1.0 WHO IS ADI GURU SHANKARACHARYA?
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Tuesday Last week was the 1238th birth Anniversary of Adi Guru Shankaracharya (Chandrasekaran, 2003-2004). He is my spiritual Guru, because he clarified the direction for adherents of my faith for many generations since, in simple and clear words. For me his teaching are a living UNESCO Heritage.
He did that via hymns such as Bhaj Govindam:
2.0 BHAJ GOVINDAM -Verse 1: Seek God, O Fool!
भज गोविन्दं भज गोविन्दं, गोविन्दं भज मूढमते । संप्राप्ते सन्निहिते काले, न हि न हि रक्षति डुकृञ् करणे ॥१॥
1. This line conveys the remedy for all our ills, whether physical, mental or spiritual. The line is a refrain sung at the end of each verse. It therefore underlines the central message of the entire poem. Bhaja “Worship!” says the poet. Worship whom? – Govinda, the Lord, of course.
2. But the message may not have gone through to some still. So he repeats the instruction, this time switching the words around so that the emphasis is on God. We could easily worship mammon even while thinking we are worshipping God. Propaganda, show of wealth, emphasis on external modes of worship – all these lead us astray even in the name of God. So we are asked to make certain that He whom we worship is, indeed, God.
Moodhamate: If we are not turning towards God, then we are fools, says the poet. It is not time to be too polite. This is a wake up call to sleeping mankind. We are so immersed in forgetfulness of God that only a harsh means can turn our minds Godward.
In the language of Shankaracharya, Moodha has a Vedantic connotation. It does not mean “foolish” as we usually understand the word. It is referring to one who is spiritually ignorant. Even the most intelligent scientist, if he is a rank materialist, he would fall under the category of Moodhamata. The majority of mankind will be highly qualified for this category! Neglect of the spiritual aspect in life is being highlighted.
3. Kaale, meaning “at the appointed time”, also has an implied meaning. It stands for “death” or Lord Yama, the God of Death. At the time of our birth we have already made an appointment with Death. Death was our twin, born with us, but only always lagging behind a little. When it overtakes us, it is time to go!
A reminder of death is appropriate to the awakening call of the poet. Only death has the power to knock some sense into our deluded minds. It has a sobering effect on us to curb our unbridled romp with indulgence.
4. Dukrin: “grammar rules”. The word comes from the ‘Kru’ Dhatu and is the root for Karma or action. It is obviously symbolic – known as an Upa-Lakshana in Samskrit. It has to be taken to represent all secular forms of knowledge – i.e. Apara Vidya .
The difference between secular and spiritual knowledge will be taken up in greater detail when we study the Upanishads, but here it is enough to know that ‘Apara’ Vidya is knowledge that will assist us only in getting on in the world. The higher ‘Para’ Vidya deals with knowledge of Brahman or the Self, and is of a totally different nature and purpose from the former.
Not only that, but there is a suggestion that taking recourse solely to actions (from the root ‘Krn’, “to do”) will not help us spiritually; knowledge is what is needed. There is no escape from knowledge on the path to liberation. We may start with “doing”, but we have to end in our quest by “being” (Gurubhaktananda, 2017, June, 1).
Note: In this hymn, he points us to focus on 'Devotion to God'/Bhakti, via reading our oath book ŚRĪMAD BHAGAVAD GĪTĀ in verse 21 and 28, positivity and singing Śrī Viṣṇu Sahasranāma Stotram in verse 28, daily (shlokam.org, 2026). We understand the value of an oath book to a faith, but one may question the value of the second work, which translates into english as 'Thousand Names of God'. My assessment is that the reason for the high importance of the latter work is that explains in its introduction section with pinpoint percision, that the highest of all purposes of life is to:
- Sing praises of and worship God.
The Saṁskṛta word used for "worship" in it, has been defined in Section 3.0 below, based on the context in which it has been used.
My best wishes to all on this most auspicious day.
3.0 WORSHIP/Arcanā in Śrī Viṣṇu Sahasranāma Stotram
a. Abhigamana (cleansing the temple of the deity),
b. Upādāna (picking flowers),
c. Yoga (purifying oneself),
d. Svādhyāya (chanting the holy name),
e. Ijyā (serving one’s worshipful deity).
These five limbs of Arcanā (pañcāṅga-arcanā) are not temporary and mundane but eternal, supremely pure limbs of bhakti that help one attain the lotus feet of Śrī Bhagavān (Pure Bhakti: Brhad Bhagavatamrtam, 2026, May, 19).
4.0 REFERENCES
1. Gurubhaktananda, S.(2017, June, 1). Hammer Blows to Delusion. The Sandeepany Experience. Text 04.
2. Chandrasekaran, B. (Late 2003- Early 2004). 'Sri Shankara's Timeline'. The voice of God. Issue 120,Pg. 19. https://www.kamakoti.org/tamil/d-san120-19.htm. Last Accessed: 29 April 2026
3. Pure Bhakti: Brhad Bhagavatamrtam.(2026, May, 19). Wisdom Library- Arcana, Arcanā: 31 definitions. Source: https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/arcana. Last Accessed: 19 May 2026.
4. shlokam.org(2026, May, 26). Bhaja Govindam All Verses - In Sanskrit, English with meaning, explanation. Source: https://shlokam.org/shloka/bhaja-govindam-all-verses.htm. Last Accessed: 26 May 2026.