మనీషా పంచకమ్

1. మనీషా పంచకమ్ 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

4. 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. సత్యాచార్యస్య గమనే సత్యాచార్యస్య గమనే కదాచిన్ ముక్తి దాయకమ్, కాశీ క్షేత్రమ్ ప్రతి సహ గౌర్యా మార్గే తు శంకరమ్ Satyaachaary asya gamanae kadaachin mukti daayakam, Kaasee kshaetram prati saha Gouryaa maargae tu Sankaram,

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

9. ప్రాహ శంకరమ్ అన్త్య వేషధరం దృష్ట్వా గచ్ఛ గచ్ఛేతి చాబ్రవీత్, శంకరశ్యోపి చండాలః తమ్ పునః ప్రాహ శంకరమ్, Antya vaesha dharam drushtwaa gachcha gachchaeti cha abraveet, Sankarah so api chandaalah tam punah praaha Sankaram,

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

11. 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. కిమ్ బ్రూహి గచ్ఛ గచ్ఛేతి అన్నమాయాదన్నమయమ్ అథవా చైతన్యమేవ చైతన్యాత్ యతివర దూరీ కర్తుం వాంఛసి కిమ్ బ్రూహి గచ్ఛ గచ్ఛేతి ? 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. కో అయం విభేద భ్రమః ప్రత్యగ్వస్తుని నిస్తరంగ సహజ ఆనందావబోధాంబుధౌ విప్రో అయం శ్వపచో అయమిత్యపి మహాన్ కో అయం విభేద భ్రమః pratyag vastuni nistaranga sahaja ananda avabodha ambudhou vipro ayam swapacho ayamity api mahaan ko ayam vibhaedha bhramah ?

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

17. 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. కిమ్అన్తరమస్తి కిమ్ గంగాంబుధి బింబితేంబర మణౌ చన్డాల వీధీ పయః పూరే వా అన్తరమస్తి కాంచన ఘటీ మృత్కుమ్భయొర్వాంబరే ? kim gangaambudhi binbitae ambara manou chandaala veedhee payah poorae vaa antaramasti kaanchana ghatee mrit kumbhayorva ambarae?

19. 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 !

20. 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

21. The Five Golden Verses Thus the above piercing arrows of questions of the Lord are shot at that wise man. These immediately made an indelible impression on the mind of that holy man and he at once perceived Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathi, in the couple opposite to him who are in disguise of the outcaste. As this enlightenment dawned on him, the learned man now expounds the true nature of the Self with in all - in these FIVE slokas known as “Maneesha Panchakam”. These are recited extempore by the learned man with humility as a reply to Lord Shiva’s – the eye opener.

22. గురురిత్యేషా మనీషా మమ జాగ్రత్ స్వప్న సుషుప్తిషు స్ఫుటతరా యా సం విదుజ్జృంభతే యా బ్రహ్మాది పిపీలికాంత తనుషు ప్రోతా జగత్సాక్షిణీ, సైవాహం న చ దృశ్య వస్త్వితి ధృఢ ప్రఙ్ఞాపి యస్యాస్తిచేత్ చండాలోస్తు సతు ద్విజోస్తు గురురిత్యేషా మనీషా మమ. 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.

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

24. 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.

25. My Firm Conviction 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. గురురిత్యేషా మనీషా మమ బ్రహ్మైవాహమిదం జగచ్చ సకలం చిన్మాత్ర విస్తారితం సర్వం చైతదవిద్యయా త్రిగుణయా శేషం మయా కల్పితమ్, ఇత్థం యస్య దృఢామతిః సుఖతరే నిత్యే పరే నిర్మలే చండాలోస్తు స తు ద్విజోస్తు గురురిత్యేషా మనీషా మమ. 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.

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

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

29. 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. ఇత్యేషా మనీషా మమ శశ్వన్నశ్వరమేవ విశ్వమఖిలం నిశ్చిత్య వాచాగురోః నిత్యం బ్రహ్మ నిరన్తరం విమృశతా నిర్వ్యాజ శాంతాత్మనా, భూతం భావి చ దుష్కృతం ప్రదహతా సంవిన్మయే పావకే ప్రారబ్ధాయ సమర్పితం స్వవపురిత్యేషా మనీషా మమ. 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.

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

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

33. 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. ఇత్యేషా మనీషా మమ యా తిర్యఙ్నర దేవతాభిరహమిత్యంతః స్ఫుటా గృహ్యతే యద్భాసా హృదయాక్ష దేహవిషయా భాన్తి స్వతో చేతనాః, తాం భాస్యైః పిహితార్కమణ్డల నిభాం స్ఫూర్తిం సదా భావయన్ యొగీ నిర్వృతమానసో హి గురురిత్యేషా మనీషా మమ. yaa thiryagnara dhaevathaabhirahamithyamthah sphutaa grihyathae yadhbhaasaa hridhayaaksha dhaehavishayaa bhaanthi swatho chaethanaah, thaam bhaasyaih pihithaarkamandala nibhaam sphoorthim sadhaa bhaavayan yogee nirvrithamaanaso hi gururithyaeshaa maneeshaa mama.

35. 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.

36. Interpretation thaam The very mind, body and sense organs bhaasai hi though illuminated by this (consciousness) pihitha apparently cloud this consciousness, arka mandala just as the effulgent Sun is nibham concealed by the clouds (caused by the sun). yogee That person of perfect realization nirvrutha with complete and clear understanding spoorthim due to his wisdom, sadaa bhhavayan ever meditates on this Maanaso hi verily in his mind. maneesha mama My firm understanding is yaesha that Great one with this concept Gurur iti 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. నూనం మనీషా మమ యత్సౌఖ్యాంబుధి లేశలేశత ఇమే శక్రాదయో నిర్వృతా యచ్చిత్తే నితరాం ప్రశాంతకలనే లబ్ధ్వా మునిర్నిర్వృతః యస్మిన్నిత్య సుఖాంబుధౌ గళితధీర్బ్రహ్మైవ న బ్రహ్మవిద్ యః కశ్హిత్ససురేన్ద్ర వందితపదో నూనం మనీషా మమ || yathsaukhyaambudhi laesalaesatha imae sakraadhayo nirvrithaa yachchiththae nitharaam prashaanthakalanae labdhvaa munirnirvrithah yasmin nithya sukhaambudhau galithadheer brahmaiva na brahmavidh yah kaschit sasuraendhra vandhithapado noonam maneeshaa mama ||

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

40. Interpretation 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.

41. Certain, this is my firm conviction 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.

42. The Epilogue దాసస్తేహం దేహదృష్ట్యాస్మి శంభో జాతస్తేశో జీవదృష్ట్యా త్రిదృష్ట్యే సర్వస్యాత్మనాత్మ దృష్ట్యా త్వమేవ త్వేవం మే ధీర్నిశ్చితా సర్వ శాస్త్రైః || daasasthae aham daehadrishtya asmi Sambho jaathasthaeso jeeva drishtyaa thri drishtyae sarvasya athman athma drishtyaa thwamaeva thwaevam mae dheer nishchithaa sarva saasthraih ||

43. 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.

44. The perfect Realization • 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 Parvathiin front of him. • From that very moment he perceived GOD in all

45. 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

47. మనం యెవరికంటే యెందులో యెక్కువ ? Are we Greater than any other in any one aspect ?

48. కాశీ పండితునకు శంకరుడిటు చేసిన ఉపదేశము వినుమా వాసిగ నాత్మ ఙ్ఞానము నెపుడూ వదలక మదిలో నిడుకొనుమా || Kaasee panditunaku Sankaruditu chaesina upadaesamu vinumaa Vaasigan aatma jnaanamu nepudoo Vadalaka madilo nidukonumaa ||