Stages of metamorphosis of thoughts

In the section 14 (‘Knowledge of the Self ‘) in the book Viveka Choodamani,   Bhagawan Adi Shankara says that mere talks and big speeches on scriptures is not going to help in Self Realization.  It is only the practice of ‘Atma Vichara’ (meditation) that will result in realization and moksha. In that stanza,  Sw. Chinmayananda explains four stages of how thoughts metamorphoses into words. They are as below.

Para: Thoughts arising out from the base in us– when it has contact with our Reality of Life (Soul/Atman) in us.

Pasyanthi: When thoughts manifests sufficiently for ego in us to be conscious of it.

Madhyama: The conscious thought passes through a state of inner molding in the crucible of a language, transcribing it into a series of symbolic sounds to be conveyed to others.

Vaikhari: Thoughts in its grossest manifestations expressed as audible sounds outside.

In the same topic, Adi Sankara emphasizes that the mere intellectual study of Scriptures is useless both before and after self-realization.  Sw Chinmayananda explains that beautifully as below:

‘As long as we have no right intellectual appreciation of what Vedanta texts indicate, all study of scriptures is futile. Again, when we have realized the ‘Truth’, the study of the scriptures is redundant.’

Hari Om.

Bhakthi: By the Self, Of the Self, For the Self

Hari Om.  I have been reading the amazing text of 'Vivekachoodamani'  which is the commentary of Bhagwan Adi Shankara on the 'Prasthanatrayi' - the Upanishads, Brahma Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita.  Vivekachoodamani means ' The Crest-jewel of Discrimination'.  Gurudev Sw. Chinmayananda has wonderfully explained the poetic words of Sri Shankara.  If even understanding those verses needs erudite knowledge,  think how much of versatile knowledge with experience is needed in explaining and commenting it !  Only Mahatmas of the calibre of Sw. Chinmayananda can do it.  Rest of us - that too,  fortunate ones - can only get a chance to read and try to get a good understanding of what these two Mahatmas say.

In the verse 32,  Adi Shankara emphasizes on Bhakthi (devotion) to a Guru (teacher).  Sw. Chinmayananda explains it as below.

"To live as the Self and to meet others in life, standing upon this solid foundation of the true nature of the Self is the culmination of knowledge and this is termed by Shankara as bhakthi (devotion).  That is,  he defines bhakthi both as means and the end; love is the means to get love."

What an amazing analysis!   It reminded me of Lincoln's defintion of democracy - by the people, of the people and for the people.  Similarly,  bhakthi is 'by the Self, of the Self and for the Self' - ability to identify the supreme Self everywhere as one.

Describing the next two verses,  Sw. Chinmayananda also emphasizes that the student has to tune himself (or herself) to the teacher - this is real learning.  I think in today's world where all dedication is based on money,  this has been missed out.  I would say this is very true not only in centers of knowledge (schools/universities); this is applicable even in commercial organizations.  The people should be tuned up to the superiors who may have an organizational vision.  The teachers (Gurus, superiors)  in turn, should ensure the students (or employees) are taken along in the journey to achieve the goal and purpose of the learning (or achieve the vision of the organization).

Hari Om.