"Atma bodha - Day 01 / 08" Talk in English by Swami Aparajitananda, Chinmaya Mission Mangaluru.

Hari Om!

Swāmī Aparājitānanda jī explains magnificently the popular prakarana grantha, Ātmabodha (Knowledge of the Supreme Self), composed by Bhagavān Ādi Shankarāchārya jī wherein fundamental concepts of Vedānta are explained beautifully in 68 verses with the help of simple examples. In the order of the scheme of study of scriptures prescribed by Pūjya Gurudev Swāmī Chinmayānanda jī, the study of Ātmabodha is normally taken up after studying Tattvabodha.

The first verse lays down the qualifications that we must cultivate to get the maximum benefit of this text. Swāmījī revises the concepts of sādhana chatushtaya and the six fold wealth from Tattvabodha here in the context of the first verse. He also explains the many connotations of "tapas" and elaborates also in the light of Chp. 3 of Shrīmad Bhagavad Gītā.

The goal of the study of this text and its importance is also made clear at the very beginning. Swāmījī explains the real meaning of the term "moksha" and underlines the importance of Self Knowledge and finding the answer to the question "Who am I?". Connecting the lofty goal with our present state, he first outlines our problem by detailing the Law of Identification and then points to the solution to this problem.

Then two very relevant questions are discussed - whether only good and selfless actions can give moksha? And whether only devotion without knowledge can give us Self Knowledge? The effects of Self Knowledge and Self ignorance are also outlined.

Shankarārcharya jī and Swāmījī make the what, why and how crystal clear so that we can study further in a focused manner.

We are grateful to the Guru paramparā, Ādi Shankarāchārya jī and our Swāmī Aparājitānanda jī for gifting us and expounding upon this direct means of Liberation.

(Ātmabodha - verses 1 to 4)