Gnana Marga

[Guest guest]

A Prayer by Sree Adi Shankaracharya the Gnana Marga or the "Path of Knowledge" to attain Mukti, yielded to none in appreciating, indeed enjoining the Bhakti Marga or the "Path of Faith/Devotion" to the same goal. The Prayer one may be or not be aware is Gnana Marga. The

particular prayer leaves one in no doubt that the renunciation of our egotistical differences and surrender to God makes for salvation and none other. A Prayer that its name invokes the almighty in the aspect of Shree Vishnu himself.A prayer not only followed by the Smarthas, but also with Vaishnavas and others. The Legend

says: Oneday Sree Adi Shankaracharya was walking with his young Disciples in a Village in Varanasi , he came across an aged scholar teaching the rules of Sanskrit grammar to his students by rote. Taking pity on him, Shree Adi Shankaracharya went up to the scholar and advised him not to waste his time on grammar at his age but to turn his mind to God in worship and adoration. The hymn "Bhaja Govindam" is said to have been composed on this occasion. Beginning with the words "Bhaja Govindam",the composition consists of twenty-seven verses. Besides the refrain of the song. Shree Adi Shankaracharya is said to have sung twelve other verses. Hence, the hymn bears the title "Dvadasamanjarika-Stotra" (A hymn which is a bunch of twelve verse-blossoms). The fourteen disciples who were with the Master

on that occasion are believed to have added one verse each. These fourteen verses are together called "Chaturdasa-manjarika-Stotra" (A hymn which is a bunch of fourteen verse-blossoms). The verses are in the file Section.If one does read believe me you can feel yourself in each verse. Pranam, babitha.