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The Essence of Ribhu Gita
The Ribhu Gita forms the sixth section of the Sanskrit work known as Siva Rahasya. It is the teachings of Lord Siva in Mount Kailas to His devotee Ribhu, from whom the Gita derives its name. The Ribhu Gita was translated into Tamil verse by a Brahmin Vedic scholar of high repute, by name Bikshu Sastrigal who was also an accomplished scholar in Tamil. He translated the work under the name of Ulaganatha Swamigal, and because of his efforts attained renowned fame among the Tamil devotees of Siva. The Tamil version is a free translation of the original Sanskrit text, consisting of 1,924 verses of such scintillating brilliance that Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi recommended its recital as a strong support for spiritual sadhana. He used to say that the recital itself leads to spontaneous abidance in the Self.The book presented herewith consists of 122 verses from the original Tamil work, being a free translation into English prose, conveying the essence of the original, rather than a mere mechanical word for word translation. Translated by Professor N. R. Krishnamoorthi Aiyer. The esteemed translator, a retired physics professor, was encouraged by the Maharshi to study this text. The one hundred and twenty-one verses selected for this book are mostly those that the Maharshi made familiar to the devotees. They have been rendered into English with a trained accuracy and deep spiritual insight.pp61
- GenresSpirituality
26 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 25, 2026
The Ribhu Gita is a core Advaita text (often referenced by teachers like Ramana Maharshi). The Ribu Gita is part of the Sivarahasya Purana.
Roughly translated that equates to: (1) Shiva (Śiva) as in the Hindu the deity Shiva; (2) Rahasya (रहस्य);“secret,” “mystery,” or “esoteric teaching”; (3) Purana (पुराण); “ancient narrative,” “sacred lore,” or “mythic history”.
Or the ‘sacred esoteric teachings and lore of Lord Shiva’ and his devotees.’
Something like that.
Anyway.
The full text is a compilation of other older texts. Most scholars date the compilation (in its current form) at around:10th to 14th century CE
The full text is a comprised of 1,924 verses, which total to around 350pp (depending on the translation).
I’m currently reading the full text.
And it’s very repetitive (as are almost all sacred texts from this time and tradition.
It uses constant negation - via negativa -neti/neti- (“not this, not this”) and affirmation (“I am That”) to dissolve conceptual thinking and stabilize non-dual recognition. As such, reading/encountering the full text is more of a contemplative practice/process, that an intellectual experience/exercise.
I read this condensed version -The Essence of Ribu Gita- as a way of zooming out and getting a big picture overview of the text. A way to see the forrest through the trees - so to speak.
The Essence of Ribu Gita distills the text into about 75pages. Which can be further distilled into a radically simple, uncompromising non-dual teaching:
There is only the Self (formless, infinite awareness - Brahman) and you are That.
Of course, by Self, they do not mean wha we conventionally mean by “self”.
The Self refers to here is actually a little closer to what Buddhist would call “no self.” Or bare awareness.
And by “you” they don’t mean that you that you currently experience with you.
That you that you ordinarily call you (and me too), the ego (or I thought, or Aham Kara in Advia speak), doesn’t get enlightened.
What they mean by Self is the sense of being that always already is, prior to, during and after any and all thoughts, feelings and sensations.
Non-dual awareness.
Consciousness.
Turia (in Advia language).
Bodi Chita (in some Buddhist traditions).
IMPORTANTLY:
Given that non-dual awareness is always already is, prior to, during and after any and all thoughts, feelings and sensations.
You can’t “seek” it without losing it.
It is not an it.
It is who you always already are.
It’s what you always already have.
As such.
The search IS the suffering.
In the words of Peter Crone (who I know literally nothing about, except for the fact that he’s extremely telegenic, and quotable af).
“The essence of where we’re looking from, is what we’re looking for.”
From my perspective, when it comes to summarizing the Ribu Gita (and all Advita texts and teachings) this is as succinct as it gets.
We can never “find” what we’re ultimately looking for, because it’s the essence of where we’re looking “from”.
Like looking for a mask you’re wearing.
Awakening to non-dual awareness is not about seeking.
It’s about ceasing, and seeing through the weave of the thick tapestry of mind generated content (Chita Vritti), such that the illusion of ego identity is fundamentally and enduringly dissolute.
CORE INSIGHTS OF THE RIBU GITA:
Only pure consciousness (Brahman/ the Self) is real: Everything else—world, body, mind, individuality—is an appearance within it.
You are always/already the absolute:
There is no separate “person” who becomes enlightened.
You are, and have always been, thformless, infinite awareness.
The world is not ultimately real: All phenomena (thoughts, objects, time, causation) are appearances—like a dream. They have no independent existence apart from consciousness.
The mind IS the illusion: Identification with the body-mind produces the illusion of separation. When this identification dissolves, only the Self remains.
No practice is ultimately required:
From the highest standpoint, there is nothing to do, attain, or change.
Practice exists only within the illusion—truth is ever-present.
Abide as “I am Brahman”: The text repeatedly instructs the seeker to affirm and recognize: “I am the Absolute, I am pure awareness”.
Liberation is recognizing what already is: Realization is not a transformation, but a recognition—a shift from misidentification to clarity.
As with some of the other brief summary texts published by Ramona-ashram.
The Essence of Ribu Gita does what it intends. It gives the reader a map of the territory. So you can be at ease, and take one step at a time, and trust the process, on the journey through the territory.
5/5 Starts ⭐️
Roughly translated that equates to: (1) Shiva (Śiva) as in the Hindu the deity Shiva; (2) Rahasya (रहस्य);“secret,” “mystery,” or “esoteric teaching”; (3) Purana (पुराण); “ancient narrative,” “sacred lore,” or “mythic history”.
Or the ‘sacred esoteric teachings and lore of Lord Shiva’ and his devotees.’
Something like that.
Anyway.
The full text is a compilation of other older texts. Most scholars date the compilation (in its current form) at around:10th to 14th century CE
The full text is a comprised of 1,924 verses, which total to around 350pp (depending on the translation).
I’m currently reading the full text.
And it’s very repetitive (as are almost all sacred texts from this time and tradition.
It uses constant negation - via negativa -neti/neti- (“not this, not this”) and affirmation (“I am That”) to dissolve conceptual thinking and stabilize non-dual recognition. As such, reading/encountering the full text is more of a contemplative practice/process, that an intellectual experience/exercise.
I read this condensed version -The Essence of Ribu Gita- as a way of zooming out and getting a big picture overview of the text. A way to see the forrest through the trees - so to speak.
The Essence of Ribu Gita distills the text into about 75pages. Which can be further distilled into a radically simple, uncompromising non-dual teaching:
There is only the Self (formless, infinite awareness - Brahman) and you are That.
Of course, by Self, they do not mean wha we conventionally mean by “self”.
The Self refers to here is actually a little closer to what Buddhist would call “no self.” Or bare awareness.
And by “you” they don’t mean that you that you currently experience with you.
That you that you ordinarily call you (and me too), the ego (or I thought, or Aham Kara in Advia speak), doesn’t get enlightened.
What they mean by Self is the sense of being that always already is, prior to, during and after any and all thoughts, feelings and sensations.
Non-dual awareness.
Consciousness.
Turia (in Advia language).
Bodi Chita (in some Buddhist traditions).
IMPORTANTLY:
Given that non-dual awareness is always already is, prior to, during and after any and all thoughts, feelings and sensations.
You can’t “seek” it without losing it.
It is not an it.
It is who you always already are.
It’s what you always already have.
As such.
The search IS the suffering.
In the words of Peter Crone (who I know literally nothing about, except for the fact that he’s extremely telegenic, and quotable af).
“The essence of where we’re looking from, is what we’re looking for.”
From my perspective, when it comes to summarizing the Ribu Gita (and all Advita texts and teachings) this is as succinct as it gets.
We can never “find” what we’re ultimately looking for, because it’s the essence of where we’re looking “from”.
Like looking for a mask you’re wearing.
Awakening to non-dual awareness is not about seeking.
It’s about ceasing, and seeing through the weave of the thick tapestry of mind generated content (Chita Vritti), such that the illusion of ego identity is fundamentally and enduringly dissolute.
CORE INSIGHTS OF THE RIBU GITA:
Only pure consciousness (Brahman/ the Self) is real: Everything else—world, body, mind, individuality—is an appearance within it.
You are always/already the absolute:
There is no separate “person” who becomes enlightened.
You are, and have always been, thformless, infinite awareness.
The world is not ultimately real: All phenomena (thoughts, objects, time, causation) are appearances—like a dream. They have no independent existence apart from consciousness.
The mind IS the illusion: Identification with the body-mind produces the illusion of separation. When this identification dissolves, only the Self remains.
No practice is ultimately required:
From the highest standpoint, there is nothing to do, attain, or change.
Practice exists only within the illusion—truth is ever-present.
Abide as “I am Brahman”: The text repeatedly instructs the seeker to affirm and recognize: “I am the Absolute, I am pure awareness”.
Liberation is recognizing what already is: Realization is not a transformation, but a recognition—a shift from misidentification to clarity.
As with some of the other brief summary texts published by Ramona-ashram.
The Essence of Ribu Gita does what it intends. It gives the reader a map of the territory. So you can be at ease, and take one step at a time, and trust the process, on the journey through the territory.
5/5 Starts ⭐️
December 29, 2017
Good summary
I have read the original text before, this is a good summary for appreciation, the Indian words area still there, which I would preferred to read a complete English words summary.
I have read the original text before, this is a good summary for appreciation, the Indian words area still there, which I would preferred to read a complete English words summary.
May 8, 2024
Best warmup before I dive into Ribhu Gita.
December 19, 2025
Pinnacle of Spiritual Wisdom
40 years of spiritual seeking culminated with the insight contained within the pages of the Ribbu Gita. Everywhere I look, I see the face of God.
40 years of spiritual seeking culminated with the insight contained within the pages of the Ribbu Gita. Everywhere I look, I see the face of God.
February 24, 2026
amazing amazing amazing.
May 5, 2024
A small, yet so rich booklet. Timeless wisdom.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews