The Story of Adi Shankaracharya
Book Review by Swami Sadashiva Tirtha
Over the years, I have read numerous biographies of Adi Shankara, yet this version brought two gifts. First, the story somehow was more alive, I felt like the story was unfolding as I read it, and also, I could feel the author's deep devotional love for Shankara. The second gift was a series of new titbits about his life, as well as elaborations on stories I had already known. In short, the author succeeded in making me feel like I truly knew Shankara personally.
From the miracle how he was saved from the alligator's jaws of death, to leaving home at the age of 8 to find his spiritual master, to walking the length and breadth of India and converting people away from black magic to the belief in one god, and setting up a structure that would sustain Hinduism through present times ... all by the age of 32 - the stories are wonderful and inspiring.
Perhaps best of all, the author explains many profound, and often confusing or dry explanations of Shankara's spiritual teachings in a very heart-rendering and clear manner, that I feel anyone could understand and apply the insights into their daily lives.
Bhaja Govindam – the Immortal Poem
There are two wonderful aspects to the poem that touched my heart. First, her translations of each verse (sloka) are clear, alive and meaningful. Simply reading the original verses was a treat in itself, feeling the bhakti or devotional wisdom coming from Shankara. And each verse was made to rhyme in English, which is quite a task in itself.
The treat continues as Chandrika's commentary for each verse expounds and explains by using one or more story for each verse. Storytelling is about the best way I know to reach a person's heart and teach a whole-hearted message. And this the author has done brilliantly.
Amazing Verses
"Fool! The thirst for wealth is never quenched -
Quench instead your desire for contentment!
Learn to be joyous, to be totally satisfied -
With the fruit that your work will always provide!"
Great Stories
When Buddha returned from the forest after attaining enlightenment, a King who was a friend of Buddha's father, who was a king too, tried to entice Buddha to accepting the throne as the new king. He said, 'I have all that any man could desire. Wealth, women, wine, and power." Buddha smiled gently and softly asked, "Your majesty, do you have peace?"
These stories come to life as they can be applied to modern times, as we see a trend to seek excessive materialism and ignoring the spiritual component of life.
Memorable Parables
This book is full of parables, and here is one (Verse 13) I am paraphrasing below:
The king could not find peace. His minister's solution was to find a man in peace and wear his shirt and he would find peace. They found a sadhu (hermit) under a tree - carefree and whistling. The king asked how he can remain in peace, to which the saint replied, "Because I know the One who provides for the tiniest of creatures will not neglect me. I rest in that faith with joy." I desire nothing because I have the sky as my roof, the world as a home, animals and birds as friends. Who is richer than me? The king found his man of peace and asked for the saint's shirt. "Your majesty, I have no shirt."
It is a book both you and your children will understand and enjoy.
Bhaja Govindam is published by Vakils, Feffer, & Simons Pvt. Ltd, Mumbai, India
