Latest news with #Vivekachudamani
The Hindu
13-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
God kindles your quest
Knowledge is power, but what is the use of acquiring it without letting go of worldly pleasures? One will keep repeating the cycle of births and rebirths, with no lasting peace or true realisation. Knowledge alone is not enough to bring inner peace, rather it will become a mental burden, said Ramanacharana Tirtha Swami (Nochur). Plants have life, as do birds, but what is the use of living like that? Man, who alone among creation has the ability to discern, should nurture the thirst for knowledge and moksha and seek the company of sages in order to be instructed on truth. Only then will such a person's life be fulfilled. This Brahma Gnanam of realisation of the Lord is hidden inside the human mind. Great souls attain this knowledge of Brahman by focusing their minds on God, and distancing themselves from the clutter of a material world. In Vivekachudamani, Adi Sankara emphasises this, saying, 'Jantu nam nara janmam dhurlabam..'. To be born as a human being is a rare gift and one should utilise it for spiritual progress and not misspend it in chasing impermanent goals that gratify only the senses and do nothing to uplift the soul. Ramana Maharshi had attained that inner peace and detachment, when very young. The Maharshi famously said, 'Pazhiyil vizhadha Ezhaiai Kaathu un padhathil niruthiveithanaye, azhiyaam karunai vallale Arunachaleswara.' (You saved me from falling into the pit, and kept me close to you, Arunachaleswara, Oh ocean of kindness). Such was the enlightenment achieved by this great soul who knew that the only purpose of human life is self-realisation. When one turns one's mind towards higher things, God Himself steps up to help such a person. As Krishna says in the Gita, 'I will kindle the quest for Brahma Gnanam in those who repose faith in me.'
Time of India
01-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Shankara's Advaita and magnificence of Brahmn
Adi Shankaracharya shared profound Vedantic insights in Vivekachudamani, verse 78, 'Humans, victims of all five senses', and pinpointed Advaitic truths by expounding that to catch a deer, one entices it with sweet sound of, say, a flute, and when it stands motionless entranced by that sound, one catches it. An elephant is caught by tempting it with the touch of a she-elephant. A moth is attracted to a flame by the brightness of its form, falls into it and dies. Fishermen catch fish by using bait; the fish takes the bait and falls prey. The fragrant smell of flowers attracts the bee, which dies enjoying that fragrance. 'Thus, one or the other of the five senses leads these beings to a fatal end. But a man who is a slave to all the five senses, falls prey to the five-fold influence.' In verse 261 of Vivekachudamani, Shankara explains that Brahmn is actionless and changeless. So, when we say that Brahmn is the cause of the universe, we are only viewing it through the medium of our senses and mind. Also, when we say that Brahmn is the cause of the universe, it is only an indicative characteristic of Brahmn; it is not its 'swarupa-lakshan' – which is existence-consciousnessbliss, a three-in-one definition; an integral whole, not three but one only. In Advaita Pancharatnam, verse two, Shankara explains the core teaching of Advaita: 'A rope mistaken for a snake, a shell mistaken for silver, the trunk of a tree mistaken for a thief.' These objects last only as long as their perception persists when the rope is perceived in ignorance, either due to darkness or otherwise, as a snake; we merge with ignorance. In the same way, unaware of our true nature as the absolute Self, we are aware only of the body, mind, and intellect. This conglomeration, which we usually call jiva, is thought of as the only existence, an empirical reality. In Shankara, one finds unusual combination of philosopher, poet, savant, saint, mystic, and religious reformer, all rolled into one, who ensured that the truth of Advaita Vedanta would thrive not only in India but throughout the world. Shankara traversed far-flung corners, preaching to the local populace and debating philosophy with Hindu, Buddhist, and other scholars and monks along the way. He engaged in reforming the Sanatan Dharm and personified wisdom of the Vedas. Shankara also wrote philosophical treatises, and composed hymns known as 'Prakarana Granthas' including 'Vivekachudamani', 'Atma Bodha' and 'Upadesa Sahasri' in verse and prose. His verses have unfathomable depth, and they have helped successive generations experience beauty and liveliness of the Self. In Bhaj Govindam, Shankara exhorted people to chant the name of Govind and free themselves from the illusion of samsara. He established that duality is all-consuming, and we can get out of the binary of dusk and dawn, winter and spring, only when we have mastered our desires and are ready to seek permanent refuge in Brahmn. Shankara Jayanti is on May 1 Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
