Maneesha Panchakam- meanings given by different authors in the web.
Compiled by
P.R.Ramachander
Maneesha
Panchakam are the answers given by Adhi Sankara to God Shiva
about his beliefs on the differences
between man and man. Possibly it is the oldest
Hindu thought process on the need
for people to consider the status of
other people , based on their thought
personality rather than the caste which they belong to. Several translations of
these five verses are available in the web including mine. I thought
that a serious reader would be helped , if all these translations are
available in one place. I have given only sage Sankara’s answers and not the
Questions of the God Sankara. The sources are :-
The
meanings(translations ) given by these are :-
1.Jagrad swapna
sushipthishu sphutatharaa yaa
samviddujrumbathe ,
Yaa Brahmadhipi pilikantha thanushu prothaa jagat sakshini,
SAivaham na cha drusya vasthithvathi druda prajapi
yasyathi che,
Chandalosthu sa thu dwijosthu guru rithyesha maneeshaa mama.
a. If
one is convinced firmly, that he is that very Soul which manifests
itself in all the conditions of sleep,
wakefulness and dream, in all the
objects from the great Brahma (the creator)
to the tiny ant and which is
also the vibrant, but invisible, witnesser
of all, then as per my clear
conclusion, he is the great
teacher/preceptor, be he a twice-born
(i.e
higher castes) or an outcaste.
b. This
indeed is my deep conviction: he who has realised that he is not the seen, but
that he is the one Consciousness that illumines all experiences during the
waking, dream and deep - sleep states, the one Consciousness that is the sole
witness of the entire play of the universe, the one Consciousness which is the
very Life Spark in all forms from the Creator down to the ant, he alone is my
Guru, be he a sweeper, be he a braahmana.
c.If a person has attained the firm
knowledge that he is not an
object of perception, but is that
pure consciousness which
shines clearly in the states of
waking, dream and deep sleep,
and which, as the witness of the
whole universe, dwells in all
bodies from that of the Creator
Brahma to that of the ant, then
he is my Guru, irrespective of
whether he is an outcaste or a
Brahmana.
This is my conviction.
d.Oh! Let’s learn that the indwelling (pratyag) atman is distinctly shining with in all the three states; namely the wakeful, the dreaming and the deep sleep states. It is the invisible thread embedded in us and it is the witness with in all from the Creator up to the tiny ant. It is not a cognizable object in spite of any amount of material intelligence. It is very much the same in one and all irrespective of any caste, creed or kind! My firm understanding is that the great one who inculcates this concept is the real preceptor.
e.
The one who is free of the illusion of outside world
And knows that the experiences while awake,
And while in sleep and also while in dream,
That Brahman is behind such all experiences and stakes
It manifests in each and every being from ant to Brahma
One who realizes these truths would be my teacher
Although he may be a Chandala or Brahmana or from any stream
And this is my firm resolve and final decision.
The one who is free of the illusion of outside world
And knows that the experiences while awake,
And while in sleep and also while in dream,
That Brahman is behind such all experiences and stakes
It manifests in each and every being from ant to Brahma
One who realizes these truths would be my teacher
Although he may be a Chandala or Brahmana or from any stream
And this is my firm resolve and final decision.
f.If one says with firm conviction, that he is the one who is
present in all the states of wakefulness, dream and sushupti (deep sleep), and
present in all beings and objects beginning from Brahma (the creator) to the
tiny ant and who is vibrant as energy consciousness in everything and being
witness of the whole cosmos, then this I say with my prudent reflection that,
that individual is revered preceptor, be he a twice born (brahmin) or an
outcaste. Do not see that person in any other way.
g.Whether one is
awake , dreaming or sleeping , suppose one realizes
that ,
He is the soul that is
invisible but which exists and he
is firmly convinced that,
Brahma the creator to the tiny ant which are vibrant are the witnesses of all activities of the world,
That one whether he is an outcaste or a Brahmin is my concept of a
Guru.
2.Brahmaivahidama jagacha
sakalam chinmathrivisthaaritham,
Sarva chaithadvidhyaya
trigunayosesham kalpitham,
Idham yasya drudaa mathi
sukhathare nithya pare nirmalam,
Chandalosthu sa thu dwijosthu guru rithyesha maneeshaa mama.
a. I
am quite convinced that he is the great Master, be he a Brahmin or an
outcaste, who, dwelling on the pure and
infinite Brahman thinks of
himself as that very Brahman, of whose
manifestation the whole Universe
is,though apparently the Universe is assumed
to consist of different
things,
due to ignorance and the three Gunas (Satva, Rajas and Tamas).
b.He who, in his direct experience of the Immaculate
Supreme - Bliss - Eternal, has come to the firm understanding that the entire
universe is but an extensive play of Pure Consciousness, all projected by his
'ignorance' expressed in the three moods of his mind, while he himself is but
that Brahman - he alone is my Guru, be he a sweeper, be he a braahmana.
c. “I am Brahman (pure
consciousness). It is pure
consciousness that appears as this
universe. All this is only
something conjured up by me because
of avidya (nescience)
which is composed of the three gunas
(sattva, rajas and
tamas)”. One who has attained this
definite realization about
Brahman which is bliss itself,
eternal, supreme and pure, is
my
Guru, whether he is an outcaste or a Brahmana.
d.I am
none other than a part and parcel of the Brahman (The Absolute). I am dwelling
on the pure and infinite Brahman and I am the very Brahman. This universe is
glittering with infinite glow by the power of the chaitanya or unlimited
sentient energy of the Absolute. Apparently the universe is assumed (by us) to
consist of diverse and different things, due to (our) ignorance (avidya or nescience)
borne out of the three gunas (Sattva, Rajas and Tamas). He who firmly believes
with perfect understanding of this unity in diversity, for me, he is the
adorable great Master, irrespective of whether he is a Brahmin or an outcaste.
This is my perfect understanding.
e.
One that realizes the Brahman
Flawless, supreme, and eternal it is
Surely realizes that this entire universe we see
It is the manifestation of tiny Brahman and feels at ease
Such men realize that feeling of the world
As the result of ignorance owing to the three human traits within
He is my teacher; he may be a Chandala or Brahmana
Know this is my firm resolve and final decision.
One that realizes the Brahman
Flawless, supreme, and eternal it is
Surely realizes that this entire universe we see
It is the manifestation of tiny Brahman and feels at ease
Such men realize that feeling of the world
As the result of ignorance owing to the three human traits within
He is my teacher; he may be a Chandala or Brahmana
Know this is my firm resolve and final decision.
f. If one says with firm conviction, that he is the one who
is present in Brahma as the creator; he is pervaded in the whole cosmos as pure
intelligence and consciouness; he who says that he has imagined this world with
the three characteristics of sattva, rajas and tamas because of ignorance of
the Truth; he who is pure, stainless, resplendent, always in that bliss; then
this I say with my prudent reflection that, that individual is revered
preceptor, be he a twice born (brahmin) or an outcaste. Do not see that person
in any other way.
g. “The entire world is
only Brahmam which is extended by the pure consciousness,
But imagined to be different
due to the interplay of
one’s three gunas(characteristics) ,”,
If one with stable mind understands this and
realizes that ,
Everything is only bliss which is eternal , divine and pure,
That one whether he
is an outcaste or a Brahmin is my
concept of a Guru.
3.Saaaswan nasvarameva
viswamakhila nischithya vaachaa guro,
Nithyam Brahma nirantharam
vimrusathaa nivyajsanthathmana,
Bhootham bhavi cha
dushkrutham pradahathaa samvinmaye paavake,
Prarabdhaaya samarpitham swapuririthyesha maneesha mama.
a.I am fully convinced by the Preceptor’s
words that the entire Universe is
a transitory illusion and that the human
body is given to constantly
meditate on the infinite and supreme Being
with a serene and unquestioning
mind and thus to burn in that sacred Fire
the sins with which the
human
is born.
b.He who has done long reflections upon his teacher's
words that this world of change is permanently in a state of flux; he who has
tamed his mind to a true state of quiet and poise; he who has brought his mind,
devoid of all dissimilar thoughts, constantly to contemplate upon Brahman; he
who has burnt up all his past and future residual-vaasanas in the fire of Pure
Consciousness; he who has offered his body to live through and exhaust its
present destiny he alone is my Guru, 'be he a sweeper, be he a braahmana.'
c. Having come to the definite
conclusion, under the
instruction of his Guru, that the entire
universe is always
perishable, he who, with a calm and
pure mind constantly
meditates on Brahman, and who has
burnt his past and
future sins in the fire of
knowledge, submits his present body
to the operation of his prArabdha
karma. This is my
conviction.
d.This entire universe, apparently continuing, is
perishable and impermanent as per the decisive proclamation of the Lord. The
Brahman, indeed, is permanent, everlasting and is undifferentiated and
peerless, if one analyzed carefully with an untainted, unaffected, peaceful and
tranquil intelligence. The differences in our physical bodies are the products
of imprints of all our previous sinful/good deeds, pertaining to the past,
present and future. The one who perfectly reduces these imprints to ashes in
the flaming fire of knowledge is the best informed. This is my perfect
conviction.
e
Those who realize from the teachings of a learned teacher
That world is not permanent and undergoes constant change
Those who control the mind and keeps it in peace and balance
And burn the past, present and acquired deeds in the fire of knowledge
Those who dedicate the body to the cause of knowing the truth
And strive hard to know the Brahman the supreme living within
He is my teacher; he may be a Chandala or Brahmana
Know this is my firm resolve and final decision.
Those who realize from the teachings of a learned teacher
That world is not permanent and undergoes constant change
Those who control the mind and keeps it in peace and balance
And burn the past, present and acquired deeds in the fire of knowledge
Those who dedicate the body to the cause of knowing the truth
And strive hard to know the Brahman the supreme living within
He is my teacher; he may be a Chandala or Brahmana
Know this is my firm resolve and final decision.
f.I say with my prudent reflection and conviction through
Guru’s words, that this entire Universe is transitory and only the Brahma or
Supreme Spirit is permanent; the human body is delivered unto us as our
praarabdha to meditate on that Absolute constantly with a calm and pure mind
and after awakening with this fire of self effulgent intellect (wisdom), that
individual burns his past and the future karma in that shining fire of
knowledge and will just surrender his present body to the praarabdha.
g.Coming to the
conclusion that this world is entirely
perishable ,
And not permanent
after hearing the words of the Guru,
And if one discusses within his
mind and decides that
The Brahmam Is forever and
not perishable ,
And burns in his fire of
knowledge the karmic load,
Earned in
the past , present and future ,
Then it is my decision that he
is my guru.
4.Ya thiryag nara
devathaabhi rahamithyaantha sphutaa gruhyathe ,
Yad bhasaa hrudayaaksha
deha vishayaa bhanthi swatho chethanaa ,
Thaam bhasyai pihitharka
mandala nibhaam sphurthim sadaa bhavayaa,
Nyogi nirvrutha manaso hi
gururithyeshaa , maneeshaa mama.
a.In my considered opinion that Yogi is
great who has clearly grasped within
himself the truth and quality of the supreme
Being through which all our
activities are performed and whose
effulgence is hidden by ignorance [of
an
ordinary person] even as the sun’s halo is covered/hidden by the clouds.
b.A yogee with his hushed mind lives, meditating upon
That, which expresses as 'I--I' the subjective individuality in all creatures:
plant, animal, human and angels; That, by whose Light, mind and senses and body
are all enlivened to activity, even though they are all made up of inert and
insentient matter; That, which illumines everything as Sun from behind a bank
of clouds - He alone is my Guru: this is my firm conviction.
c. The Self or pure consciousness is
experienced clearly within
by animals, men, and gods as ‘I’. It
is by the reflection of this
pure consciousness that the mind,
senses and body, which are
all insentient, appear to be
sentient. External objects are
perceived only because of this
consciousness. This Self is,
however, concealed by the very mind,
senses and body which
are illumined by it, just as the sun
is concealed by clouds. The
yogi who, with a calm mind, always
meditates on this Self is
my
Guru. This is my conviction.
d.The
Self or pure consciousness is experienced clearly within by all animals, human
beings and the gods alike as the 'I'. It is by the reflection of this pure consciousness
that the mind, sense organs and the body which are insentient, appear to be
sentient. External objects are perceived only because of this. This Self is,
however, concealed by this very mind, senses and body which are illuminated by
it, just as the Sun is concealed by the clouds. A person of perfect realization
and wisdom due to his complete and clear understanding ever meditates in his
mind on this supreme consciousness. Such a person is the real preceptor. This
is my perfect conviction.
e
Those who realize that the one manifesting in trees animals, men and gods
And being identified with the body and the fad of me and mine
Those who realize that the Brahman illuminates the idle, stale and minds
Like clouds brightened by sun that again cover up the sun
That yet remains self illuminated and that is Brahman
As realized by one and know he is my teacher;
He may be a Chandala of lower birth or Brahmana
Know this is my firm resolve and final decision.
Those who realize that the one manifesting in trees animals, men and gods
And being identified with the body and the fad of me and mine
Those who realize that the Brahman illuminates the idle, stale and minds
Like clouds brightened by sun that again cover up the sun
That yet remains self illuminated and that is Brahman
As realized by one and know he is my teacher;
He may be a Chandala of lower birth or Brahmana
Know this is my firm resolve and final decision.
f.I clearly arrive at the perception with my prudent
reflection and say with conviction that, the one who sees the ever effulgent
consciousness in all animals, human beings and gods; and the one who says that
it is by the reflection of this effulgent consciousness that makes all the
body, mind and sense organs as sentient even though they are insentient; who
says that all the external objects are perceived only through this
consciousness, which is hidden as the clouds hide the self-effulgent sun’s
halo; the one who meditates always on that eternal consciousness and is always
in that state of stillness, that great one is the Guru, preceptor
g.That which is
understood within themselves as the
self by men, devas and animals,
And that which is
illuminated by the self within oneself
as the mind body and sense organs ,
Hides the real self like a
dark cloud hides those lit by a sparkling sun,
And that Yogi
with emancipated mind who understands this is considered by me as my Guru.
5.Yath soukhyam ambudhi
lesa lesatha yime sakradhayo nirvruthaa ,
Yath chithe nitharaam
prasantha kalane labdhwaa muni nirvruthaa,
Yasmin nithya sukhambudhou
galthadhir brahmaiva na brahma vidh,
Ya kaschithsa surendra
vanditha pado noonam maneesha mama.
a.I am convinced that whoever has his mind
dwelling upon the Great Being
who is being worshipped by Indra and other
gods and is thus completely at
peace with himself has not only understood
Brahman but he is himself that
great
Brahman!
b.During its moments of utter quiet, a yogee's mind gains
that Ocean of Bliss, a tiny droplet from which is sufficient to make Indra and
others feel contented and happy. Such a one who has dissolved his individual
intellect in this Eternal Ocean of Bliss, is verily Brahman, not a mere Knower
of Brahman - That rare one, whose feet are worshipped even by the very King of
Gods indeed, he alone is my Guru; this is my firm conviction.
c. The Self, which is Brahman, is
the eternal ocean of supreme
bliss. A minute fraction of that
bliss is enough to satisfy Indra
and other gods. By meditating on the
Self with a perfectly calm
mind the sage experiences
fulfillment. The person whose mind
has become identified with this Self
is not a mere knower of
Brahman, but Brahman itself. Such a
person, whoever he may
be, is one whose feet are fit to be
worshipped by Indra himself.
This
is my definite conviction.
d.The Self (Brahman) is the eternal ocean of Supreme
Bliss. A minute fraction of this Bliss Supreme is adequate to satisfy the Indra
and other celestials. Only by meditating with a perfectly calm mind on this
Bliss Supreme, and not by any other special means, the sages experience
adequate fulfillment. Whose intellect is ever unified with the eternal ocean of
this Bliss Supreme, he is not a mere knower of the Brahman, but he is the
Brahman itself. Such a person, whosoever he may be, and no matter at all, his
feet are worthy to be worshiped by the Indra and all other gods. Definite, this
is my firm understanding.
e.
The one under bliss realizes the truth
That God Indra and others derive happiness and satisfaction
That result from smallest fraction of happiness
The one who submerges his mind in eternal happiness
And becomes a Brahman and worshiped even by Indra the king of gods
Know! He is my teacher;
He may be a Chandala or Brahmana
Know this is my firm resolve and final decision.
Note. Chandala... Untouchable
The one under bliss realizes the truth
That God Indra and others derive happiness and satisfaction
That result from smallest fraction of happiness
The one who submerges his mind in eternal happiness
And becomes a Brahman and worshiped even by Indra the king of gods
Know! He is my teacher;
He may be a Chandala or Brahmana
Know this is my firm resolve and final decision.
Note. Chandala... Untouchable
f.It is my strong conviction that the person who is always in
that ocean of eternal bliss is not a mere knower of Brahman, but Brahman
itself. Even the minutest portion of that bliss is enough to satisfy the Indra
and other gods. By meditating on that Supreme ever effulgent, permanent
consciousness with calm mind melted in that ocean of bliss and is always in
that awareness, he is completely fulfilled. Whosoever that individual, his feet
are fit to be worshipped even by the lord of kings Indra himself. This is my
prudent reflection and conviction.
g.The self is an ocean of
eternal bliss and a minute part of it
would make Indra and Devas happy,
The sages meditating with
a mind of peace on this self and not on any other aspect would attain perfect bliss,
And he who identifies himself with this ocean of bliss is not the knower of Brahman but Brahman itself,
And the feet of such a person regardless of who he is, is fit
to be saluted and this is my belief.
Epilogue
Dasastheham deha
drushtyasmi shambho,
Jathastheso jeeva
drushtyaa tridrushte ,
Sarvasyathman athma
drushtyaa thwameva,
Thwevam may
dheernischithaa sarva sathrai .
a. Oh
Lord ! In the form of body I am your servant . In the form of life, O
three-eyed one, I am part of yourself . In
the form of soul, you are
within me and in every other soul.I have arrived
at this conclusion through
my
intellect and on the authority of the various scriptures.
d.O!
Lord, the three eyed one (who is the all knower of the past, present and
future)! In the form of this physical equipment, the body, I am the servant of
You and thus of all. In the form of the life principle with in me, I am the
part and parcel of You and thus of all. In the form the soul, You are within me
and similarly in every other being or animal or thing that I behold. I have
arrived at this conclusion after thorough reflection in my intellect -
illuminated by all the sacred texts.
g.Oh Lord! I am thy servant dressed in the form of this body.
Oh three eyed one! I am a part of Yourself dressed in the form of life. Thou
art alone who is present in the form of soul within me and without me; inside
me, outside of me and in every other soul. I arrive at this conclusion with
conviction through the intellect and based upon the authentic knowledge of all
scriptures that Thou Art the Only One.
Oh Lord Shambhu,
who sees the past, present
and future ,
In this form of a body of
mine which you see , I am your slave
In the form of the soul , I am part and parcel of yourself,
You are within me and in
all others as the soul ,
And I have come to this conclusion ,
Based on all scriptures
and by deep thought.