Power of discrimination

In its most fundamental aspect, Shankara advocated a way of life that finally leads the individual to the discovery of his true nature and thus the realisation of the fact of his oneness with all of creation. That his philosophy survives to this day bears testimony to the validity and value of his teachings.

In a brief life span of 32 years, Shankara produced a number of philosophical treatises for the learned and the common man. From his seminal commentaries on the Upanishads to the simple verses on the various Gods, Shankara's works span the entire gamut of spiritual and philosophical writings. Among them "Vivekachudamani" is noted for the lucidity of exposition of answers to certain basic questions that dog the true seeker of enlightenment. It expounds on the need for identifying the differences between the permanent and transitory, the real and the illusory through a process of correct discrimination, achieved only through true knowledge. It is in the form of a dialogue between the preceptor and his disciple, wherein the pupil seeks answers to his doubts in the form of seven basic questions, to which the Guru expatiates, in the process highlighting the path to be followed by all of humanity in order to lead a life of righteousness.  

The cardinal tenet of the Advaitic school is that liberation from the endless cycle of birth and death is possible only by attaining true knowledge of the self. How to attain this power of discrimination is the theme of "Vivekachudamani", aptly called the "Crest Jewel of Discrimination".

The cycle of birth and death is the result of actions of individuals, both good and bad in previous lives. Action is prompted by desire, which arises from a sense of incompleteness in the individual, who identifies himself with his body as well as the worldly things. This creates a desire to acquire such things in the hope that they will give him happiness. It is here that the confusion with the things that provide illusory happiness and that which is non-illusory arises. This confusion can be annulled by discriminating between the two. The method of acquiring this power of discrimination, to be free from the bondage of worldly attachments and to be emancipated from the ills of life are to be found in the Guru's answers to his pupil.