Vakya Vritti (वाक्य वृत्ति) by Adi Shankaracharya

Bhagawan Adi Shankaracharya, possibly the greatest philosopher our world has seen,  had written many commentaries on almost all of the Upanishads, Brahma Sutras, Bhagavad Gita etc. HE also wrote introductory text books (Praakarana Granthas) on the fundamentals of the Advaita Vedanta for the benefit of beginners and students of Vedanta. One such valuable commentary HE wrote is on the famous and very popular Mahavaakya from Chandogya Upanishad 'Tatvamasi'   (तत्वमसि).  This Mahavaakya is one of the four eminent Vaakyas from the Upanishad texts  quoted widely in the Hindu philosophical texts as well as used as a statement of detailed contemplation and meditation as advised by our Rishis.

The four Mahavaakyas are as below.

1. Prajnanaam Brahma (प्रज्ञानं ब्रह्म): Consciousness is BRAHMAN; Aitreya Upanishad, Rig Veda

2. Tat Tvam Asi (तत्वमसि) : That Thou Art (Are):  THAT You ARE;  Chandogya Upanishad, Sama Veda

3. Ayam Atma Brahma (अयं आत्म ब्रह्म): This Self is BRAHMAN; Mandukya Upanishad, Atharva Veda.

4. Aham Brahma Asmi (अहं ब्रह्म अस्मि): I AM BRAHMAN;  Brhadaranyaka Upanishad, Yajur Veda

It is said that the first Mahavaakya (statement) above, gives a definition of BRAHMAN (Lakshana vaakya); the second one is a statement of advice to the student by the Guru (Upadesha vaakya),  the third statement is the direct experience of the student in his/her seat of meditation (Anubhava vaakya) and the fourth one is the roar of realization echoed by the student after his/her enlightenment (Prasthaava vaakya). 

In the commentary text Vaakya Vritti consisting of 53 verses, Bhagavan Shankaracharya very lucidly  and vividly explains the lakshyartha (logical meaning) of each of the terms in the Mahavaakya 'Tat Tvam Asi'.  As Swami Chinmayananda explains in his 'Vaartikam' (Translation with explanations) of this text on Vaakya Vritti, every statement in our Upanishads can have two meanings - one a direct meaning of the word or statement (Vaakyartha) that a casual reader may understand and second the deeper indicative meaning (lakshyartha) that only a knowledgeable person with sufficient contemplation(mananam) will understand.  The eminent philosopher that Shankara is,  it can only be expected that these Mahavaakyas derive a special and unique glow through HIS suggestive meanings that a normal person can't comprehend easily.  It takes the calibre of Bhagwan Shankaracharya with HIS commentaries and the ability of Gurudev Chinmayananda  with his translation to dive deeper into this  statement and bring out the pearls of wisdom for our world to appreciate.

As I continue reading this great text and try to dive deeper into its richness, I will try to reflect my understanding of that text in this blog in the coming weeks/months.

A side note:  In my recent trip to India, I visited Kalady (in Kerala state), the birthplace of Bhagawan Adi Shankaracharya.  There is a nice temple dedicated to Bhagavan Shankara and Goddess Shardamba built by the Shringeri Madom.  However, I was sad to see the town of Kalady, (which should ideally be kept like the Vatican City  in terms of its historical importance, richness, neatness, respect etc.,) is now totally commercialized, crowded and kept unclean with no signs and trace of the historical importance and greatness of Shankaracharya anywhere except for the temple and hopefully in the minds of the residents there. 

Watch this wonderful authentic documentary (1 hr 20 mins) on the birth and childhood of  Bhagvan Adi Shankara and the fascinating story of the rediscovery of his  birthplace , Kalady, by the 33rd Jagadguru of Sringeri. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaYfoghV-n8&feature=uploademail

Hari Om.