Swami Sukhabodhananda - Adi Shankaracharya’s Bhaja Govindam

SUKHABODHANANDA

JAICO PUBLISHING HOUSE

Ahmedabad Bangalore Bhopal Bhubaneswar Chennai
Delhi Hyderabad Kolkata Lucknow Mumbai

Published by Jaico Publishing House
A-2 Jash Chambers, 7-A Sir Phirozshah Mehta Road
Fort, Mumbai - 400 001
www.jaicobooks.com

Adi Shankaracharyas Bhaja Govindam by
Swami Sukhabodhananda

Published in arrangement with
Prasanna Trust
No. 51, 16th Cross, Between 6th & 8th Main
Malleswaram, Bangalore 560 055, India

ADI SHANKARACHARYAS BHAJA GOVINDAM
ISBN 978-81-8495-206-3

First Jaico Impression: 1999
Fifteenth Jaico Impression: 2012

No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in
any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical including photocopying, recording or by any
information storage and retrieval system,
without permission in writing from the publishers.

Printed by
Repro India Limited
Plot No. 50/2, T.T.C. MIDC Industrial Area
Mahape, Navi Mumbai - 400 710.

About the Author

S wami Sukhabodhananda is the founder Chairman of Prasanna Trust. Swamiji is not only one of the most respected spiritual leaders of the country, but is also nicknamed as 'Corporate Guru'. His expertise lies in synthesizing ancient wisdom of east and modern vision of west appealing to both the young and old from a wide spectrum of society.

Swamiji is the author of many best sellers whose books have sold over a million in more than 79 titles in different languages. His books have made many discover a new way of living life. He makes you realise that if one door closes another door opens. Life is an opening.

His self-development programs have benefited many in the corporate sectors of reputed institutions like banking, finance, industry, education, armed forces and police.

Leading industrial houses invite him to conduct 'In-house workshops' for their executives.

Swamji is also a Sport Psychology coach for cricket teams like Delhi Dare Devils and many others.

'Times of India' in their recent poll on 'who talks the best' places Swamiji as the one, who tops the list on all counts as the best speaker.

'The Week' magazine acclaims Swamiji as one among the top five best exponent of spiritual knowledge.

Swamiji's English books 'Oh, Mind Relax Please!' and 'Oh, Life Relax Please!' are the top best sellers in the country and has set a new bench mark in the lives of many, from the Kargil hero Gen. V. P. Malik who swear by the inspiring content of the book to the New York Mayor who acknowledges its usefulness to diminish work pressure and dealing with New York City press!

Swamiji's book 'Manase Relax Please' has set an all time sales record in the history of Tamil, Kannada and Telugu books and has been included as a part of curriculum in some of the schools and colleges. Leading personalities have termed that he has revolutionised Tamil literature through his books.

Swamiji was invited as a dignitary on five different panels at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland and was a special invitee to the United Nation World Millennium Summit of spiritual Leaders.

Swamiji is the second Indian to be honored at the prestigious lotus millionaires' Intellectual Club at Manhattan, New York.

Swamiji's works in audio and video have been transforming the lives of many through Sa Re Ga Ma and Times Music.

His message on the Aastha, Sanskar and many other Channels is reaching a wide spectrum of people both in India and Overseas.

Prasanna Trust under his inspiration and guidance runs an orphanage for girls, provides artificial limbs and calipers to people with impoverished background and conducts regular blood donation camps and camps for feeding the poor.

Swamiji was awarded 'Karnataka's Best Social Service Award' by Essel group & Zee network.

Preface

T o be sensitive to follow the footsteps of the wise and to seek what they have sought and not be caught in their footsteps is the contradiction of the spiritual path. The great revolutionary saint through these simple poetic verses unfolds the secrets of wise living.

The sensitive search has to be found in everyday life but alas, one gets stuck to mundane everydayness of life and thus misses the magic of living life wisely. To be aware of the possibility of the search is a gift we owe ourselves. To miss this is to be in despair in a spiritual sense.

It is one thing to be clear of the end of the journey but it is the wise journey which truly matters in the end. I have put in my love and experience in commenting on these famed, most revered verses. The commentaries of these verses are not meant to be taught but it is more of expressing my journey which is unfolding to the music of the spiritual path.

The purpose of the 'fish net' is to catch fishes; once it is caught the net is not important. The purpose of these words is to convey the mystery of the spiritual path and its goal; once this is grasped the words become redundant.

The world is ever charged with divinity. But when one is filled with mundane activities, one misses the divine flavor. Never make this mistake. Flow with life, grow with life, and renounce the unessential. Let the unessential remind you of the essential and thus be alive with the essential.

If one has eyes to see, one will see that this very world is soaked in heaven. Even a blade of grass is a flame or an expression of godliness. Seeing this, one will take off one's psychological shoes of vanity and touch the world with wordless reverence.

The poetic words of the master are revolutionary and it is relevant even in today's world that is divided, in conflict, repressed and unbalanced. The unhappiness is spread all around in spite of material abundance. The real answers to the core weakness of humanity are hidden in these verses.

I pray and hope you benefit from these verses and my commentaries on them. I thank P.R. Madhav for lovingly editing this book. I deeply thank Mrs Deviki Jaipuria and my loving mother as a source of inspiration and support for all my endeavours. I thank all my students who have helped me to make a difference to the world.

Let us join the company of the wise and know the delight of the soul. Let us transform one's burning heart into a healing heart and live the language of the wise.

-Swami Sukhabodhananda

CONTENTS