प्रबोधसुधाकरः- Prabodhasudhakara by Adi Sankaracharya's (Nectar- Ocean of Enlightenment Original Text in Samskrta With Translation and Notes by Sri Samvid)

Dakshinamurti Stotra - A great poem in world literature. Dakshinamurti Stotra reveals the poet and mystic in Adi Shankaracharya in unison t the highest altitudes his being.

The four sons of Brahman born of his mind - MANASA PUTRAS - declined to continue the line of creation. Intent on returning to the source they found themselves in the presence of Lord Siva as Jnana - Dakshinamurti in a blissful inner state of "Knowledge by identity". The thin veil over their eyes dropped as they, along with other sages, gazed at the luminous Silence. The perfect teaching was given and received in Silence. Adi Shankaracharya realised it in his own person and he gave utterance to that Silence of Compassionate Knowledge in these ten stanzas of winged words for the benefit of humanity.

Sri Suresvarachayra wrote a commentary Manasollasa - Brilliant play of thought - on this hymn of his Master to enlighten those who needed further help. Added to these texts are the ancient Dakshinamurti Upanishad and Suresvaracharya's Pranava Vartika in Nagari script. The translation of these four text into English is by Sri Alladi Mahadeva Sastry Ji, the well known scholar whose mastery introductory essay: The Vedanta Doctrine of Sankaracharya will help the reader immensely.

Prabodhasudhakara (The Nectar-ocean of Enlightenment) is one of the lesser-known works of Sri Sankaracarya, the greatest exponent of monistic Vedanta. It consists of 257 verses divided into 19 sections, which present a lucid exposition of the philosophy of monistic Vedanta and the way leading to the realisation of Ultimate Reality.

In the clarity and directness of its treatment of the subject and in the numerous homely analogies that are employed to expound the principles of Vedanta, it is perhaps unequalled even by the other popular works of the great author. But what makes it outstanding is the fact that it completely reconciles Knowledge (jnana) and Devotion (bhakti) as equally valid methods for the direct experience of Ultimate Reality. The devotional fervour of the author shines through the last four sections of the work containing some exquisite and unforgettable verses. Further, the author consistently recognises the need for the cessation of the thought-waves of the mind and its absorption into the Source which is pure Being-Consciousness, for the attainment of jnana or Intuitive Knowledge.

This work does not appear to have been translated into English so far, though a number of translations in the vernacular are available. The translator has attempted a literal translation, without sacrificing the sense and spirit of the orginal. This attempt had many constraints because of the profound nature of the subject and the radical distances in idiom between Samskrta and English. It was found necessary to take some liberties with English idiom at places, so that the import and spirit of the original could be faithfully presented. In the opinion of the translator, this would be a better course than compromising with the sense of the original, in order to present an English version which is meticulously idiomatic and possesses literary excellence. We should not forget that we are trying to understand the sublime thoughts of the great author and the philosophy and practice of Vedanta as expounded by him. Notes have been added to many verses to achieve this end. In the translation, implied words and alternative meanings are given within brackets.

The translator hopes that this presentation of this great work of Sri Sankaracarya, will help many spiritual seekers to understand and practise the most essential disciplines for Perfection and Liberation, viz., contemplation on the Self and God-love.

**Contents and Sample Pages**