Ethical Values in Sankara'sCrest Jewel of Wisdom:Vedanta and Vivek Cudamani

Vedanta and  Vivek Cudamani Vedanta is truly the "Science of Life".Sankara, the great interpreter of Vedanta,not only gave the world his commentaries on the Upanishads,the Brahma Sutras and the Bhagavad Geeta,but also many primary texts, which introduce the seeker into the joys of Vedanta. One of the greatest texts he has written as an intorduction to Vedanta,is the Vivekachoodamani, meaning "The Crest-Jewel of Discrimination."  A careful study of these verses with the full freedom to enquire will give any student a correct understanding of the entire theory of Vedanta and he /she can,even without a very serious study of the scriptures, start the daily practices with tremendous benefit. The great sage, Sankaracharya, have left us a collection of soul-stirring thoughts in his Vivekachudamani, the  Crest-Jewel of Wisdom  According  to Judith Tyberg “ It is a practical and inspiring guide to life. Just like the sun with its splendour the challenging message of Shankaracharya's jewel -thoughts braces the spirits of world-weary ones as they turn to its radiant wisdom.The 581 verses  therein  is a cream of the Upanishads and the Bhagavad-Gita. Here the poet in Sankara vies with the philosopher and gives us the essence of the subtle philosophy in lucid and rhythmical verses entrancing in sublime rapture. Shankaracharya, Shankara the Teacher, by writing a series of preparatory works, of catechisms and manuals, made smooth the path of those who would take the first steps on the path of wisdom. The manuals and catechisms for learners teach, quite plainly and lucidly, the first steps on the path of wisdom. They point out, with clear insistence, the qualities that are necessary to make these first steps fruitful. These treatises of Shankara are an appeal to the reason that has hardly ever been equalled for clearness and simplicity. Their aim is Freedom/liberation ( moksha ),  indeed. The Viveka Chudamani is one of the most famous work of Adi Shankara. Literal meaning of Viveka Chudamani is “The Crest-Jewel of Wisdom” and it expounds advaita vedanta philosophy. Viveka Chudamani consists of 580 verses in Sanskrit, It has the form of dialogue between the master and the disciple on the nature of the Atman and the ways to realize the self. It begins with Adi Shankara's prayer to his guru Sri Govinda Bhagavatpada and concludes with the description of state of Self Realisation,. But it is not enough for the mind to follow the lucid sentences of Shankara. "Freedom from the bondage of the world" demands something more. "Sickness is not cured by saying 'Medicine,' but by drinking it; so a man is not set free by the name of the Eternal, but by discerning the Eternal." The teaching must be woven into life and character.In Shankara's treatise "The Crest-jewel of Wisdom The language of the teacher is lucid. Every word is defined and every definition enlarged and repeated But much remains to be done by  the sadhaks themselves, reinforcing  thoughts of Shankara  to  the heart. Ved  Prakash