Sri Sankara’s Vivekachudamani By Acharya Pranipata Chaitanya -13























Sri Sankara’s
Vivekachudamani

By
Acharya Pranipata Chaitanya
(Tiruchengode Chinmaya Mission, Tamil Nadu, India)




yatraiÿa jagad˜bh˜so darpaõ˜nta× puraÕ yath˜ |
tadbrahm˜hamiti jñ˜tv˜ k®tak®tyo bhaviÿyasi || 291||  
yatra there where @;> eÿa× this jgda-as> jagad-˜bh˜sa× the illusion of the universe dpR[aNt> darpaõ˜nta× in the mirror purm! puraÕ city ywa yath˜ just as tt! tat that äü brahma Brahman Ahm! aham I am #it iti thus }aTva jñ˜tv˜ knowing k«tk«Ty> k®tak®tya× fulfilled -iv:yis bhaviÿyasi you will become
That in which there is the ‗illusion‘ of the universe, like a ‗city (reflected) in the mirror,‘ that Brahman you are! Knowing this, attain the fulfillment of your life.

yatsatyabh¨taÕ nijar¨pam˜dyaÕ
cidadvay˜nandamar¨pamakriyam |
tadetya mithy˜vapuruts®jeta
þail¨ÿavadveÿamup˜ttam˜tmana× || 292||  
yt! yat That which sTy-Utm! satyabh¨taÕ intrinsically one's essence injêpm! nijar¨paÕ one's nature Aa*m! ˜dyaÕ the Primeval ict! cit Absolute Knowledge AÖy advaya Non-dual AanNdm! ˜nandaÕ Bliss Aêpm! ar¨paÕ Formless Ai³ym! akriyam beyond activities tt! tat that @Ty etya attaining imWyavpu> mithy˜vapu× the false body %Ts&jet uts®jeta should give up zElU;vt! þail¨ÿavat like an actor ve;m! veÿaÕ the mask(his dress and make up) %paÄm! up˜ttaÕ assumed AaTmn> ˜tmana× his
Attaining That which is intrinsically one‘s own very essence, which is Absolute Knowledge and Bliss, non-dual, beyond all forms and activities, one should cease identifying with the false body, like the actor giving up his mask.
The perceived I factor – false (verses 293-297)

sarv˜tman˜ d®þyamidaÕ m®ÿaiva
naiv˜hamartha× kÿaõikatvadarþan˜t |
j˜n˜myahaÕ sarvamiti pratŸti×   
kuto'ham˜de× kÿaõikasya sidhyet || 293||
svaRTmna sarv˜tman˜ absolutely (quite) †Zym! d®þyaÕ the seen (world) #dm! idaÕ this m&;a m®ÿ˜ unreal @v eva indeed n na neither @v eva verily Ahm! ahaÕ the ego AwR> artha× real ]i[kTv dzRnat! kÿaõikatva darþan˜t for it is seen to be fleeting or momentary janaim Ahm! svRm! j˜n˜mi ahaÕ sarvaÕ "I know all" #it iti thus àtIit> pratŸti× the perception k…t> kuta× how Ahm! Aade> aham ˜de× of the ego etc ]i[kSy kÿaõikasya which are momentary isXyet! sidhyet be true
The whole objective world is non-real. Neither is the ego real, for it is seen to be momentary. How then can the apparent notion ―I know all be true when the ego etc., are themselves momentary?

ahampad˜rthastvaham˜dis˜kÿŸ
nityaÕ suÿupt˜vapi bh˜vadarþan˜t |
br¨te hyajo nitya iti þruti× svayaÕ
tatpratyag˜tm˜ sadasadvilakÿaõa× || 294||  
Ah<pdawR> ahampad˜rtha× the true entity of the word ":I" i.e. The real I tu tu but Ahmaidsa]I aham˜dis˜kÿŸ (is) the witness of the ego etc inTym! nityaÕ always su;uPtaE suÿuptau in deep-sleep Aip api even -av dzRnat! bh˜va darþan˜t it's presence is seen äUte br¨te says ih hi verily Aj> aja× Unborn inTy> nitya× Eternal #it iti thus ïuit> þruti× the Sruti Svym! svayaÕ Herself tt! tat therefore àTygaTma pratyag˜tm˜ the Inner Self st! Ast! ivl][> sat asat vilakÿaõa× is different from the (relative) truth and untruth
But the real ―I witnesses the ego etc. and is always there, even in deep-sleep. ―It is Unborn, Eternal, as the sruti itself says. It is the inmost Self, different from the (relative) truth and untruth.

vik˜riõ˜Õ sarvavik˜ravett˜
nity˜vik˜ro bhavituÕ samarhati |
manorathasvapnasuÿuptiÿu sphu÷aÕ  
puna× punard®ÿ÷amasattvametayo× || 295||
ivkair[am! vik˜riõ˜Õ of the changing things svR ivkarveÄa sarva vik˜ravett˜ the knower of all changes inTy Aivkar> nitya avik˜ra× Eternal, Changeless -ivtum! bhavituÕ to be smhRit samarhati deserves,should be mnaerw manoratha (in) fancy SvPn svapna (in)dream su;uiPt;u suÿuptiÿu in deep-sleep S)…qm! sphu÷aÕ clearly pun> pun> puna× puna× again and again †òm! d®ÿ÷aÕ is perceived AsÅvm! asattvaÕ the unreality @tyae> etayo× of their two-the gross and the subtle
That which is the Knower of all changes in all things which undergo change, must doubtless be Eternal and Changeless. Again and again, the unreality of the gross and the subtle bodies is clearly perceived in one‘s imagination, in dreams and in the dreamless sleep.

ato'bhim˜naÕ tyaja m˜Õsapiõýe
piõý˜bhim˜ninyapi buddhikalpite |
k˜latray˜b˜dhyamakhaõýabodhaÕ
jñ˜tv˜ svam˜tm˜namupaihi þ˜ntim || 296||  
At> ata× therefore Ai-manm! abhim˜naÕ identification Tyj tyaja reject ma<sip{fe m˜Õsapiõýe with the mast of flesh ip{fai-mainin piõý˜bhim˜nini with the ego or the subtle body Aip api and,also buiÏkiLpte buddhikalpite imagined by the intellect kalÇy AbaXym! k˜latraya ab˜dhyaÕ that which cannot be denied in the three periods of time Ao{fbaexm! akhaõýabodhaÕ Absolute Knowledge }aTva jñ˜tv˜ realising Svm! AaTmanm! svam ˜tm˜naÕ your own Self %pEih upaihi attain zaiNtm! þ˜ntiÕ the Peace
Therefore, give up your identification with this mass of flesh and with the ego and the subtle body, which are imaginations of the mind. By realizing your own Self which is Absolute Knowledge, which cannot be negated in the three periods of time, attain to the State of Supreme Peace.
Tyjai-man< k…lgaeÆnam-

tyaj˜bhim˜naÕ kulagotran˜ma-
r¨p˜þrameÿv˜rdraþav˜þriteÿu |
liðgasya dharm˜napi kart®t˜diÕ-
styakt˜ bhav˜khaõýasukhasvar¨pa× || 297||  
Tyj tyaja renounce Ai-manm! abhim˜naÕ identification k…l kula family gaeÇ gotra lineage nam n˜ma name êp r¨pa Form Aaïme;u ˜þrameÿu with the order of life AaÔRzv Aaiïte;u ˜rdraþava ˜þriteÿu depending upon the foul corpse il¼Sy liðgasya of the subtle body xmaRn! dharm˜n attributes Aip api also kt&Rtaidn! kart®t˜din doership,etc TyKTva tyaktv˜ renouncing -v bhava become Ao{fsuoSvêp> akhaõýasukhasvar¨pa× the very essence of Absolute Bliss
Renounce your identification with family, lineage, name, form and order in life—attributes which pertain to the body which is like a foul corpse. So too, renounce your ideas of agency etc., which are attributes of the subtle body. Thus realize your true essence as the Absolute Bliss.
Condemnation of the ego (verses 298-309)

santyanye pratibandh˜× puÕsa× saÕs˜rahetavo d®ÿ÷˜× |
teÿ˜mevaÕ m¨laÕ prathamavik˜ro bhavatyahaðk˜ra× || 298||
siNt santi there are ANye anye other àitbNxa> pratibandh˜× obstacles pu<s> puÕsa× for this man  
s<sarhetv> saÕs˜rahetava× the other causes of samsara †òa> d®ÿ÷˜× are seen te;am! teÿ˜Õ of them @km! ekaÕ one mUlm! m¨laÕ root àwmivkar> prathamavik˜ra× the first modification -vit bhavati is Ah<kar> ahaðk˜ra× the ego
It is observed that there are other obstacles also which hurl an individual into a whirl of births and deaths. Their one root cause---for the reasons given above—is the ego—the first modification of ignorance.

y˜vatsy˜tsvasya sambandho'haðk˜reõa dur˜tman˜ |
t˜vanna leþam˜tr˜pi muktiv˜rt˜ vilakÿaõ˜ || 299||
yavt! y˜vat as long as Syat! sy˜t there is SvSy svasya one's sMbNx> sambandha× relationship Ah<kare[ ahaðk˜reõa with the ego ÊraTmna dur˜tman˜ the vile tavt! t˜vat so long n na there is not lezmaÇa Aip leþam˜tr˜ api even the slightest muiKtvataR muktiv˜rt˜ talk about liberation ivl][a vilakÿaõ˜ (which is) unparalleled or uniquely different  
As long as there is any relationship with this vile ego, there cannot be the slightest talk about liberation, which is totally different in nature.

ahaðk˜ragrah˜nmukta× svar¨pamupapadyate |
candravadvimala× p¨rõa× sad˜nanda× svayamprabha× || 300||
Ah<kar¢hat! ahaðk˜ragrah˜t from the shackles of the ego muKt> mukta× freed Svêpm! svar¨pam true nature %pp*te upapadyate gains cNÔvt! candravat like the moon ivml> vimala× untainted pU[R> p¨rõa× infinite sdanNd> sad˜nanda× ever blissful Svy<à-> svayamprabha× self-effulgent
Freed from the shackles of the ego, like the moon freed from the eclipse, one gains one‘s true nature and becomes Untainted, Infinite, Ever-blissful and Self-effulgent.

yo v˜ pure so'hamiti pratŸto  
buddhy˜ prakl®ptastamas˜'tim¨ýhay˜ |
tasyaiva ni×þeÿatay˜ vin˜þe
brahm˜tmabh˜va× pratibandhaþ¨nya× || 301||
y> ya× that which va verily pure pure in the city of the body s> Ahm! sa× aham "I am so-and-so" #it iti thus àtIt> pratŸta× is perceived buÏ(a buddhy˜ by the intellect àKl&Pt prakl®pta created tmsa tamas˜ by nescience AitmUFya atim¨ýhay˜ extremely deluded tSy tasya it's (ego's) @v eva alone in>ze;tya ni×þeÿatay˜ totally ivnaze vin˜þe in the annihilation or when annihilated äüaTm-av> brahm˜tmabh˜va× identity with Brahman àitbNxzUNy> pratibandhaþ¨nya× unobstructed
The ego is that which has been produced by the intellect thoroughly deluded by ignorance. It is is perceived in this body as: ―I am so-and-so. When this delusion (ego-sense) is totally annihilated, one attains the unobstructed identity with Brahman.
  
brahm˜nandanidhirmah˜balavat˜'haðk˜raghor˜hin˜
saÕveÿ÷y˜tmani rakÿyate guõamayaiþcaõýestribhirmastakai×
vijñ˜n˜khyamah˜sin˜ þrutimat˜ vicchidya þŸrÿatrayaÕ
nirm¨ly˜himimaÕ nidhiÕ sukhakaraÕ dhŸro'nubhoktuðkÿama× || 302||
äüanNdinix> brahm˜nandanidhi× the treasure of the "Bliss-of-Brahman" mhablvta mah˜balavat˜ by the mighty Ah<kar "aer Aihna ahaðk˜ra ghora ahin˜ by the dreadful serpent of the ego-sense s<ve:q( saÕveÿ÷ya having enwrapped AaTmin ˜tmani in the mind rúyte rakÿyate is guarded gu[myE> guõamayai× made up of (three) gunas c{fE> caõýai× (by the) fierce iÇi-> tribhi× by three mStkE> mastakai× by hoods iv}an AOy vijñ˜na akhya named Realisation mha Aisna mah˜ asin˜ with the great sword ïuitmta þrutimat˜ in accordance with the scriptural teaching iviCD* vicchidya severing zI;RÇym! þŸrÿatrayaÕ the three hoods inmURLy nirm¨lya destroying completely Aihm! ahiÕ serpent #mm! imaÕ this inixm! nidhiÕ the treasure suokrm! sukhakaraÕ which brings bliss xIr> dhŸra× the wise man Anu-aeKtum! anubhoktuÕ to enjoy ]m> kÿama× becomes fit  
The treasure of the Bliss-of-Brahman is enwrapped by the mighty and dreadful serpent of the ego-sense and zealously guarded for its own use, by its three fierce hoods, the three gunas. The wise person who destroys it by severing its three heads with the great shining sword of Realisation, in accordance with the teachings of the scriptures, alone can enjoy this treasure which brings Bliss.

y˜vadv˜ yatkiñcidviÿadoÿasph¨rtirasti ceddehe |
katham˜rogy˜ya bhavettadvadahant˜pi yogino muktyai || 303||
yavt! y˜vat as long as va verily yt! ikiÁct! yat kiñcit even a trace iv;dae;S)ªitR> viÿadoÿasph¨rti× the effect of the impurity of poison AiSt asti there is cet! cet if dehe dehe in the body kwm! kathaÕ how AaraeGyay ˜rogy˜ya for recovery -vet! bhavet can it be tÖt! tadvat similarly AhNta ahant˜ the ego-sense Aip api also yaeign> yogina× of the meditator's muKTyE muktyai for liberation
As long as there is even a trace of poison left in the body, how can one hope for complete recovery? Even so, the yogi cannot attain liberation as long as a trace of egoism remains.


ahamo'tyantaniv®tty˜ tatk®tan˜n˜vikalpasaÕh®ty˜ |
pratyaktattvavivek˜didamahamasmŸti vindate tattvam || 304||
Ahm> ahama× of the ego-sense ATyNtinv&Åya atyantaniv®tty˜ by the complete cessation tTk«t tatk®ta created by it nanaivkLp s<ùTya n˜n˜vikalpa saÕh®ty˜ by restraining the diverse mental waves àTykoe tÅvivvekat! pratyak tattvavivek˜t through the discrimination of the innermost Reality #dm! Ahm! AiSm idam aham asmi "I am This" #it iti thus ivNdte vindate gains(experiences) tÅvm! tattvam the Reality
By the complete cessation of the ego-sense, gained by restraining the diverse mental waves, created by the ego itself and through the discrimination of the inmost Self, one experiences the Reality as ―I am This.

ahaðk˜re kartaryahamiti matiÕ muñca sahas˜
vik˜r˜tmany˜tmapratiphalajuÿi svasthitimuÿi |
yadadhy˜s˜tpr˜pt˜ janim®tijar˜du×khabahul˜  
pratŸcaþcinm¨rtestava sukhatano× saÕs®tiriyam || 305||
Ah<kare ahaðk˜re with the ego ktRir kartari the doer Ahm! #it aham iti the I-notion, identification mitm! matiÕ the notion muÁc muñca renounce shsa sahas˜ immediately ivkaraTmin vik˜r˜tmani (which is) mutable AaTmàit)ljui; ˜tmapratiphalajuÿi (which is) lit up by the reflection of the Self SviSwitmui; svasthitimuÿi the one who diverts man from being established in the Self yt! yat which AXyasat! adhy˜s˜t due to the superimposition àaPta pr˜pt˜ reached jinm&itjra Ê>ob÷la janim®tijar˜ du×khabahul˜ full of the miseries of birth, death and old age àtIc> pratŸca× for the inner self icNmUteR> cinm¨rte× for the one who is the essence of knowledge tv tava for you suotnae> sukhatano× the embodiment of Bliss s<s&it> saÕs®ti× the samsara #ym! iyam this
Renounce immediately your identification with the ego-sense, the ‗sense of doership‘ which, being a modification, is merely a ‗reflection‘ of the Self. It detracts you from being established in the Self. Identifying yourself with this (false sense), you have reached this embodied existence, full of miseries of birth, decay and death—although you essentially are the Witness, the Essence of Knowledge-Bliss-Absolute.  

sadaikar¨pasya cid˜tmano vibho-
r˜nandam¨rteranavadyakŸrte× |
naiv˜nyath˜ kv˜pyavik˜riõaste
vin˜hamadhy˜samamuÿya saÕs®ti× || 306||
sdEkêpSy sadaikar¨pasya (for you) who are eternally the same icdaTmn> cid˜tmana× (for) the Knowledge-Absolute iv-ae> vibho× (for) the Omnipresent AanNdmUteR> ˜nandam¨rte× (for) Bliss-Absolute Anv*kIteR> anavadyakŸrte× of unsullied glory n @v na eva never ANywa anyath˜ otherwise Kv Aip kva api in the least Aivkair[> avik˜riõa× for the Immutable One te te for you ivna vin˜ without Ahm! AXyasm! aham adhy˜saÕ (your) identification with the ego Amu:y amuÿya to this s<s&it> saÕs®ti× transmigration
But for your identification with the ego-sense there cannot be any transmigration for you, who are Immutable and eternally the same Knowledge-Absolute, omnipresent, of unsullied glory, and Bliss-Absolute.  

tasm˜dahaðk˜ramimaÕ svaþatruÕ
bhokturgale kaõ÷akavatpratŸtam |
vicchidya vijñ˜namah˜sin˜ sphu÷aÕ
bhuðkÿv˜tmas˜mr˜jyasukhaÕ yatheÿ÷am || 307||
tSmat! tasm˜t therefore Ah<karm! ahaðk˜raÕ ego-sense #mm! imaÕ this SvzÇum! svaþatruÕ your enemy -aeKtu> bhoktu× of the enjoyer(of the eater) gle gale in the throat k{qkvt! kaõ÷akavat like a thorn àtItm! pratŸtam (which) appears iviCD* vicchidya having destroyed iv}anmhaisna vijñ˜namah˜sin˜ with the great sword of Realisation S)…qm! sphu÷aÕ directly -u'oeúv bhuðkÿva enjoy AaTmsaèaJysuom! ˜tmas˜mr˜jyasukhaÕ the Bliss of Your own Domain(empire) or Sovereignty yweòm! yatheÿ÷aÕ freely
Therefore, with the great sword of Realisation, destroying this ego-sense, your enemy---which is like a thorn in the throat of a  
man who is eating---enjoy directly and freely the Bliss of Your own Sovereignty, the Majesty of the Self.
 .
tato'ham˜dervinivartya v®ttiÕ
santyaktar˜ga× param˜rthal˜bh˜t |
t¨ÿõŸÕ sam˜ssv˜tmasukh˜nubh¨ty˜
p¨rõ˜tman˜ brahmaõi nirvikalpa× || 308||
tt> tata× thereafter Ahmade> aham˜de× of the ego etc ivinvTyR vinivartya checking v&iÄm! v®ttiÕ the activities s<TyKtrag> santyaktar˜ga× renouncing all attachments prmawRla-at! param˜rthal˜bh˜t through the experience of the Supreme Reality tU:[Im! t¨ÿõŸÕ serene smaSSv sam˜ssva be AaTmsuoanu-UTya ˜tmasukh˜nubh¨ty˜ through the enjoyment of Bliss of the Self pU[aRTmna p¨rõ˜tman˜ as the Infinite Self äüi[ brahmaõi in Brahman inivRkLp> nirvikalpa× free from duality  
Checking the activities of the ego and renouncing all attachments, through the experience of the Supreme Reality, be free from duality through the enjoyment of the Bliss of the Self and remain serene in Brahman. For, now you have realized your Infinite Self.

sam¨lak®tto'pi mah˜nahaÕ puna×
vyullekhita× sy˜dyadi cetas˜ kÿaõam |
sañjŸvya vikÿepaþataÕ karoti
nabhasvat˜ pr˜v®ÿi v˜rido yath˜ || 309||
smUlk«Ä> sam¨lak®tta× completely rooted out Aip api even though mhan! Ahm! mah˜n ahaÕ terrible ego-sense pun> puna× again VyuLleiot> vyullekhita× revived Syat! sy˜t be yid yadi if cetsa cetas˜ in the mind ][m! kÿaõam for a moment s<jIVy sañjŸvya returning to life iv]epztm! vikÿepaþataÕ hundreds of mischiefs or distractions kraeit karoti creates n-Svta nabhasvat˜ by the wind àav&i; pr˜v®ÿi during the rainy season vaird> v˜rida× the cloud ywa yath˜ like  
Even though completely rooted out, this terrible ego-sense, if allowed to be revived in the mind even for a moment, returns to life and creates hundreds of distractions, like a cloud ushered in by the wind during the rainy season.
Actions, thoughts and vasanas – renounce (verses 310-319)

nig®hya þatrorahamo'vak˜þa×
kvacinna deyo viÿay˜nucintay˜ |
sa eva sañjŸvanaheturasya
prakÿŸõajambŸrataroriv˜mbu || 310||
ing&ý nig®hya having owerpowered or conquered zÇae> þatro× to the enemy Ahm> ahama× to the ego-sense Avkaz> avak˜þa× rest Kvict! kvacit in the least n dey> na deya× should not be given iv;y AnuicNtya viÿaya anucintay˜ ruminating over sense-objects s @v sa eva that alone s<jIvnhetu> sañjŸvanahetu× the cause of returning to life or revival ASy asya its à]I[ prakÿŸõa dried up jMbIrtrae> jambŸrataro× of a citron tree #v iva like AMbu ambu water  
Having once conquered this enemy, the ego, not a single moment‘s rest should be given to let it ruminate over the sense-objects. That is just what brings it back to life, just like water revives a dried-up citron tree.

deh˜tman˜ saÕsthita eva k˜mŸ
vilakÿaõa× k˜mayit˜ kathaÕ sy˜t |
ato'rthasandh˜naparatvameva
bhedaprasakty˜ bhavabandhahetu× || 311||
dehaTmna deh˜tman˜ identified with the body s<iSwt saÕsthita he who lives @v eva alone kamI k˜mŸ is greedy ivl][> vilakÿaõa× one distinct (from body) kamiyta k˜mayit˜ greedy kwm! kathaÕ how Syat! sy˜t can be At> ata× hence AwRsNxan prTvm! arthasandh˜na paratvaÕ the tendency to ruminate over sense-objects @v eva indeed -edàsKTya bhedaprasakty˜ with  
the firm idea of duality -vbNxhetu> bhavabandhahetu× the cause for the "bondage of becoming"
That person alone, who identifies with the body, is greedy of sense-pleasures. How can one devoid of the body-idea be greedy? Hence, the tendency to ruminate over sense-objects is verily the cause of bondage of worldly existence and the sense of duality.

k˜ryapravardhan˜dbŸjaprav®ddhi× parid®þyate |
k˜ryan˜þ˜dbŸjan˜þastasm˜tk˜ryaÕ nirodhayet || 312||
kayRàvxRnat! k˜ryapravardhan˜t because of the growth of the effects bIjàv&iÏ> bŸjaprav®ddhi× the growth of the "seeds" pir†Zyte parid®þyate is observed kayRnazat! k˜ryan˜þ˜t with the destruction of the effects bIjnaz> bŸjan˜þa× (there is) the destruction of the seeds tSmat! tasm˜t therefore kayRm! k˜ryaÕ the effects inraexyet! nirodhayet one must control, must subdue
When the ‗effects‘ are flourishing, the ‗seeds‘ also are observed to increase. When the ‗effects‘ are destroyed, the ‗seeds‘ also are destroyed. Therefore, the ‗effect‘ must be subdued.

v˜san˜v®ddhita× k˜ryaÕ k˜ryav®ddhy˜ ca v˜san˜ |
vardhate sarvath˜ puÕsa× saÕs˜ro na nivartate || 313||
vasnav&iÏt> v˜san˜v®ddhita× through the increase of vasanas kayRm! k˜ryaÕ (ego-centric) "work" kayRv&Ï(a k˜ryav®ddhy˜ through the increase of effects c ca and vasna v˜san˜ the vasana vxRte vardhate increases svRwa sarvath˜ by all means pu<s> puÕsa× of man s<sar> saÕs˜ra× transmigration n na not invtRte nivartate comes to an end
Through the increase of desires (vasanas), egocentric ‗work‘ increases and when there is an increase of egocentric ‗work‘ there is an increase of desires also. Thus, a person‘s transmigration never comes to an end.
Note: The Sanskrit word ―vasana is a difficult word to translate. It can denote both the ―desire as well as ― residual impression. A repeated desire also creates or leaves subtle impression behind such that it settles as a ―tendency or becomes sanskaara. These sanskaras (latent tendencies) is what we bring to sansaara, the world of becoming. Although, more often than not, the word vasana is used with negative connotations, however, not all vasanas are bad. For example, a quintessential vedantic text, Avadhut Gita, begins with the verse stating that the advaita-vasana (the desire for non-duality) arises only with the Grace of God to liberate one from the great fear.

saÕs˜rabandhavicchittyai tad dvayaÕ pradahedyati× |
v˜san˜v®ddhiret˜bhy˜Õ cintay˜ kriyay˜ bahi× || 314||  
s<sarbNxiviCDÅyE saÕs˜rabandhavicchittyai to snap the chain-of-transmigration tdoe Öym! tad dvayaÕ those two àdhet! pradahet should burn to ashes yit> yati× the seeker vasnav&iÏ> v˜san˜v®ddhi× the increase in vasanas @ta_yam! et˜bhy˜Õ due to these two icNtya cintay˜ thinking of sense-objects i³yya kriyay˜ by (selfish) actions bih> bahi× external
In order to snap the chain-of-transmigration, one should burn to ashes these two (selfish desires and actions); for, dwelling on sense-objects and doing selfish actions lead to the increase of vasanas or desires.

t˜bhy˜Õ pravardham˜n˜ s˜ s¨te saÕs®tim˜tmana× |
tray˜õ˜Õ ca kÿayop˜ya× sarv˜vasth˜su sarvad˜ || 315||
ta_yam! t˜bhy˜Õ by these two àvxRmana pravardham˜n˜ augmented or nourished sa that (vasana) sUte s¨te produces s<s&itm! saÕs®tiÕ transmigration AaTmn> ˜tmana× one's Çya[am! tray˜õ˜Õ of these three c ca and ]y %pay> kÿaya up˜ya× the means of destruction  
svR AvSwasu sarva avasth˜su under all circumstances svRda sarvad˜ always
Nourished by these two (thought and selfish action), the vasanas further produce one‘s transmigration. These three, however, are destroyed by looking upon everything, under all circumstances, always....

sarvatra sarvata× sarvabrahmam˜tr˜valokanai× |
sadbh˜vav˜san˜d˜rýhy˜ttattrayaÕ layamaþnute || 316||
svRÇ sarvatra everywhere svRt> sarvata× in all respects svR sarva all äümaÇ AvlaeknE> brahmam˜tra avalokanai× by looking upon everything as pure Brahman alone sÑavvasnadaF(aRt! sadbh˜vav˜san˜d˜rýhy˜t through the strong thinking of the longing to be one with Reality tt! Çym! tat trayaÕ these three lym! AZnute layam aþnute get annihilated
.......everywhere and in all respects, as Brahman and Brahman alone. Through the strengthening of the longing to be one with Brahman, those three* will be annihilated.
*i.e., dwelling on sense-obects, self-centered actions, and latent impressions.


kriy˜n˜þe bhaveccint˜n˜þo'sm˜dv˜san˜kÿaya× |
v˜san˜prakÿayo mokÿa× s˜ jŸvanmuktiriÿyate || 317||
i³yanaze kriy˜n˜þe with the end of selfish actions -vet! bhavet there is icNtanaz> cint˜n˜þa× the end of brooding ASmat! asm˜t by this vasna]y> v˜san˜kÿaya× the destruction of vasanas vasnaà]y> v˜san˜prakÿaya× the total destruction of vasanas mae]> mokÿa× (is) liberation sa that jIvNmuiKt> jŸvanmukti× liberation-in-life #:yte iÿyate is considered
With the end of selfish actions, brooding over sense-objects ends, which is followed by destruction of vasanas. The final destruction of vasanas is liberation. This is regarded as Liberation-in-Life.

sadv˜san˜sph¨rtivij®mbhaõe sati
hyasau vilŸn˜pyaham˜div˜san˜ |
atiprak®ÿ÷˜pyaruõaprabh˜y˜Õ
vilŸyate s˜dhu yath˜ tamisr˜ || 318||  
sÖasna sadv˜san˜ the longing for Reality S)ªitR ivj&M-[e sit sph¨rti vij®mbhaõe sati when has vividly risen to expression ih hi verily AsaE asau this ivlIna vilŸn˜ (will)disappear Aip api also Ahmaidvasna aham˜div˜san˜ the ego-centric vasana Aitàk«òa atiprak®ÿ÷˜ the most intense Aip api even though Aé[ à-ayam! aruõa prabh˜y˜Õ in the glow of the rising sun ivlIyte vilŸyate disappears saxu s˜dhu completely ywa yath˜ just as timöa tamisr˜ darkness
When the longing to be one with Brahman has vividly risen to expression, the ego-centric vasanas will readily disappear, as the most intense darkness completely disappears in the radiant glow of the rising sun.

tamastama×k˜ryamanarthaj˜laÕ
na d®þyate satyudite dineþe |
tath˜'dvay˜nandaras˜nubh¨tau
na v˜sti bandho na ca du×khagandha× || 319||  
tm> tama× darkness tm> kayRm! tama× k˜ryaÕ resultant evils of darkness AnwRjalm! anarthaj˜laÕ numerous calamities n †Zyte na d®þyate are not noticed sit %idte idneze sati udite dineþe when the sun has risen twa tath˜ so too AÖy AanNd rs Anu-UtaE advaya ˜nanda rasa anubh¨tau on realisation of the Essence of the Non-dual Bliss n na neither va verily AiSt asti there is bNx> bandha× bondage n na nor c ca and Ê>ogNx> du×khagandha× the lease trace of misery
Darkness and its resultant evils are not noticed when the sun rises. So too, on the direct realization of Bliss Absolute, there is neither bondage nor the least trace of misery.




Om Tat Sat
                                                        
(Continued...) 


(My humble salutations to the lotus feet of H H Sri Chinmayananda ji and
H H Sri Acharya Pranipata Chaitanya ji   for the collection)



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