Bhaja Govindam and Atmabodha

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Both the texts Bhaja Govindam and Atmabodha were composed by Adi Shankaracharya in the eighth Century.

The Bhaja Govindam highlights the two human motivation acquisition and enjoyment. Its thirty one verses point out the delusion in external pursuit and urge one to seek the supreme self.

The Atmabodha is a picture gallery of word paintings in sixty eight verses with deep philosophic themes. It contains several similes and metaphors taken from nature and life in general. The practical examples therein help a spiritual seeker to maintain the awareness of the supreme reality in all walks of life.

Swami Parthasarathy is acclaimed the greatest Exponent of Vedanta, the ancient philosophy of India. Swamiji, as popularly know, has dedicated over sixty years to study, research and propagation of Vedanta, and has been declared as the living saint of India in several Publications.

He has authored eight books presenting ancient wisdom in contemporary thought and language. These include the bestselling the eterntitie Vedanta treatise governing business & relationships. The symbolism of Hindu gods and rituals and the fall of the human intellect Swamiji’s commentaries on the bhagavad gita choice Upanishads Atmabodha & Bhaja govindam are known to be authoritative.

Bhaja Govindam contains thirty-one verses. It was Composed by the philosopher-saint Adi Sankaracarya, Popularly known as Sankara. Sankara was born in 788 A.D. in Kaladi, a village in the west coast of India. Early In the life he took to Sannyasa, celibacy and renunciation. He died at the age of thirty-two.

The life of Sankara was an exceptional combination of Jnanam knowledge, bhakti devotion and karma action. All The three qualities maturing in a single individual has earned him a distinction in the galaxy of sages.

In the field of Jnanam knowledge he promulgated Advaita, the philosophy of non-dualism. His logic, insight and literary skill erased the misconceptions of the ritualists, nihilists and iconoclasts. Sankara’s literary works are classifies under:

1. Bhasya Commentaries on the prasthanatray which Comprises the Upanishads, Brahma sutras and the Bhagavad Gita.

2. Stotra devotional songs and hymns.

3. Prakarana Expository and dialectical work in Prose and poetry which elucidate scriptural terms and expressions

The same genius, who employed passionless thought in establishing the non-dualistic philosophy, composed impassioned verses like the Bhaja Govindam and the daksinamurti Astaka. Sankara was imbued with boundless faith and devotion, bhakti. Possessed the caliber of devotional prodigies like Tukaram, Kabir or Ramdas

The third facet of Sankara’s personality was his tireless Action karam. At sixteen he set out his missionary work. Travelled the length and breadth of India on foot and bullock-cart heralding Vedanta as the supreme gospel for the world. Numberless temples and religious institutions pay tribute to his selfless service.

The missionary in Sankara established the four monastic Institutions called math’s spread over the country. He left them in charge of philosopher-saints, A tradition which lives to date.

The Bhaja Govindam gives out the basic instructions on life. It highlights the two main human motivations Viz., kancanam wealth and kamini women. The two forces that propels the life of human beings. By the first motivation he acquires, aggrandizes, hoards wealth. He Does that to secure himself against sorrow. Referred to as duhkha nivrtti. By the second motivation he indulges In the enjoyment of the acquired wealth. Referred to as Sukha prapti. ‘Women’ is used to symbolize enjoyment. Being the most powerful enjoyment which involves all the five sense organs.

Sankara points out delusion in human beings in pursuing The external world for peace and happiness. And urges Them to seek the supreme self within to reach the eternal Abode of bless. Hence the text has also another title Moha Mudgara which means ‘Delusion Lifter.