Acharya Sankara's Viveka Chudamani(Crest Jewel of Wisdom)
Ethical and Spiritual Values in Sankara's Viveka Chudamani:
Conclusion
Acharya Sankara has , in the Vivek Chudamani(VC), by means of a dialogue between the Teacher and the disciple, given the crest of thoughts in the Vedas, the deepest purport of Upanishadic literature, and the most supreme and profound secret Knowledge containing the innermost essence of the Vedanta, to enable him to achieve purification from the impurities of vasanas and to make his intellect fully free from desires.In the VC, all that we have is a logical thought development of the entire theory of Vedanta given out in a style and language most fit for the easy comprehension of even the dull-witted. With this aim in view Sankara had woven this poetic tapestry,most successfully, indeed.
Just as the great scripture the Bhagvad Geeta is presented to the public in a convenient style,here we find Acharya Sankara employing a Teacher-Taught dialogue. The entire theme discussed is the nature of the Self and how best the seeker(sadhak)can be trained and helped to come to apprehend the Truth.In the penultimate verse (Verse 580 ) Sankara states:" May those men appreciate this salutory teaching, who are sekers after liberation, who have cleansed themselves of the taints of the mind by observing the prescribed methods,who have a distaste for worldly enjoyments, who have serene minds and who take delight in the scriptures."
According to Swami Chinmayananda, Ach. Sankara has written this only for those who have the following six qualifications:
1.Those who have completely purged the impurities of the mind(vihita-nirasta-samasta-chitta-doshah) by following the prescribed methods--- sama, dama,uparati,titiksha,sradha, and samadhana..
2.Those who are averse to the pleasure of the world which are ever-changing(bhava-sukha-viratah).
3. Those whose minds are quiet and calm, because of the reduction of vasanas(prasata-chittah).
4.Those who take delight in the study of the scriptures i.e. those who have the mental attitude to understand the Upanishads (sruti-rasikah).
5.Those who are putting forth the effort, those who are striving to realise what they have understood(yatayah).
6.Those who have a burning desire for liberation(mumukshavah).
Such people,when they study VivekaChudamani, willi understand and appreciate it better.
May I add another category of persons like myself ( or some of the esteemed readers of this article/ blog) , who may not possess any of the above qualifications, but having studied this masterpiece of Vedanta, become convert to the Vedantic idealogy, by sheer repeated reinforcements of the Knowledge of the Self, to become master of themselves, in the ultimate reckoning.
For those who are afflicted in this sansar by the burning pains of caused by the scorching sun rays of the three-fold sorrows(Adhyatimika, Adhidaivika, and Adhibhautika), and those who, in delusion roam in a desert in search of water, for them here is the glorious message of Sankara pointing out the ocean of Nectar, the non-dual Brahman(the satchidananda), within easy reach, in order to lead them to liberation.
My grateful thanks to Swami Chinmayananda and Central Chinmaya Mission, Mumbai, on whose publication " Talks on Sankara's Viveka Choodamani", the contents of this article/blog are mainly based.May the Seekers of the Truth imbibe the ethical/Spiritual Values for leading a more serene and contented life.
Vedprakash
Ethical and Spiritual Values in Sankara's Viveka Chudamani:
Conclusion
Acharya Sankara has , in the Vivek Chudamani(VC), by means of a dialogue between the Teacher and the disciple, given the crest of thoughts in the Vedas, the deepest purport of Upanishadic literature, and the most supreme and profound secret Knowledge containing the innermost essence of the Vedanta, to enable him to achieve purification from the impurities of vasanas and to make his intellect fully free from desires.In the VC, all that we have is a logical thought development of the entire theory of Vedanta given out in a style and language most fit for the easy comprehension of even the dull-witted. With this aim in view Sankara had woven this poetic tapestry,most successfully, indeed.
Just as the great scripture the Bhagvad Geeta is presented to the public in a convenient style,here we find Acharya Sankara employing a Teacher-Taught dialogue. The entire theme discussed is the nature of the Self and how best the seeker(sadhak)can be trained and helped to come to apprehend the Truth.In the penultimate verse (Verse 580 ) Sankara states:" May those men appreciate this salutory teaching, who are sekers after liberation, who have cleansed themselves of the taints of the mind by observing the prescribed methods,who have a distaste for worldly enjoyments, who have serene minds and who take delight in the scriptures."
According to Swami Chinmayananda, Ach. Sankara has written this only for those who have the following six qualifications:
1.Those who have completely purged the impurities of the mind(vihita-nirasta-samasta-chitta-doshah) by following the prescribed methods--- sama, dama,uparati,titiksha,sradha, and samadhana..
2.Those who are averse to the pleasure of the world which are ever-changing(bhava-sukha-viratah).
3. Those whose minds are quiet and calm, because of the reduction of vasanas(prasata-chittah).
4.Those who take delight in the study of the scriptures i.e. those who have the mental attitude to understand the Upanishads (sruti-rasikah).
5.Those who are putting forth the effort, those who are striving to realise what they have understood(yatayah).
6.Those who have a burning desire for liberation(mumukshavah).
Such people,when they study VivekaChudamani, willi understand and appreciate it better.
May I add another category of persons like myself ( or some of the esteemed readers of this article/ blog) , who may not possess any of the above qualifications, but having studied this masterpiece of Vedanta, become convert to the Vedantic idealogy, by sheer repeated reinforcements of the Knowledge of the Self, to become master of themselves, in the ultimate reckoning.
For those who are afflicted in this sansar by the burning pains of caused by the scorching sun rays of the three-fold sorrows(Adhyatimika, Adhidaivika, and Adhibhautika), and those who, in delusion roam in a desert in search of water, for them here is the glorious message of Sankara pointing out the ocean of Nectar, the non-dual Brahman(the satchidananda), within easy reach, in order to lead them to liberation.
My grateful thanks to Swami Chinmayananda and Central Chinmaya Mission, Mumbai, on whose publication " Talks on Sankara's Viveka Choodamani", the contents of this article/blog are mainly based.May the Seekers of the Truth imbibe the ethical/Spiritual Values for leading a more serene and contented life.
Vedprakash
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