Svarupa Anusandhana Ashtakam [2]

Svaroopa Anusandhana Ashtakam
[Octet on search for our own form]
By Adi Sankara
Translated by P. R. Ramachander

[Here is another great prayer of philosophy from the great Adhi Sankara. I have only given the peripheral meaning and not delved in its interpretation.]

1. Thapo yagna dhaanadhibhi, Sudha budhir,
Virakthe nrupadhe padhe thucha budhyaa,
Parithyajya sarvam yathapnothi thathwam,
Param brahma nithyam thadhevahamasmi.

By practicing, Penances, Yagnas and charity,
With pure thought and leaving out insignificant thought of even a position of a king
And sacrificing everything, if one adopts philosophy (Principles behind things),
He would permanently own the knowledge of divine Brahman.

2. Dhayalum Gurum Brahmanishtam prasantham,
Samaradhya madhyaa vicharya swaroopam,
Yad aapnothi thathwam nidhidhyasya Vidwan,
Param brahma nithyam thadhevahamasmi.

By worshipping that Guru who is merciful, and peaceful,
And in between thinking about that form of Brahman,
If one who practices profound meditation makes philosophy his own
He would permanently own the knowledge of divine Brahman.

3. Yad Aananda roopam, Prakasa swaroopam,
Nirastha prapancham paricheda heenam,
Aham Brahma vruthaieka gamyam thureeyam,
Param brahma nithyam thadhevahamasmi.

If one with a form of joy and a form of luster,
Casts off this world and he does not have a faint heart,
And he travels towards thureeya* state and expands towards Brahmam,
He would permanently own the knowledge of divine Brahman.
* 4th state of soul beyond waking, sleeping and state of dream

4. Yatha jnantho bathi viswam samastham,
Vinashtam cha sadhyo, yad Atma prabothe,
Manovak adheetham Vishudham, Vimuktham,
Param brahma nithyam thadhevahamasmi.

If the entire world appears like only wisdom,
And if one looses it instantly and if One's soul wakes up,
He becomes beyond mind and speech, pure and free,
And would permanently own the knowledge of divine Brahman.

5. Nishedhe, kruthe nethi netheethi vakhyai,
Samadhi sthithaanaam yadabhathi poornam,
Avasthathrya atheetham advaitha mekam,
Param brahma nithyam thadhevahamasmi.

Negating by use of "Not this", "Not this",
Being in Samadhi, looking like he is complete,
And if he is beyond normal three states and
Experiences there is no two but only one,
Then he would permanently own the knowledge of divine Brahman.

6. Yad aananda lesai samanandhi viswam,
Yada bhathi sathve thatha bhathi sarvam,
Yadhalokane roopam anyath samastham,
Param brahma nithyam thadhevahamasmi.

If one ceases to be joyous but enjoys the universe,
And seeing the beings concludes that everything is like this,
And is able to see all forms as not different from any other,
Then he would permanently own the knowledge of divine Brahman.

7. Anantham Vibhum nirvikalpam nireeham,
Shivam sanga heenam yadoangara kamyam,
Nirakaram athyujjwalam mruthyuheenam,
Param brahma nithyam thadhevahamasmi.

That Lord without an end free from any differences and free from any desires,
Is Peaceful, without company, desires the state of perfection,
Which is without any shape, greatly lustrous and without death
Then he would permanently own the knowledge of divine Brahman.

8. Yada anantha sindhou nimagna pumaansya,
Tha vidhyaa vilasa samastha prapancha,
Thadhaa na sphurath adbutham yannimitham,
Param brahma nithyam thadhevahamasmi.

That Gentle man who drowns himself in the endless sea,
And has an expert knowledge of the entire universe.
Would not get a feeling a surprise because of that
And he would permanently own the knowledge of divine Brahman.

9. Swaroopa anusandhana roopaam sthuthim ya,
Padeth aadarath bhakthi bhavo manushya,
Srunotheeha va nithyam udyuktha chitho,
Bhaveth Vishnurath raithraiva veda pramanath

This prayer which tries to investigate the form,
If read with devotion and concentration
Or if heard with concentrated active mind,
He would become all pervading and have authority of Veda.

Ithi Sri Paramahamsa Parivrarajaka aacharyasta,
Sri Govinda Bhagwath poojya pada Sishyasya,
Srimath Sankara bhagawatha kruthou,
Swaroopaanusandhashtakam sampoornam.

Thus ends the octet on investigation of ones own self which was written by Sri Sankara Bhagwath Pada, who was the disciple of the honourable Sri Govinda Bhagawatpada, who was great saint and Guru.