VIVEKACHOODAMANI – “The Crest-Jewel of Discrimination" : Slokam - 20. Sri Swami Adi Sankaracharya.

 

Tuesday, January 05,  2021. 09:45. AM. 
VIVEKACHOODAMANI VOLUME : 1. The PURPOSE of Human Life
PART 1: (Sloka-s 1-66, 66 No.)
1.4 QUALIFICATIONS of DISCIPLE & GURU
(Sloka-s 17-32a, 15 No.)
The four-fold qualifications (verses 18-30)

Slokam - 20: VIVEKAM - 1.

"1.brahma satyam jaganmithyaa 2 iti evam roopah vinishchayah; 
3 sah ayam nitya-anitya vastu 4 vivekah samudaahritah."

Translation-

1 brahma satyam jaganmithyaa = “Brahman alone is real; the world is unreal” –
2 iti evam roopah vinishchayah; =  when this conclusion becomes a firm conviction;
3 sah ayam nitya-anitya vastu       =Such discrimination between the Real and Unreal
4 vivekah samudaahritah. is considered to be Viveka. =is considered to be Viveka.

Tatvam (Essence) :

 In Viveka Choodamani, as compared with the basic text Tattva Bodha, the author takes the definition of Viveka a notch further.

In Tattva Bodha, the discrimination was between the “permanent and the impermanent”. Hearing this, a seeker may still feel drawn to them – “So what if they are impermanent; at least they are there to be enjoyed.”

In Viveka Choodamani, the word used is Mithya or ‘false’. If a thing is seen as false there is smaller chance of desire arising for it. Acharyaji gave the example of a fruit basket on a coffee table in the lounge. When it is known that they are made of plastic, there is no desire for them.

To be continued ...

Next-Slokam : 21: . VAIRAAGYA -2.

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