Book Review

Jivanmuktabharati - by His Holiness Sri Chandrasekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal. Published by Sri Sadguru Shankaracharya Mahasamsthanam, Dakshinamnaya Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri. Pp. 90. Price: Rs.15. Copies available at: The Book Shop, Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri 577 139.

Sri Chandrasekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal was a jivanmukta (liberated even while living). As is mentioned by his disciple and successor to the peetham, Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Maha-swamigal, in an article in this book, he was extraordinarily receptive to the sacred instruction of his guru, Sri Sachhidananda Sivabhinava Nrisimha Bharati Maha-swamigal, and himself became a great Advaita Acharya. His commentary on Adi Sankara Bhagavatpada’s Viveka Chudamani testifies to his brilliance.

He once started writing elucidation of the Brahmasutra-bhashya, but soon his mind, revelling in meditation, ceased to engage in anything else. Hence, only a fragment of the proposed commentary is available and it is our good fortune that the present Sringeri Acharya has authorized publication of that fragment, which deals with a very difficult portion of the Brahma Sutra Bhashya–the Adhyasa Bhasya.

Adi Sankara Bhagavatpada’s bhashya on the Brahma Sutra is hailed by scholars as Prasanna Gambheera–the masterpiece of a commentary. Adi Sankara tackles the puport of the sutra with masterly terseness, clarity and forcefulness.

The sutra method of conveying spiritual knowledge is a sacred part of the spiritual tradition of India in the communication of Adyathma Vidya as well as other subjects. Though by definition a sutra is characterized by alpakshara, asandigdam and sarvato-mukham, the Brahma Sutra is often impenetrably obscure.

Prof. S Ramaswamy

© "Tattvaloka" (May 2000) published by Vidyatheertha Mahaswamigal Education Trust, New # 76, Old # 138, Eldams Road, Teynampet,Chennai 600 018. Website:www.tattvaloka.com. Reprinted with permission.

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