Read Vivekachudamani in English

Vivekchudamani is a famous text composed in Sanskrit language by Adi Shankaracharya, in which Advaita Vedanta has been interpreted. In this, the importance of Brahmanishtha, the means of attainment of knowledge, question-formulation, importance of self-knowledge, Panchapran, self-formulation, how will liberation, the fruit of self-knowledge, etc. It is believed that this text contains the essence of all the Vedas. Shankaracharya composed this book in his childhood.

The title Vivekchudamani translates to Crest Jewel of Discrimination. The text begins with a salutation to Govinda, which can be interpreted with reference to either the Lord or his guru Sri Govinda Bhagavatpada. It then explains the importance of self-realization, the ways to reach it, and the characteristics of a guru. It criticizes attachment to the body and goes on to explain the various saris, kosas, gunas, senses and prana that constitute anatman. It teaches the disciple how to attain self-realization, the methods of meditation (dhyana) and introspection of the soul. Vivekachudamani describes the characteristics of an enlightened human being (Jeevanmukt) and a person of steady knowledge (Sthirapragya) along the lines of the Bhagavad Gita.