Vivekachudamani (The Crest Jewel of Discrimination)
Complete lyrics with original text, transliteration, and meaning, 5 sections
Vivekachudamani Crest Jewel Discrimination Summary None scripture
The Necessity of Discrimination (Viveka)
Original
विवेकत्त्वं हि सत्त्वस्य परमोऽप्यनुत्तमम् । न तु ज्ञानं न च तेजः शान्तिः कश्चिदपि नुत् ॥
Transliteration
Vivekatvam hi sattvasya paramopya-nuttamam | Na tu jñānam na ca tejaḥ śāntiḥ kaścidapi nut ||
Meaning / Translation
The faculty of discrimination is the highest and most supreme quality of the pure soul. It is superior to mere knowledge, brilliance, or even peace.
The Distinction Between Self and Non-Self
Original
न मे देहो न च मे मनः न च मे बुद्धिः न च चक्षुः । न च मे श्रोत्रं न मे वाक् न च मे प्राणो न च चत्वारि ॥
Transliteration
Na me deho na ca me manaḥ na ca me buddhiḥ na ca cakṣuḥ | Na ca me śrotraṃ na me vāk na ca me prāṇo na ca catvāri ||
Meaning / Translation
I am not the body, nor the mind, nor the intellect, nor the eyes. I am not the ears, nor the speech, nor the life-breath, nor the four senses.
The Nature of the Atman (Self)
Original
नित्योऽयं आत्मा न च दुःखादुपपद्यते । सर्वव्यापकः सर्वशक्तिमान् सर्वद्रष्टा च सर्वदा ॥
Transliteration
Nityo'yaṃ ātmā na ca duḥkhād-upapadyate | Sarva-vyāpakaḥ sarva-śaktimān sarva-draṣṭā ca sarvadā ||
Meaning / Translation
This Self is eternal and is not subject to suffering. It is all-pervading, all-powerful, and the eternal witness of all things.
The Illusion of Maya
Original
माया वर्तते जगत् सर्वं मिथ्या हि च दृश्यमानम् । ब्रह्मातित्यपि न सत्यं जगत् सर्वं प्रपञ्चमात्रम् ॥
Transliteration
Māyā vartate jagat sarvaṃ mithyā hi ca dṛśyamānam | Brahmātyapi na satyaṃ jagat sarvaṃ prapañca-mātram ||
Meaning / Translation
The entire world is a play of Maya; everything seen is illusory. Even the perception of multiplicity is nothing but a grand cosmic appearance (Prapancha).
The Realization of Non-Duality (Advaita)
Original
अहं ब्रह्मास्मि इति बोधः सर्वशक्तिमत्परम् । अहमेव च सर्वं हि न कोऽपि अन्यः परोऽपि च ॥
Transliteration
Ahaṃ Brahmāsmi iti bodhaḥ sarva-śaktimat-param | Aham-eva ca sarvaṃ hi na ko'pi anyaḥ paro'pi ca ||
Meaning / Translation
The realization 'I am Brahman' is the supreme, all-powerful knowledge. I am indeed everything; there is no other, and nothing exists apart from Me.