Bhaja Govindam Moodhamate a book review

[Guest guest]

Bhaja Govindam Moodhamate

Book Review by Mrs. M. Rajya Sri

Bhagavan Prem Siddharth.

Bhaja Govindam , Bhaja Govindam

Govindam Bhaja Moodamathe

Samprapte Sannihite Kale

Nahi nahi Rakshati Dukrunkarane!

Every one of us has heard this sloka and we also know the

story behind it, but let me recollect it here once again.

Sri Adi Sankaracharya, once grieved to see an old man

learning by rote grammatical rules. `Dukrunkarana.' The spontaneous

overflow of powerful feeling of Sri Adi Sankaracharya gave rise to

the famous `Bhaja Govindam `slokas- the best guide to attain Gnana.

The Acharya advises the old man to do `Bhaja Govindam' pray

to God from now itself. Otherwise when he stands at death's door,

his grammar will not save him. So far good! But why did he address

a man older than him `Moodamathe'? Isn't it against the rules of

Hindu dharma?

No! If a person tells us `you are blind, you can't see

properly' we get irritated, but if an eye specialist tells us the

same thing, we are not irritated, we get scared. We are prepared to

undergo the needed treatment. `The same way if the adiguru calls a

stranger Moodamathe it is not with ill feeling, but with concern

against his foolishness' says Bhagavan Prem Siddharth in his `Bhaja

Govindam Moodhamate' in Telugu.

This book is an apt analysis of Sri Sankaracharya's

teaching. If Sri Sankaracharya's slokas lead us to the attainment of

Gnana, Bhagavan Prem Sidharth's explanations lead us to the right

understanding of his teachings. In the course of explanation he

drives out various misconceptions regarding the religious practices

and regarding the slokas of the Acharya.

For instance he strikes at the root of the deep rooted

feeling `We should give up samsara to attain gnana or moksha. `Kate

kanta kaste putra ?' Who is your wife who is your son, doyou think

they will help you in your old age ? This is the true meaning of

that line but Sri Prem Siddharth has driven out our misconception.

He has elaborated on `what is Samara'? Samsara doesnot refer to

wife, children, relatives or friends. Avidya - ignorance is samsara.

What is samsara? Why are we born again and again? Who are

our parents? Who is a gnani? How does he attain Gnana? How should

he lead his life? Where should he look for Gnana? Who is God and

who are we? We have clear cut answers to these questions with many

examples, explanations and anecdotes. Seeking the knowledge of the

self is Govinda Bhajana. Since Govinda is all pervading, what I am

is nothing but God. The answer to the question, `Who am I `gives

you an answer to the question `Who is God?'

Once Sri Rama asked Anjaneya, `Who are you?' `Anjaneya

answered, `Swami, in terms of body, I am your devotee. In terms of

life I am a part of you. In terms of Atma in philosophy -

Tvamevaham - you are me and I am you. Sarvam Rama Mayam. Everything

is Rama' Visualising Vishnu (Rama) in everything is Vaisnav

philosophy. Visualising Siva in everything is Saiva philosophy. But

realizing that Siva, Vishnu, Rama all are different names of one God

and learning everything is Paramathma is Govinda Bhaja says Sri Prem

Sidhardha.

Every Hindu should read this book to know our Sanathana

dharma. It drives out our ignorance of our religion. It explains

that nothing else except Gnana can give us Moksha. If we have agnana

regarding a Ghatam can we get rid of it by having a bath in the holy

rivers? Accordingly, if we have Agnana regarding us, can we get rid

of it by doing something else?

 

Title - Bhaja Govindam Moodhamate

Writer - Prem Sidharth

Language - Telugu

Price - Rs. 125/-

For copies - Siddharth Publications

23-8-4 Adiseshaiah Street

Satyanarayanapuram

Vijayawada - 11

AP, India

Ph: 91-866-2530448

Shortly available in English.