Yoga in view of Adi Shankaracharya

Paramanand Institute of Yoga Sciences & Research

Adi Shankara Acharya's Teachings :

The following are some important views expressed by Adi
Shankaracharya in his bhashyas.

1. AYAM TU EKADARSHEE NA BIBHETI KUTASHCHNA (Br. U 4.4.15)

( One who does not see the differencesdoes not fear anyone).

2. DEHAADI ATMABUDDHIHI AVIDVAAN RAAGADVESHAADI PRAYUKTO
DHARMAADHARMAADI ANUSHTAANAKRIT) (Geeta bhaashya 13.2)

( one who considers the body as atma
indulges in papa-punya karmas influenced by Raaga and dvesha.)

3. PRAANINAM SUKHAPRAAPTAYE DHARMO
VIDHEEYATHE, DUKHA PARIHAARAAYA CHA ADHARMA
PRATHISHIDYATHE.- (Sootrabhashya 1.3.30)

(Dharma is prescribed for gettingpleasure and adharma is prescribed to avoid sorrow)

4. PRATYAKSHAA CHA VIDVATH SAMYOGE PRAJNAAVRIDDHIHI (Br.U. 3.1.1.)

(It is evident that if one lives in thecompany of learned people intellect grows).

5. AMEDHASO HI SHREEHI ANARTHAAYVA (Thy U 1.4.3)

(wealth in the hands of the foolis dangerous)

6. NA CHA AJNAANA VYATIRIKTENA MOKSHASYA VYAVADHAANANTARAM
KALPAYITUM SHAKYAM ( Br. U.3.3.1)

( It is difficult to imagine that otherthan Ajnaana there is any other impediment for moksha)

7.DURLABHAM TRAYAMEVYTAT DYVAANUGRAHA
HETUKAM
MANUSHYATVAM MUMUKSHUTVAM MAHAAPURUSHA
SAMSHRAYAHA (Viveka Choodaamani 3).

( to born as man, desire for liberationand company of great men are the three most difficult things to get
in life and these are given only by God's grace).

8. Na HI LOKE VITTALAABHAHA KASYA CHIT TRIPTIKARO DRISHTAHA (kata U.1.27).

( That financial profits providesatisfaction to anyone is not seen in the world)

9.YADAA EESHAANAM DEVAM ANJASAA AATMATVENA PASHYATI NA TADAA NINDATI
VAA KANCHIT, SARVAM AATMAANAM HI PASHYATI, SA EVAM PASHYAN KAM ASOW
NINDYAATH.- (Br, U 4.4.15)

(when one understands that Eeshaana himself is one's atma he does not
blame anyone. Does he not consider every one as Atma, Then whom can heblame ?)

10. MAARGAAVARTITA PAADUKAA PASHUPATHERANGASYA KOORCHAAYATHE,
GANDOOSHAAMBUNISHECHANAM PURARIPORDIVYAABHISHEKAAYATHE
KINCHIDBHAKSHITA MAAMSASHESHAKABALAM NAVYOPAHAARAAYATHE
BHAKTIHI KIM NA KAROTYAHO VANACHARO BHAKTAAVATAMSAAYATHE
(Shivaanandalahari 63)

(what cannot be done by bhakti? Even a hunter could be a greatbhakta)

11. DEVE CHA VEDE CHA GUROW CHA MANTRE
TEERTHE MAHATMANYAPI BHESHAJE CHA
SHRADDHAA BHAVATYASYA YATHA YATHAANTA
STHATHA THATHA SIDDHIRUDETI PUMSAAM (Sarva Vedanta Siddhartha
saarasangraha 213)

(In God, Vedas, guru, mantras, teerthas, mahatmas and medicines whenman keeps great belief, the utility is more)

12. NA CHAANYATRA PARAMAATMAJNAANAAT SHOKA VINIVRITTIRASTI
(Sootrabhaashya 1.3.8

( without the knowledge of God sorrow does not vanish)

13. Na hi anutsaahavathaam ananutishtataam alasaanaam bhogapraptihi loke
drishtaa. ( Ch, U, 3.6.2)

( those lazy persons who donot perform their duties with enthusiasmcannot get pleasure in life,

14. VAAGVYKHAREE SHABDAJHAREE SHASTRAVYAKHYAANA KOUSHALAM
VYDUSHYAM VIDUSHAAM THADVATH BHUKTAYE NA TU MUKTAYE (Viveka
choodaamani 60)

(the speaking ability of the scholars, the influence of the words,
intelligent interpretation of the shastras etc., could be useful for
getting pleasure in this world and not for mukti)