Sadhana Panchakam

The Fivefold Spiritual Practice - Translation and Commentary

De: Jayaram V

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

This is the translation of Sadhana Panchakam, which in English means the fivefold practice. It was originally composed by Sri Shankaracharya, also known as Adi Shankaracharya, one of the greatest proponents of the Advaita Vedanta or the school of nondualism which recognizes Brahman as the one and only reality and all creation as a temporary projection, superimposition or illusion. The work is important because of its practical value and its appeal to renouncers and seekers of liberation. As its name suggests, Sadhana Panchakam contains five simple verses in Sanskrit, and each of them contains eight practical instructions the self-transformation and liberation. They are useful for novices and advanced practitioners alike to purify their minds and bodies and overcome duality and delusion to remain established in the self and experience oneness. Shankaracharya probably laid down these instructions for the benefit of his own students and those who followed him. It is possible that similar methods were followed by renouncer traditions and ascetic groups in the Indian subcontinent for a long time since the Vedic period. The instructions are very practical and direct and relevant even today. Mr. Jayaram’s commentary is very lucid and easy to understand. It is probably one of the best in the category. He explains the importance of each of the instructions by providing additional knowledge from the Upanishads, the Bhagavadgita and other scriptures and how they can help the initiates and students in their spiritual progress and self-realization. Jayaram V is the founder President of Hinduwebsite.com and author of several works on Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism Spirituality, Self-help and related subjects.