Shankara's Crest Jewel

Shankara’s Crest Jewel of Discrimination (Vivekachudamani) is a timeless spiritual text that has guided seekers on the path to self-realization for centuries. Composed by Adi Shankara, an 8th-century Indian philosopher and theologian, this work is a cornerstone of Advaita Vedanta, a non-dualistic philosophy rooted in the ancient teachings of the Upanishads.

The title itself reveals its purpose: Vivekachudamani translates to "The Crest Jewel of Discrimination," emphasizing the role of discernment in distinguishing the eternal from the transient, the real from the unreal. Shankara’s poetic verses offer a profound roadmap to enlightenment, teaching aspirants how to navigate the illusions of the material world and uncover the ultimate truth: the realization of one’s oneness with God / infinite consciousness.

Here are 20 selected verses:

“I prostrate to the Supreme Self, the eternal existence-consciousness-bliss, who is the inner ruler and self of all, and who manifests as the world through the power of maya.”

“Human birth, desire for liberation, and association with great souls are rare blessings, acquired only through the grace of God.”

“For all living beings, a human birth is rare; even rarer than that, is the desire for liberation.”

“The scriptures declare that liberation is not obtained through wealth, rituals, or good deeds but only through self-knowledge.”

“A disease is not cured by merely repeating the name of medicine without taking it; likewise, liberation is not achieved by merely uttering the word Brahman.”

“A person of discriminating intellect should renounce all attachment to external objects and strive ceaselessly for liberation.”

“Direct knowledge of the Self alone removes the bondage of ignorance, not rituals or charity or other actions.”

“Who am I? How was this universe born? Who created it? What is its material cause? This inquiry is the direct means to liberation.”

“The Self is pure consciousness, eternal, beyond maya, and one without a second. It is the witness of the three states of waking, dream, and deep sleep.”

“Only through the destruction of ignorance does the realization of The One Infinite Consciousness arise, just as the perception of a rope becomes clear when the illusion of a snake is removed.”

“The Atman is existence, knowledge, and bliss, infinite, eternal, and self-effulgent. It is distinct from the gross, subtle, and causal bodies.”

“The mind, when free from distractions and purified by meditation, reflects the light of the Self, just as a clean mirror reflects an image clearly.”

“Bondage is caused by the mind’s tendency to identify with the body. Liberation arises when the mind ceases to identify with the body and rests in the Self.”

“When the sun of Self-knowledge rises, the darkness of ignorance vanishes, and the bondage of the world is destroyed.”

“The world is like a mirage, appearing real but ultimately false. Know this, and seek the Self, which alone is real.”

“Just as fire burns a heap of cotton to ashes, so does the fire of knowledge reduce ignorance to nothing.”

“By meditation on the truth, the wise attain liberation. They cross the ocean of birth and death and rest in the bliss of Pure Infinite Consciousness.”

“Realize that you are the pure, infinite consciousness, and not the body, mind, or senses. This realization destroys all sorrow.”

“God is infinite, non-dual, and free from all attributes. To realize this is to attain liberation.”

“Rejoice, O wise one! You are pure consciousness, bliss absolute, and eternal. Awaken from the dream of separateness!