Swamy's Suggestion

[Guest guest]

Dear Raghav,

 

Sai Ram. It is very good that such wonderful hymns like Nirvana Shatkam

are being uploaded with meaning. However, it is in zip file format which

not only requires downloading but unzipping. Many of us don't have the

regular version of unzipping software and are

having only trial or evaluation versions. Sometimes, the software is not

allowing us to unzip the file.

 

It is therefore my humble request that all such files may pl. be offered

in .pdf, html or .doc format too.

 

It will also be a good idea to give the background of importnat hymns

like Nirvana Shatkam along with the meaning. For the benefit of some

members who may not know or readily remember, I would like to submit a

little background about Nirvana Shatkam.

 

Sri Adi Shankara left home when he was just about 8 years old and went

to the banks of Narmada (the exact place which he visited eludes my

memory now, and I hope that some one else will fill this gap). He stood

outside the cave of of his would be Guru and announced himself (probably

by chanting his pravara, though that

is doubtful since he already took sanyas). On a formal enquiry from Sri

Govindapadacharya (the Guru) as to who is there, Sri Sankara composed

the Nirvana Shatkam , at once displaying his knowledge of Sanskrit,

ability to compose slokas off-hand and most importantly his brahma jnan.

He disidentifies himself

with manas, intellect, ahmkara, his body parts, his food, his act of

feeding himself etc. and identifies himself with his atman which is sat,

chit, ananda swarupa and Siva. Needless to say, the Guru is pleased with

Sri Sankara and gives him the formal sanyasa

deeksha and he becomes known as Sankara Bhagawatpadacharya.

 

I would request more knowledgeable scholars in the group to give the

complete details which can be given as background. If we can also get

the audio so beautifully rendered by Tanguturi Suryakumari garu, it

would be wonderful.

 

Sai Ram. May He bless your efforts.

 

Swamy