True Education and Man and God

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6.

Through, 'Bhaja Govindam', Acharya Sankara gives a survey of a true

education, that is, the methods by which we can bring about a new

and healthier outlook on life. To the students who are capable of

getting deeper into the philosophical suggestions depicted in these

verses, there is a consoling philosophy and a satisfying view of

life in the poem 'Bhaja Govindam'. It also reminds him not to be

helplessly stupid in his relationship with the world outside.

 

With its scientific accuracy Bhaja Govindam analyses the shell of

wrong thoughts that conceals the glory in man. It gives an eloquent

picture of the art of realization, and provides a deper diagnosis

for the human happiness. Bhaja Govindam not only indicates to the

students the goal, the path, but also reveals unto him the

afflictions of his present way-of-life and the dreadful consequences

that await him if he continues to pursue the path of ego and desire.

 

Bhaja Govindam is one of the seemingly smaller, but in fact

extremely important and impressive works of Adi Sankara. Here the

fundamentals of Vedanta are taught in simple, musical verses. The

musical rhythm in these stanzas makes it easy even for children to

remember and repeat these imaginative verses. For an intelligent

young man, a sincere study of this poem can remove all his delusions

(moha) and therefore the poem is called as 'Moha-Mudgara'.