SADHANA PANCHAKAM

SADHANA PANCHAKAM…… Part I

(Five verses for pursuing Philosophy)

By

His Holiness Jagatguru* Sri Adi SANKARACHARYA

(* Teacher of the world)

Translated by

Prof Dr Colonel (Retired) K Prabhakar Rao

Sri Adi Sankaracharya the doyen of Advaita philosophy was a master composer and he lived in 7 th century in India. He graced the world by his very short presence of just 32 years and within this small span made very great impact on the Hindu religious thought. He traveled throughout India and reestablished Hinduism to its past glory and saved it from the influence of Buddhism. He penned great Sanskrit compositions and these are the greatest treasures to the world. Sadhana Panchakam is a small set of five verses in Sanskrit that specifies 40 principles to pursue Vedanta by an individual. These verses are presented in the form of English poems and are discussed

1

One must study Vedas everyday with attention

And practice the acts in devotion specified in them

Let these acts be devoted to the supreme Lord

While the desires within are to be sacrificed from the stem

Let all the sins within self be cleansed off

Remember! The pleasures derived in materialistic world

Are known to give one only never ending pains

Be firm and resolute and know yourself

Free thyself off the household cage as these pleasures are in vain

Interact with noble men who are learned

And let your heart be full of devotion to the God

Practice the noble trait of peaceful living in this world

And the acts done with desires one must discard

Get refuge from noble teachers in the world

And daily worship the holy feet of your teacher

Worship the single letter OM representing the supreme

And one must listen and speak the true meaning of the scripture

To be continued

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