As said in my introductory article, Vivekacudamani is a profound Vedanta text which teaches the difference between the Atma and Anatma and helps one to realize one’s nature.

Sri Adi Sankaracharya begins this text by saluting his guru Govinda Bhagavadpada who introduced him to Brahma vidya, which is considered as the highest knowledge in Indian tradition and attaining it is the highest achievement.

Acharya says that attaining human birth itself is Durlabah (rare) and striving for Brahma vidya is bahu durlabah (very rare).  When we understand the difference between the Atma and Anatma and identify with the Atma, which is the Reality, then that is the end of all sorrows and miseries.  The body-mind complex is the cause of all sorrows and it is the Anatma.  Having attained a human body and not striving for Brahma vidya is a foolish act.  Without attaining Brahma Vidya, one cannot attain liberation.  Worshiping of deities and performing rituals of karma kanda can purify the mind but only Brahma vidya can give liberation.  One can reach the path of liberation by doing good karma and performing rituals, but mukti (liberation) cannot be attained by good deeds and rituals alone.  One has to identify with the Self and merge in Brahman to attain mukti.  Mukti (liberation) means the Jiva understanding its true nature that it is Brahman and not the one that is limited by the mind and body.  When the Jiva realizes this, it no more mingles with the mind to take rebirth.  Then we say that the Jiva is liberated. For that, one must do enquiry (vichara) on the nature of the Self and discriminate between the Atma and anatma with the help of a Guru.  One must do enquiry and find out whether the body is the Self, or the mind is the Self or the Self is something else.  This text helps one to do vichara.

Now, who is eligible to study this text; Acharya says that one who has mumukshutvam (strong desire to attain liberation), and one who has purified the mind by sadhana chatushtaya will be benefited by this text.  In this context, the help of a guru is inevitable.  Gu means darkness, Ru means removal; Guru means one who removes the dark of ignorance, in this case, the ignorance about the nature of the Self.   Along with it one must have patience and self-discipline to attain liberation.  One must have the intellectual understanding that Brahma satya (Brahman is real) and jagad mitya (world is unreal).  An ordinary mind cannot accept this point so easily.  Hearing and learning scriptures and observation makes this point clearer. The basic quality needed to attain liberation is sadhana chatustaya (four-fold means) which is explained below.

The four -fold means (sadhana chatushtaya)

1. Discrimination (viveka)

The clear ability to tell the real from the unreal, and the eternal from the temporary

2. Dispassion(vairagyam)

Disgust arising from observation and learning in all objects of pleasure is known as Vairagyam.

3. The six mental virtues (shatsampatti)

1 Control of the mind (Sama)

The calming of the mind and withdrawing it from emotions and desires is called Sama.

2 Control of the senses (Dama)

Withdrawal of the senses from the sense objects.

3 Withdrawal (uparati)

Withdrawal is that which even the thought does not hold on to the sense objects.

Sama and Dama may not totally ensure wandering of mind on sense objects but Uparati        stops the mind from wandering.

4 Forbearance (Titiksha)

Endurance of adversities without reacting (retaliation) to them and without worry and   lament is called titiksha.

5 Faith (sraddha)

A firm conviction that the words of the scriptures and of the teacher are true is called  sraddha.  Brahman is attained by such faith.

6 Concentration of the mind (Samadhana)

The result of all these is Samadhanam, firmly established in Brahman without attending to   the mind even it chatters.

4. Longing for Liberation (Mumukshutva)

An intense, burning desire to be free from ignorance and be established in the Self.

Acharya says that Sadhana chatushtaya are basic and very important for spiritual progress.

Continued….