in a simple conversational style. Generously sprinkled with stories and anecdotes shared with subtle humor, it is bound to keep you engaged. The explanations are supported by interesting references drawn from a huge repository of knowledge that testifies to the author's mastery of yoga, Samkhya, and all related subjects. For those of us from this tradition who have not met Sri Krishnamacharya, Srivatsa Ramaswami's simple presence and generous sharing helps us get a glimpse of the great master and the depth of his mastery. For students of yoga, this book will remain an important reference and inspiration to deepen our self-inquiry and understanding of the mysteries of life, touching the many subtle layers of our existence and leading us on the path to light and truth!"-- "Saraswathi Vasudevan, founder and director of YogaVahini and student of Sri TKV Desikachar"

About the Author

Srivatsa Ramaswami studied with Sri Krishnamacharya in India for 33 years, from 1955 until Krishnamacharya's passing in 1987 at the age of 100. Srivatsa Ramaswami taught yoga in universities, hospitals, and schools in India for more than 20 years and was visiting faculty at Loyola Marymount University for 15 years. The author of many articles and four books, including Yoga for the Three Stages of Life, he lives in Chennai, India, and the United States.