Vivekachudamani of Sri Sankaracharya

In this edition the book has been generally revised and some improvement has been made as regards printing and other matters. All this, it is hoped, will make the book more acceptable to the public. Mayavati, 1926. I bow to Govinda, whose nature is Bliss Supreme, who is the Sadguru, who can be known only from the import of all Vedanta, and who is beyond the reach of speech and mind. Viveka means discrimination, Chud is crest, and Mani, jewel. Hence the title means Crest-jewel of discrimination. Just as the jewel on the crest of a diadem is the most conspicuous ornament on a persons body, so the present treatise is a masterpiece among works treating of discrimination between the Real and the unreal. In this opening stanza salutation is made to God Govinda, or to the Guru, in his absolute aspect. It may be interesting to note that the name of Sankaras Guru was Govindapda, and the Sloka is ingeniously composed so as to admit of both interpretations....