Sadacarah (Adi Sankaracarya)

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The state of ignorance in which we suffer the limitations of body, mind and intellect is gained by us, as a result of sheer practice. We have also practised through ages, the acquisition of knowledge in an objective way. This objectifying tendency of our intellect tends to delay our successful entry into the subjective field of Self-enquiry.

The master-mind Bhagavan Sankaracarya, has helped the student in overcoming this obstacle through his "prakarana grantha-s". He takes, as a pivot, a small erroneous notion of our thinking, and makes us re- think, so that we may recognise our fallacy and reorganise our thinking processes. This is the way Sankara helps us to recognise our own nature.

In some grantha-s he takes non-appreciation of "the rarity and uniqueness of human birth" and makes us understand the purpose of life, as he does in "Bhaja-govindam". In his "Manasapuja' he helps a student to be a Saksi (witness) of his sankalpa-s (thoughts) and devote them in the remembrance of the Lord.

Sedacara, is such a text. I came across this beautiful and subtle text in our" Sandipany Sadhanalaya" library during the course of my study. The old, torn, perforated commentary, written in Marathi metre (Ovi), by some unknown master was the inspiration that compelled me to study this text in greater depth. The text gives a grand vision about the daily obligatory duties ordained for a man of good conduct. Having given the vision of the Pure Self in and through all daily duties, the teacher expounds" Tat tvam asi mahavakya" in a unique way. This is followed by "the Practice of Knowledge" (jnana abhyasa).

The same vision helps a student to understand the meaning of the four stages of life viz., Brahmacarya, Grhastha, Vanaprastha and Sannyasa.

This text was first dealt with in my Pune yajna. Most of the students were keen to have notes on the text. This has helped me in reflection on the "Great Grand Truth". The result is this 'loud thinking'.

None of the thoughts in the following pages is mine. Behind these thoughts are the directions and guidance that I received from my Teachers and great seers of our country, whenever I had opportunity to have their Satsang.

Offered at the Lotus Feet of Pujye Gurudev.