Maneesha panchakam.pdf - drsarma.in

Maneesha Panchakam
Sri Sankara Bhagavat Paada’s Immortal Creation

3
About This Hymn
• A marvelous creation of Jagad Guru
Sri Adi Sankaracharya
• The message of „Equality‟
• One of most Secular teachings
• Instructs us to love our fellow men
• Irrespective of their nature
• Supplements our Gurwastakam lesson

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Title Interpretation
• Maneesha = The Firm Conviction
• Panchakam = Expressed in five verses
• Who is the eye opener here?
• Lord Siva himself
• The pen of our revered Jagad Guru
Sri Adi Sankaracharya expounds these.

5
Who are We ?
• Even the very evolved might have
wrong perception of „Reality‟
• How significant are the extraneous
differences?
• Isn‟t the inner SELF the same!
• The five fold understanding
• Using a scenario

6
Satyaachaary asya gamanae
kadaachin mukti daayakam,
Kaasee kshaetram prati saha
Gouryaa maargae tu Sankaram,

Interpretation
7
asya
mukti daayakam
Kaasee kshaetram
kadaachin
satyaacharya
gamane
prati
maargae tu
saha Gourya
Sankaram
In that
Sacred and fulfilling
pious city of Varanasi,
once upon a time
a sacred & learned man
was on a stroll.
Opposite to (the man)
on that very street
along with Gouri devi
Lord Sankara (had come)

8
One day in Varanaasi
• Once, a great godly man is on a stroll in the
famous, heavenly place–the Varanaasi
• During his walk after his ritualistic, sacred
and purified bath he came juxtaposed to
• two people – a man and his consort walking
opposite to him almost bumping into his way.
• The strange couple were none other than
The LORD SIVA and PARVATHI.

9
Antya vaesha dharam drushtwaa
gachcha gachchaeti cha abraveet,
Sankarah so api chandaalah
tam punah praaha Sankaram,

Interpretation
10
drustwa
vaesha dharam
antya
abraveet
gachcha
cha
gachchaeti
sankarah so api
chandaalah
tam
Sankaram
punah praaha
On seeing
the couple in the attire of
a downtrodden family,
uttered (the learned man)
Get away.. You….
also ….(scornfully)
Get away.. etc.,
Even though he is Lord Siva
in disguise of the downtrodden
to that learned man
The Lord Sankara
In reply said as follows….

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Go Away, Go Away
• The couple is in the disguise of a lowly placed
and unkempt downtrodden family
• This learned and holy man, though very well
versed in Atma Jnaana, not recognizing the
true nature of the persons coming into him
• uttered the words, you…. Go away, Go away,
Go aloof - in some form of scorn and hatred
• Then, Parama Siva in the chandaala roopam
replied to the learned man as follows…

12
Annamaayaad annamayam athavaa
chaitanyam yaeva chaitanyaat
yativara dooree kartum vaanchasi
kim broohi gachcha gachchaeti ?

13
Interpretation
Yati vara O! Best among the learned!
Broohi
You shout (scornfully) to
Gachcha Get away
Gachchaeti Get away etc….
Kim
Whom (out of hatred)
Vaanchasi You strongly desire to
Dooree kartum keep at a distance, keep aloof ?
Annamayaad Is it my body made from food, it is
Annamayam same as yours nourished by food
Atha vaa if not, perhaps if it is
Chaitanyam the inner sentient energy in me
Yaeva
it is also the
Chaitanyaat same as your inner sentient energy

14
Sir, Whom are you hating ?
• Lord Parama Siva spoke as follows
• Oh ! The perfect man of Self realization -
• Sir, I wish to know, whom are you addressing to
get away from your esteemed presence out of
hatred ?
• Do you mean the physical body of us – it‟s one
and the same for all !!
• If you mean the internal cosmic energy within
us, it‟s all the more same in all !

15
pratyag vastuni nistaranga sahaja
ananda avabodha ambudhou vipro
ayam swapacho ayamity api
mahaan ko ayam vibhaedha bhramah ?

16
Interpretation
pratyag vastuni
nis-taranga
ambudhou
sahaja ananda
avabodha
mahaan
ko
ayam
vibhedha bramah
ayam vipro
ity api
ayam shwapacho
The indwelling essence in all is
the wave less and steady
ocean called the
innate, natural Bliss Absolute;
This is the perfect understanding.
O! Great soul, (for you too)
why is
this (very hatred inducing)
illusion of discrimination (that)
one is learned and a Brahmin
and that the other
one is an outcaste (Chandaala)

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For You too Sir, This Illusion
• The Parama Siva continues his query
• Isn‟t the indwelling essence in all of us the same
wave-less and steady ocean called the innate and
natural Bliss Absolute;
• While this should be the perfect understanding of
the learned, (for you too)
• O! Great soul, why is this (indeed hatred inducing)
illusion of discrimination (that)
• one is learned and a Brahmin and that the other
one is an outcaste and is untouchable!

18
kim gangaambudhi binbitae ambara
manou chandaala veedhee payah
poorae vaa antaramasti kaanchana
ghatee mrit kumbhayorva ambarae?

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Interpretation
Ganga ambudhi Be it in the sacred waters of Ganges
payah poorae vaa or in the cesspools situated in
chandaala veedhi the slum dwellers‟ lanes,
bimbita in reflected and shining
ambara manou the jewel of the sky, the Sun
antaram kim what difference
asthi (vaa) does exist ? and also
kaanchana ghatee be it a golden vessel
mrit kumbha yor or be in an earthen pot,
ambarae vaa in the reflected sky also
antaram kim what difference
asthi does exist !! Absolutely the same !

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What is the difference ?
• The precious jewel of the sky, the Sun
• isn‟t he shining in the same way in this very
sacred and holy waters of this river - the
mother Ganges and
• in the polluted cesspools there in the dirty
lanes of the slum dwellers (outcaste)?
• Will the reflected sky be inferior in an earthen
pot, compared to the one in a golden vessel !
• Aren‟t the Sun and the Sky absolutely the
same without any difference

The Five Golden Verses
21

22
jaagratswapna sushuptishu sphutataraa yaa sam vidujjrimbhatae
yaa brahmaadi pipeelika anta thanushu prothaa jagat saakshinee,
saiva aham na cha drisya vastwiti drudha prajnaapi yasya asti chaet
chandaalostu sa tu dwijosthu gurur ityaeshaa maneeshaa mama.

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Interpretation
jaagrat
swapna
sushupti shu
sputa taraa
jrumbhatae
sam vidu
yaa
protaa
Brahma adi
pipeelika anta
thanu shu
saakshinee
jagat
In the wakeful state,
in dreaming state and
also in the deep sleep state
that which very clearly
shines in all beings and
perfectly knows every thing;
That which is
embedded and indwelling
from the Creator onwards
up to the ant,
all living bodies and
which is the witness
for all worldly activity;

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Interpretation
sa yaeva aham And that which is
na cha drusya not to be perceived by us
vastvu iti as an object to be -
api drudha in spite of firm knowledge
prajnaa
of material things;
asthi chaeth It remains verily the same
chandaalo in the down trodden (outcaste)
asthu
very much exists
sa tu
in the same way as
asthu dwijo it exists in the learned (Brahmin)
maneesha mama My firm understanding is that
yaesha
Great one who inculcates this concept
Gurur iti
is the real preceptor.

My Firm Conviction
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Oh! Let‟s learn that the indwelling (pratyag) atma
is distinctly shining with in all the three states;
namely the wakeful, the dreaming and the deep
sleep states. It is the invisible thread embedded in
us and it is the witness with in all from the Creator
up to the tiny ant. It is not a cognizable object in
spite of any amount of material intelligence. It is
very much the same in one and all irrespective of
any caste, creed or kind ! My firm understanding is
that the great one who inculcates this concept is
the real preceptor.

26
Brahmaivaaham idam jagachcha sakalam chinmaatra vistaaritam
sarwam chaitad avidyayaa trigunayaa saesham mayaa kalpitam,
iththam yasya dridha matih sukhatarae nityae parae nirmalae
chandaalostu sa tu dwijostu gurur ityaeshaa maneeshaa mama.

Interpretation
27
Brahmaiva
aham
idam jagat cha
sakalam
chinmaatra
vistharitam
sarwam chaithath
avidyayaa
thrigunayaa
sesham
mayaa
kalipitam
The Brahman indeed is
the inner Self or “I”
in this very universe too,
in every thing
the subtle conscious form
is perfectly unfolding itself.
All this sentient world
borne of nescience
by the play of the three gunas
remains as (divided but it in fact)
by me
imagined to be diverse.

Interpretation
28
yasya
dhruda matih
iththam
nityae
parae
nirmale
sukhatarae
asthu
chandaalo
sa tu
asthu dwijo
maneesha mama
yaesha
Gurur iti
Who so ever, he may be
that person of firm conviction
who understands the Brahman
resides permanently as the
the Supreme
uncontaminated (taint less)
extreme Bliss.
May be he is
an outcaste
in the same way,
may be he is a Brahmin.
My firm understanding is
that Great one with this concept
is the real preceptor.

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My Firm Conviction
I am none other than a part and parcel of the Brahman (The
Absolute). I am dwelling on the pure and infinite Brahman
and I am the very Brahman. This universe is glittering with
infinite glow by the power of the chaitanya or unlimited
sentient energy of the Absolute. Apparently the universe is
assumed (by us) to consist of diverse and different things,
due to (our) ignorance (avidya or nescience) borne out of
the three gunas (Sattva, Rajas and Tamas). He who firmly
believes with perfect understanding of this unity in diversity,
for me, he is the adorable great Master, irrespective of
whether he is a brahmin or an outcaste. This is my perfect
understanding.

30
saswan naswaramaeva viswam akhilam nischitya vaachaa guroh
nityam brahma nirantaram vimrisataa nirwyaaja saanta atmanaa,
bhootam bhaavi cha dushkritam pradahataa samvinmayae paavakae
praarabdhaaya samarpitam swavapur ityaeshaa maneeshaa mama.

Interpretation
31
Viswam akhilam
saswat yaeva
naswaram
nischitya
Guror vaacha
Brahma
nityam
nirantaram
vimrusataa
nirvyaaja
santa atmanaa
This entire universe
apparently continuing,
is perishable and impermanent
as per the decisive
proclamation of the Lord.
The Brahman is (indeed)
permanent and everlasting and
is undifferentiated and peerless,
(if one) analyzed carefully with
an untainted, unaffected,
peaceful and tranquil intelligence.

Interpretation
32
swa vapur
samarpitam
prarabdaaya
dushkritam
bhootam
bhaavi cha
yaesha
pradahdataa
pavakae
sam vinmayae
iti
maneesha mama
Our physical (differences in) bodies,
are the products of
the imprints of all our previous
sinful deeds - those
pertaining to the past
and to future (and present too).
The one who
perfectly reduces them to ashes
in the flaming fire (of knowledge)
is the one of best understanding.
This
is my firm conviction.

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My Firm Conviction
This entire universe, apparently continuing, is perishable and
impermanent as per the decisive proclamation of the Lord.
The Brahman, indeed, is permanent, everlasting and is
undifferentiated and peerless, if one analyzed carefully with
an untainted, unaffected, peaceful and tranquil intelligence.
The differences in our physical bodies are the products of
imprints of all our previous sinful/good deeds - pertaining to
the past, present and future. The one who perfectly reduces
these imprints to ashes in the flaming fire of knowledge is the
best informed. This is my perfect conviction.

34
yaa thiryagnara dhaevathaabhirahamithyamthah sphutaa grihyathae
yadhbhaasaa hridhayaaksha dhaehavishayaa bhaanthi swatho chaethanaah,
thaam bhaasyaih pihithaarkamandala nibhaam sphoorthim sadhaa bhaavayan
yogee nirvrithamaanaso hi gururithyaeshaa maneeshaa mama.

Interpretation
yaa
That which (the inner consciousness)
sphutaa
very clearly
grihyatae
is perceived
aham iti
as the „I‟
anthah
within
thiryangn
all the animals,
nara
the human beings
devathaabhir and the gods too.
yad bhaaasa By the effulgence of
swatho
this pure self,
chaethanaa the inner consciousness
vishayaa
the sense objects are
bhaanthi
perceived (illuminated) by
hridaya, daeha the mind, the body and
aksha
eyes etc., sense organs.
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Interpretation
36
thaam
bhaasai hi
pihitha
arka mandala
nibham
yogee
nirvrutha
spoorthim
sadaa bhhavayan
Maanaso hi
maneesha mama
yaesha
Gurur iti
The very mind, body and sense organs
though illuminated by this (consciousness)
apparently cloud this consciousness,
just as the effulgent Sun is
concealed by the clouds (caused by the sun).
That person of perfect realization
with complete and clear understanding
due to his wisdom,
ever meditates on this
verily in his mind.
My firm understanding is
that Great one with this concept
is the real preceptor.

37
My Firm Conviction
The Self or pure consciousness is experienced clearly within
by all animals, human beings and the gods alike as the „I‟. It is
by the reflection of this pure consciousness that the mind,
sense organs and the body which are insentient, appear to be
sentient. External objects are perceived only because of this.
This Self is, however, concealed by this very mind, senses and
body which are illuminated by it, just as the Sun is concealed
by the clouds. A person of perfect realization and wisdom due
to his complete and clear understanding ever meditates in his
mind on this supreme consciousness. Such a person is the
real preceptor. This is my perfect conviction.

38
yathsaukhyaambudhi laesalaesatha imae sakraadhayo nirvrithaa
yachchiththae nitharaam prashaanthakalanae labdhvaa munirnirvrithah
yasmin nithya sukhaambudhau galithadheer brahmaiva na brahmavidh
yah kaschit sasuraendhra vandhithapado noonam maneeshaa mama ||

Interpretation
39
yat
ambudhi
soukhya
laesa laesatha
imae
nirvritha
aakra adayo
prasaantha kalana
chittae
yat
na ithraam
munir
labdwaa
nirvritha
The Self (Brahman) is
the eternal ocean of
Supreme Bliss.
A minute fraction of
this (Bliss Supreme) is
adequate to satisfy
the Indra and other celestials.
Meditating with a perfectly calm
mind only
on this (Bliss Supreme)
and not by any other special means,
the sages
experience
adequate fulfillment.

Interpretation
40
Yasmin
Whose
dhee
mind (intellect) is
nithya
always (ever)
galitha
identified (unified) with
ambudhao
this eternal ocean of
sukha
the Bliss Supreme,
na brahmavid is not a mere knower of the Brahman, but
brahmaiva
is the Brahman itself.
Sa
Such a person (as described above),
yah kaschit whosoever he may be (no matter at all) -
pado
his feet are
vanditha
worthy to be worshipped
surendra
by the Indra (and all other gods).
noonam
Certain (definite)
maneesha mama this is my firm understanding.

Certain, this is my firm conviction
41
The Self (Brahman) is the eternal ocean of Supreme Bliss. A
minute fraction of this Bliss Supreme is adequate to satisfy
the Indra and other celestials. Only by meditating with a
perfectly calm mind on this Bliss Supreme, and not by any
other special means, the sages experience adequate
fulfillment. Whose intellect is ever unified with the eternal
ocean of this Bliss Supreme, he is not a mere knower of the
Brahman, but he is the Brahman itself. Such a person,
whosoever he may be, and no matter at all, his feet are
worthy to be worshipped by the Indra and all other gods.
Definite, this is my firm understanding.

The Epilogue
42
daasasthae aham daehadrishtya asmi Sambho
jaathasthaeso jeeva drishtyaa thri drishtyae
sarvasya athman athma drishtyaa thwamaeva
thwaevam mae dheer nishchithaa sarva saasthraih ||

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The Epilogue
O! Lord, the three eye one (who is the all knower of the
past, present and future)! In the form of this physical
equipment, the body, I am the servant of You and thus of
all. In the form of the life principle with in me, I am the
part and parcel of You and thus of all. In the form the
soul, You are within me and similarly in every other being
or animal or thing that I behold. I have arrived at this
conclusion after thorough reflection in my intellect -
illuminated by all the sacred texts.

The perfect Realization
44
• Thus after this perfect instruction about the
Atma Jnaana and the shock treatment rendered
to him
• The holy man experienced and perfectly
understood - what is real and what is unreal
• Surrendered his ego before the feet of the
Supreme Consciousness (SIVA)
• Instantaneously, he could visualize the almighty
Parama Siva and Parvathi in front of him.
• From that very moment he perceived GOD in all

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Echoes in Geeta
• Vidya vinaya sampannae brahmanae……..
……………………panditaah sama darsinah |
• Yo mam pasyati sarvatra sarvam cha …….
……..…………… sa cha mae na pranasyati |
• Sarvasya cha aham hridi sannivisto ……..
……vedanta krit veda vidaeva cha aham |
V- 18
VI- 30
XV- 15

46
Beware !!
Untouchability is
the greatest sin
……Gandhiji

Are we Greater than any
other in any one aspect ?

48
Kaasee panditunaku Sankaruditu
chaesina upadaesamu vinumaa
Vaasigan aatma jnaanamu nepudoo
Vadalaka madilo nidukonumaa ||