Great Masters – Adi Shankaracharya

How many Great Masters walked on this earth!!! How many are living amongst us even now!!! We are truly blessed to be a part of this rich tradition of great saints who taught us, in simple terms, who we really are!!! Most of us are still searching. Many of us are still looking at the future for that priceless knowledge while being completely ignorant about the fact that this knowledge exists very much in our present. We belong to a great tradition of enlightened masters, who expected nothing in return, for their kindness, compassion and unconditional love. Today, my mind wanders in the path of the great Shankara – Adi Shankaracharya.

How can a simple man like me explain about a great Master like Shankaracharya? How can I even attempt to embark on such an adventure? Oh Lord, pardon my arrogance…

Shankaracharya flows through every seeker. He is the in-dweller, the Guru aspect of our substratum. He is the soul of Vedanta. Vedanta flowed through him. At the age of 8, when his teacher asked him who he was, Nirvana Shatakam flowed from this young boy. Nirvana Shatakam is the essence of all scriptures. It is the core of Vedanta. If we understood it loud and clear, we have understood the whole secret of our existence. We need nothing more. Kindly read on…..

Guru Parampara

Sada Shiva Samarambham

Sankaracharya Madhyamam

Asmat Acharya Paryantham

Vande Guru Paramparaa

Thus, starting from the great Lord Shiva, through Shankaracharya and my acharya, the Guru Parampara eternally flows….

Oh, great Master – I offer my humble pranaams at your lotus feet. I prostrate at your lotus feet. Pardon my ignorance, allow me to taste the nectar of your supreme wisdom.

Nirvana Shatakam – By Adi Shankara

Mano Buddhi Ahankara Chitta Ninaham
Nacha Shrotra Jihve Na Cha Ghrana Netre
Nacha Vyoma Bhoomir Na Tejo Na Vayu
Chidananda Rupa Shivoham Shivoham

(I am not the mind, nor intellect, nor ego,
nor the reflections of the inner-self (chitta).
I am not the five senses.
I am beyond that.
I am not the ether, nor the earth, nor the fire, nor the wind (the five elements). I am indeed, that eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva, love and pure consciousness.)

 

Na Cha Prana Samjno Na Vai Pancha Vayu
Na Va Saptadhatur Na Va Pancha Koshah
Na Vak Pani Padau Na Chopastha Payu
Chidananda Rupa Shivoham Shivoham

(Neither can I be termed as energy (prana),
nor five types of breath (vayus),
nor the seven material essences,
nor the five coverings (pancha-kosha).
Neither am I the five instruments of elimination,
procreation, motion, grasping, or speaking.
I am indeed,
That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva,
love and pure consciousness.)

Na Me Dvesha Ragau Na Me Lobha Mohau
Mado Naiva Me Naiva Matsarya Bhavah
Na Dharmo Na Chartho Na Kamo Na Mokshah
Chidananda Rupa Shivoham Shivoham

(I have no hatred or dislike,
nor affiliation or liking,
nor greed,
nor delusion,
nor pride or haughtiness,
nor feelings of envy or jealousy.
I have no duty (dharma),
nor any money,
nor any desire (kama),
nor even liberation (moksha).
I am indeed,
That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva,
love and pure consciousness.)

Na Punyam Na Papam Na Saukhyam Na Dukham

Na Mantro Na Teertham Na Vedo Na Yajnaha

Aham Bhojanam Naiva Bhojyam Na Bhokta
Chidananda Rupa Shivoham Shivoham

(I have neither merit (virtue),
nor demerit (vice).
I do not commit sins or good deeds,
nor have happiness or sorrow,
pain or pleasure.
I do not need mantras, holy places,
scriptures (Vedas), rituals or sacrifices (yagnas).
I am none of the triad of
the observer or one who experiences,
the process of observing or experiencing,
or any object being observed or experienced.
I am indeed,
That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva,
love and pure consciousness.)

Na Me Mrityu Shanka Na Me Jati Bhedah
Pita Naiva Me Naiva Mata Na Janma
Na Bandhur Na Mitram Gurur Naiva Shishyah
Chidananda Rupa Shivoham Shivoham

(I do not have fear of death,
as I do not have death.
I have no separation from my true self,
no doubt about my existence,
nor have I discrimination on the basis of birth.
I have no father or mother,
nor did I have a birth.
I am not the relative,
nor the friend,
nor the guru,
nor the disciple.
I am indeed,
That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva,
love and pure consciousness.)

Aham Nirvikalpo Nirakara Roopaha
Vibhur Vyapya Sarvatra Sarvendriyanam
Sada Me Samatvam Na Muktir Na Bandhah
Chidananda Rupa Shivoham Shivoham

(I am all pervasive.
I am without any attributes,
and without any form.
I have neither attachment to the world,
nor to liberation (mukti).
I have no wishes for anything
because I am everything,
everywhere,
every time,
always in equilibrium.
I am indeed,
That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva,
love and pure consciousness.)

SHIVOHAM – I AM SHIVA

At the age of eight, Adi Shankaracharya embraced Sanyas. By the age of 16, he completed all what he ever wrote. He wrote many commentaries and shlokas (Verses). Between 16 and 32, he went up and down the mighty Bharat (India) twice, when there were no trains or aircrafts. He set up 4 monasteries at four corners to continue guiding fresh seekers on the path of jnana. He rejuvenated many temples which include the seat of wisdom, Kollur Mookambika temple and Badri Vishal temple at Badrinath in the Himalayas. He even structured the method of pooja (ritualistic worship of deities). He completed all these within 32 years. Who was HE? Was He the eternal Shiva Himself? We cannot remember him without sincere reverence from deep within. What a Master!!! What an Acharya!!! What a Saint!!! What a Jnani!!! What a life to live!!!

He taught us –

“Attachment, desire, pleasure, pain, etc., are perceived to exist so long as buddhi or the mind functions. They are not perceived in deep sleep when the mind ceases to exist. Therefore they belong to the mind alone and not to the Atman.”

Once again, I prostrate at the lotus feet of this great Master. May you all taste the nectar of his ever-flowing wisdom. May you all be supremely enlightened, with the grace and blessings of Shankaracharya.

God bless you

Love you

M

I bow to thee – Supreme Master!!!