The Essence of Four Mahavakyas based on Manisha Panchakam

Manisha Panchakam is a short composition of Sri Adi Sankaracharya. In just five verses Sri Sankaracharya has succinctly brought out the essence of Advaita Vedanta. The word ‘manisha’ means firm conviction, and ‘panchaka’ means a set of five (verses). Hence the name of the text can be translated as ‘Five verses of firm conviction’. The famous four Mahavakyas of the four Vedas are summarised in each of the first four verses. And the fifth verse portrays a beautiful picture of a Realised Master. One day, as Sri Adi Sankaracharya was on his way to the temple after finishing his bath in the holy Ganges, his path was blocked by a Chandala (Lord Shiva in the form of an outcaste) with his four dogs. He asked the chandala to move away from him, as was the custom in those days, to which the chandala questioned him in two Sanskrit verses. Sri Sankara realising the philosophical depth in Chandala’s questions, replied to the questions in five verses and touched the feet of Chandala, as a way to show respect towards him. Manisha Panchakam conveys the message that the Paramatman (consciousness) is the same within all beings regardless of physical distinctions of caste and any person who has gained the Self-knowledge is worthy to be considered a Guru, irrespective of his or her caste. This album contains discourses by Br. Ved Chaitanya, recorded at Adi Sankara Nilayam during a spiritual camp in June 2023.