Author: Swami Chinmayananda
Publisher: Chinmaya Mission Trust
Year: 2007
Language: multilingual
Pages: 623
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8175971401
Description
The study of any science cannot be undertaken without a preliminary understanding of the exact definitions of the terms and terminologies employed in it. The Fundamental beliefs, the accepted theories, the observed modes of behaviour, are all necessary data with which a modern scientist freely launches his new adventure into the realm of science. Similarly, in philosophy also, a fundamental knowledge of the terms used and the correct connotations in which various terms have been employed, is an unavoidable preliminary before a student can start the study of Vedanta.
Vedanta is truly the Science of Life. Sankara, the great interpreter of Vedanta, not only gave us his commentaries on the Upnishads, the Brahma Sutras and the Bhagavad Geeta, but also many primary texts which introduce the seeker into the joys of Vedanta. One of the greatest text he has written as an intoduction to Vedanta, is the Vivekachoodamani means, 'The Crest-Jewel of Discrimination.'
Vivekachoodamani is the cream of the Upanishads and the Bahagavad Geeta. It re-educates the student, in a systematic way, to provide him with a new vision of life. The Goal and the Path are both exhaustively dealt with, in this elaborate treatment of Vedanta, by Acharya Sankara. To one, who is making a deep study of Vivekachoodamani, no other help is needed for leading him to a spiritual life and guiding him to his self improvement.
Contents
Devoted Dedication
Glory of Spiritual Life
Unique Graces in Life
Miseries of the Unspiritual Man
Means of Wisdom
The Fit Student
The Four Qualifications
Bhakti-Firm and Deep Courtesy of Approach and Questioning
Loving advice of the Guru
Questions of the Disciple
Intelligent disciple-Appreciated
Glory of Self-Effort
Knowledge of the Self-Its beauty
Direct Experience, Liberation
Discussion on question Raised
Gross Body
Sense-objects, a Trap-Map bound
Fascination for body Criticised
Gross body Condemned
Organs of Perception and Action
Inner Instruments
The Five Pranas
Advice for Self-Control
What is Bondage? The Reply
The Powers: Agitation and Veiling
Bondage in Action
Atma and Anatma-Discrimination
Atman-unattached
What is liberation? Disciple
Self-knowledge gives liberation
What is Atman? Disciple
Attitude in Meditation
Aids to Meditation
Give up Vasanas-the Method
Fully detached-samadhi easy
No Diversity in Reality
Atma-vichar-Contemplation
Give up Per captions
Sings of a Realised seer
Prarabdha for a Saint
There is no Plurality
Experience of Self-Hood
Practice of Knowledge-Disciple
Final Words of Advice
Blessed Disciple Liberated
The Glory of the Text-Book