Vivekachudamani Verse 1

Notes: Viveka means discrimination, cūda is crest, and maņi, jewel. Hence the title means ‘Crest-jewel of discrimination’. Just as the jewel on the crest of a diadem is the most conspicuous ornament on a person’s body, so the present treatise is a masterpiece among works treating of discrimination between the Real and the unreal. In this opening stanza, salutation is made to God (Govinda), or to the Guru, in his absolute aspect. It may be interesting to note that the name of Sankara’s Guru was Govindapāda, and the śloka is ingeniously composed so as to admit of both interpretations.

Sadguru-literally, the highly qualified preceptor (teacher), and may refer either to Sankara’s own guru or to God Himself, who is the Guru of gurus.