Confusions with respect to "Bhaja Govindam"

[Guest guest]

Dear all

Bhaja Govindam written by [sankara] acharyaswamikal is rich in

its adwaita aspect. It is classified as a Prakarana

grantha, a primer to the major works. Though sung as a

bhajan, it contains the essence of vedanta and awakens

the man to think, "Why am I here in this life ? Why am

I amassing wealth, family, but have no peace ? What is

the Truth ? What is the purpose of life ?" Man is thus

awakened and gets set on a path to the inner road back

to God. The background of Bhaja GovindaM is worth

examining. During Shankara's stay in Kashi, he noticed

a very old man engaged in the early hours studying the

rules of sanskrit by Panini. Shankara was touched with

pity seeing the plight of the old man spending his

years at a mere intellectual accomplishment while he

would be better off praying and spending time to

control his mind. Shankara understood that the

majority of the world was also engaged in mere

intellectual, sense pleasures and not in the divine

contemplation. Seeing this, he burst forth with the

verses of Bhaja govindaM.

In 31 (some cite 33) verses, he, like no other,

explains our fallacies, our wrong outlook for life,

and dispells our ignorance and delusions. Thus bhaja

govindaM was originally known as Moha Mudgara, the

remover of delusions.

 

but i dont think there is room for confusion, if you

know about the authors. if remember correct,

Bhaja govindaM is divided into dvaadasa manjarika

stotram and chaturdasa manjarika stotram. At the end

of composing the first stanza, it is said that

Shankara burst forth with the next 12 stanzas of bhaja

govindam. Thus stanzas 1-12 are called dvaadas

manjarika stotram. Inspired by the extempore recital

by Shankara, each of his 14 disciples composed a verse

and the 14 verse compendium is called chaturdasa

manjarika stotram. Shankara added the finishing

touches by adding five of his own stanzas at the last

bring the total to 31. This edition shows 33 verses,

though the last 2 are not given in all versions.

this multiple authorship itself is the reason for a

mingling of bhakthi, dwaitha and adwaitha in Bhaja

Govindam. and hence it is known as Prakarana grantha

 

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