Sri Sankara*s Vivekachudamani

Sri Sankara*s VivekachudamaniThe Vivekachudamani, literally "The Crest Jewel of Discrimination," is perhaps the most famous non commentarial work of Sankara~ the pre eminent 8th century Indian philosopher, that lucidly expounds Advaita Vedanta philosophy. Having written pioneering and monumental commentaries on triple canon (prasthanatraya)"comprising the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita and the Brahma Sutras,Sankara also composed several sub texts in simple Sanskrit, called

The Vivekachudamani, literally "The Crest-Jewel of Discrimination," is perhaps the most famous non-commentarial work of Sankara~ the pre-eminent 8th century Indian philosopher, that lucidly expounds Advaita Vedanta philosophy. Having written pioneering and monumental commentaries on triple canon (prasthanatraya)"comprising the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita and the Brahma Sutras,Sankara also composed several sub-texts in simple Sanskrit, called prakaranagranthas (philosophical treatises), with a view to bringing the message of Vedanta to common people. The Vivekachudamani, as its name signifies, is the crown jewel of such prarkarana texts and is widely considered as a vade mecum of quintessential Vedanta theory and practice. This work is not intended so much for scholars as it is for spiritual aspirants and practitioners desirous of a faithful yet readable translation of this essential treatise of Advaita Vedanta.