The Vivekachudamani is the crown jewel of the Prarkarana texts (philosophical treatises) authored by Sri Adi Sankaracharya. The title translates to 'Crest Jewel of Discrimination', referring to the discrimination between the real and unreal.
Adi Shankaracharya expounds the Advaita Vedanta philosophy in this monumental work, discussing key concepts including Viveka or discrimination between real (unchanging, eternal) and unreal (changing, temporal), Prakriti and Atman, the oneness of Atman and Brahman, and self-knowledge as the central purpose of spiritual life, resulting in Moksha.
Having written monumental commentaries on the Prasthanatraya (the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita and Brahma Sutras) Sankara also composed several sub-texts called Prakaranagranthas (philosophical treatises), with the objective of reaching the message of Vedanta to common people. The Vivekachudamani is the crown jewel of such Prarkarana texts.
Viveka Chudamani consists of 580 verses in Sanskrit, but unlike other scriptures, it is not divided into chapters and sections. It has the form of dialogue between the master and the disciple, where the master explains to the disciple the nature of the Atman and the ways to research and know the Atman. The book takes the disciple on a step by step instructions to reach Brahman. It is not divided into chapters or sections. It is in the form of a dialogue between an ardent seeker and his Guru.
The fundamental principle in Vedanta is that its teachings should be imparted only to those who sincerely seek it and approach a Guru with deference and faith. In this work the Guru proceeds step by step, answering the doubts of the disciple with patience until at the end the disciple attains realization. It concludes with the denial of Pluralism and the description of state of Self Realization.
This book on Vivekchudamani is a very useful book to understand the essence of Advaita in simple words. This book is very valuable for the researchers and students of Advaita.
I congratulate and extend my sincere thanks to Dr. Mrs. Prabha Anant for the commentary on Vivekchudamani for publication of such a quality work. I also congratulate Prof. Krishnakumar Pandey, Director, Publication, Prof. Parag Joshi, Deputy Director, Publication and Dr. Devanand Shukl, Member Secretray who has taken all possible steps for publication of this work.
**Contents and Sample Pages**
Vedas (1182)
Upanishads (493)
Puranas (624)
Ramayana (741)
Mahabharata (354)
Dharmasastras (165)
Goddess (496)
Bhakti (242)
Saints (1503)
Gods (1290)
Shiva (370)
Journal (187)
Fiction (60)
Vedanta (362)
Send as free online greeting card
Email a Friend
Manage Wishlist