Short Works - Softcover

Adi Shankara, Shankara

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1931406715 ISBN 13: 9781931406710

Publisher: Aurea Vidya, 2022

Synopsis

Śaṅkara is one of those great souls who - like Parmenides, Plato, Plotinus and others - appear on this planet from time to time, to propound Principles of a universal order and to act as precise and steadfast reference points. Śaṅkara dedicated his short but intense life (788-820) to the noble aim of revivifying the Vedic tradition in a time of confusion and crisis, and he achieved the greatest synthesis and harmonisation of the whole of Indian philosophical thought. 

In presenting this book, Short Works, that  include  some of the  many prakaraṇas (Treatises) and stotras (Hymns) composed by Śaṅkara or attributed to him, our decision was to let the verses speak for themselves. However, we have left those commentaries which present aspects of the Teaching that might be unknown to the readers who meet Śaṅkara for the first time. The Treatises explain, from a philosophical and metaphysical perspective, some of the expressions found in the Upaniṣads. A good example is the ātmabodha, a significant text which comprises the fundamental principles of Advaita (Non-duality) and constitutes an introduction for all who wish to comprehend this Teaching. In this work Śaṅkara shows how knowledge/vidyā of a metaphysical order is the means par excellence for freeing us from the ignorance/avidyā concerning the nature of Being.

Noteworthy is the 'Introduction' to Vākyavṛtti, in which are expounded, with a terminology appropriate to Western Philosophy, the principles of traditional Metaphysics, so as to provide a 'reading key' for understanding the essential teaching of Non-duality, the foundation of all Śaṅkara work.

The best-known Hymns in the collection include Śivo'ham, in which Śaṅkara, following the manner of the Sages of the Upaniṣads in using the form of negation (neti neti), points to one's identity with Śiva; Dakṣiṇāmūrti, in which Śiva, wearing the garments of a meditating young ascetic, transmits the teaching in silence; and Bhaja Govindam, which is one of the most celebrated lyric poems dedicated to Kṛṣṇa. But all the Works presented here are - in their philosophical content - beautiful and incisive.

About this title

About the Authors

SANKARA has been one of the greatest philosophers of India. He dedicated his brief and intense life (788-820) to re-establish the authority of the Sruti, to codify the Advaita Vednta, the doctrine of Non-duality, and to anchor the Metaphysical Tradition of the Veda through the foundation of monasteries (ma/ha) and monastic orders. With his bhashya (commentary) to the Upanisad, the Brahmasutra, and the BhagavadgitaIntroduction13Hymn for morning recitation21(prātahsmaraṇastotra)Knowledge of the Ātman25(ātmabodha)Hymn of praise in ten verses59(daśaślokīstuti)The ocean of bliss of one liberated in life65(jīvanmuktānandalaharī)Five verses on the ascetic75(yātipańcakam)Eight verses on the blessed79(dhanyāṣṭakam)Hymn to Dakṣiṇāmūrti87(dakṣiṇāmūrtistotram)The exposition of the sentence93(vākyavṛtti)The five-faceted jewel of instruction111(upadeśapańcaratnam)The sacred reproach for the non-self117(anātmaśrīvigarhaṇa)Worship Govinda125(bhaja govindam)The way of Being137(sadācāra)The song of the knowledge of the Brahman155(brahmajńānavālī)I am Śiva, I am Śiva163(Śivo 'ham Śivo 'ham)Quintuplication167(pańcīkaraṇa)Commentary to 'Quintuplication'173(pańcīkaraṇavarttika of SureśvaraThe fivefold conviction191(manīṣāpańcakam)A hymn in ten verses197(daśaślokī)The teaching on knowledge of the ātman 203(ātmajńānopadeśavidhi)The fivefold realisation of Śiva233(śivapańcākṣram)A short exposition of the sentence237(laghuvākyavṛtti), and with his own writings, Sankara has profoundly influenced not only India's philosophical development, but that of the entire world.

After graduating in Modern Languages from Cambridge University, Arthur embarked upon a teaching career in both the public and the private sectors. What he enjoyed most was the ten-year period he spent teaching English to overseas students in Central London.His interest in languages led him to join others who were engaged on a project to translate from Latin the twelve volumes of letters written by the fifteenth-century philosopher-priest Marsilio Ficino. From Arthur's commitment to Plato came a set of five volumes that offer the English reader the chance to study many of Ficino's commentaries to Plato's dialogues.Arthur has long been attracted by the Sanskrit language, in which he tutored for many years and led courses in Sydney and Auckland. He has produced A Mahābhārata Companion, which is a guide to the world's longest poem, and he is particularly fascinated by the etymological connections that link English, Latin, and Greek to the Sanskrit language.His other publications include children's guides to spelling, mathematics, and English grammar.

Edition details

• Publisher: Aurea Vidya
• Publication date: 2022
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1931406715
• ISBN 13: 9781931406710
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 314
• Editor: Goup Kevala