Shankar’s Bhaja Govindam - Seek The Spirit
Composed by Adi Shankar Acharya, Bhaja Govindam is one of the most lucid, insightful works of Vedanta. he first verse, which is the chorus, coneys its theme. Seek the higher, the Spirit. o not get distracted by trivial attractions the world as these will not stand by you while you face the greatest challenge of fee, death. Through the text Shankara resents life from another perspective, ratipaksha bhavana, highlighting the tility of mundane enchantments. Adi Shankara is credited with revival Vedanta throughout India. His works e classified into three main categories. hashyas are commentaries on the panishads, Gita and Brahmaputra’s. cotras are devotional compositions and rakarana Grant has are introductory anualsfor the Gita and other scriptures. Bhaja Govindam belongs to the class stores. However, as the verses contain deep Vedantic thought, it is often included as a prakarana, introductory text. The style is simple and its melody appealing. Each of its 31 verses is relevant to our lives. Another name for this text is Moha Mudgara, meaning, remover of delusion. Once, as Shankara and his disciples were travelling through Varanasi, he overheard an old pundit memorise Panini's grammar rules. This inspired a masterful oration by Shankara that we callthe Bhaja Govindam. The opening stanza is the chorus. Tradition has it that the next 12 verses were spoken by the great master himself. These are called Dvadashamanjarika Stotram, a bouquet of 12 stanzaflowers.Just as a bouquet of fresh flowers can beappreciated even from afar, the Bhaja Govindam can be appreciated merely by listening to its melodious chant. Those who approach the flower enjoy its fragrance. Similarly, those who understand the meaning of the verses gain useful instructions on life. But only the bee that enters the flower gains the nectar. Similarly, those who absorb and live the philosophy of the Bhaja Govindam evolve spiritually. So inspiring was Shankara's oration that each of his 14 disciples added a verse each. These 14 verses form the Chaturdasha Manjarika Stotram. After listening to his students, Shankara blesses the seekers in the last four verses. The Bhaja Govindam deals -kanchana, acquisition of wealth, and kamini, enjoyment of it. We accumulate wealth for duhkha nivrutti, security against sorrow, And by the second motivation, we indulge in sukha prapti, enjoyment of accumulated wealth. Shankara encourages us to seek happiness within. He asserts thawhether one is in spiritual practice o engaged in sensual enjoyment, whethone finds pleasure in company or solitude is immaterial. What gives unhappiness is keeping the mind anchoin Brahmn. All you need to do for this isstudythe Gita just a little, develop gratitude for allthat has been bestowed on you a become service-minded. If not, you wibe subject to the endless cycle of birth and death. Urging us to get over our obsessiomwith the trivialities of the world Shankara asks us to begin the search for the Divine Self within. He reminds us thawe are not human beings goingthrougspiritual experience but that very Spirgoing through a human experience. SC together, we must work towards lifting ourselves out of our delusion, moha,togreater heights of awareness.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Jaya Ro views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: Jaya Row and Speaking Tree,Times of India
Shankar’s Bhaja Govindam - Seek The Spirit
Composed by Adi Shankar Acharya, Bhaja Govindam is one of the most lucid, insightful works of Vedanta. he first verse, which is the chorus, coneys its theme. Seek the higher, the Spirit. o not get distracted by trivial attractions the world as these will not stand by you while you face the greatest challenge of fee, death. Through the text Shankara resents life from another perspective, ratipaksha bhavana, highlighting the tility of mundane enchantments. Adi Shankara is credited with revival Vedanta throughout India. His works e classified into three main categories. hashyas are commentaries on the panishads, Gita and Brahmaputra’s. cotras are devotional compositions and rakarana Grant has are introductory anualsfor the Gita and other scriptures. Bhaja Govindam belongs to the class stores. However, as the verses contain deep Vedantic thought, it is often included as a prakarana, introductory text. The style is simple and its melody appealing. Each of its 31 verses is relevant to our lives. Another name for this text is Moha Mudgara, meaning, remover of delusion. Once, as Shankara and his disciples were travelling through Varanasi, he overheard an old pundit memorise Panini's grammar rules. This inspired a masterful oration by Shankara that we callthe Bhaja Govindam. The opening stanza is the chorus. Tradition has it that the next 12 verses were spoken by the great master himself. These are called Dvadashamanjarika Stotram, a bouquet of 12 stanzaflowers.Just as a bouquet of fresh flowers can beappreciated even from afar, the Bhaja Govindam can be appreciated merely by listening to its melodious chant. Those who approach the flower enjoy its fragrance. Similarly, those who understand the meaning of the verses gain useful instructions on life. But only the bee that enters the flower gains the nectar. Similarly, those who absorb and live the philosophy of the Bhaja Govindam evolve spiritually. So inspiring was Shankara's oration that each of his 14 disciples added a verse each. These 14 verses form the Chaturdasha Manjarika Stotram. After listening to his students, Shankara blesses the seekers in the last four verses. The Bhaja Govindam deals -kanchana, acquisition of wealth, and kamini, enjoyment of it. We accumulate wealth for duhkha nivrutti, security against sorrow, And by the second motivation, we indulge in sukha prapti, enjoyment of accumulated wealth. Shankara encourages us to seek happiness within. He asserts thawhether one is in spiritual practice o engaged in sensual enjoyment, whethone finds pleasure in company or solitude is immaterial. What gives unhappiness is keeping the mind anchoin Brahmn. All you need to do for this isstudythe Gita just a little, develop gratitude for allthat has been bestowed on you a become service-minded. If not, you wibe subject to the endless cycle of birth and death. Urging us to get over our obsessiomwith the trivialities of the world Shankara asks us to begin the search for the Divine Self within. He reminds us thawe are not human beings goingthrougspiritual experience but that very Spirgoing through a human experience. SC together, we must work towards lifting ourselves out of our delusion, moha,togreater heights of awareness.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Jaya Ro views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: Jaya Row and Speaking Tree,Times of India