num_pages: 112
description: This timeless composition is a reminder that the author Adi Shankaracharya who is often regarded as a stalwart advocate of the Jnana Marga (Jnana Yoga) or the Path of Knowledge to attain Muktiyielded to none in appreciating indeed enjoining the Bhakti Marga (Bhakti Yoga) or the Path of Faith/Devotion to the same goaland as C. Rajagopalachari put in his commentary When intelligence matures and lodges securely in the heart it becomes wisdom. When that wisdom is integrated with life and issues out in action it becomes devotion. Knowledge which has become mature is spoken of as devotion. If it does not get transformed into devotion such knowledge is useless tinsel. In this prayer Adi Shankaracharya emphasizes the importance of devotion for God as a means to spiritual development and to liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The prayer leaves one in no doubt that the renunciation of our egotistical differences and surrender to God makes for salvation. Many scholars hold that this composition encapsulates with both brevity and simplicity the substance of all Vedantic thought found in whatever other works that Adi Shankaracharya wrote: The refrain Bhaja Govindam which defines the composition and gives it its name invokes the almighty in the aspect of Vishnu; it is therefore very popular not only with Sri Adi Shankaracharya's immediate followers the Smarthas but also with Vaishnavas and others.
language: English
title: Adi Sankaracharya's Bhaja Govindam ; Original Sanskrit Text With Roman Transliteration Word For Word Meaning, Purport, Introductory Note, And Commentary
publisher: Central Chinmaya Mission Trust