The 16th Vedanta Course at Sandeepany

Sadhanayala by Central Chinmaya Mission Trust

through Tara Cultural Trust, Powai, Mumbai
Sadhana Panchagam by Jagath Guru Shri Adi Sankaracharya Swamigal
In these five verses (slogans) Adi Sankaracharya enumerates some 40 items
that constitute the sadhana as per Vedanta. Ritualism can be a discipline only in
the field of the many dvaita. In advaita there cannot be sadhana in the form
of worship, invocation, surrender or sacrifice.
Yet, the student who is entangled within body-mind-intellect level is to be shown
the path by which he can steadily raise his vision into beyond these frontiersinto
one Self.
Adi Sankara in these five simple looking verses lovingly lists the ways and means
which can readily be followed by all students of Vedanta, seeking direct
experience of the divine state, beyond the mind, the spring of Consciousness.
Any seeker who sincerely follow
In these five verses Adi Sankaracharya enumerates a 40 items that constitute
the sadhana as per Vedanta. Ritualism can be a discipline only in the field of the
many dvaita. In advaita there cannot be sadhana in the form of worship,
invocation, surrender or sacrifice.
These five simple looking verses lovingly lists the ways and means which can
readily be followed by all the students of Vedanta, seeking direct experience of
the divine state, beyond the mind, the spring of Consciousness.
Any seeker who sincerely follows these points will surely not miss his way and
wander into the labyrinth of futile, self-defeating, negative arguments and false
conclusions.
In the first verse Sankara lists some eight items to make up the spiritual
programme for a student of Vedanta.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Study the Vedas daily

Yes
Perform diligently the duties ordained by them
Yes
Dedicate all these karmas as your worship of the Lord
Yes
Renounce all desires in the mind
Wash away the hordes of sins in the bosom
Recognise that the pleasure of sense objects (samsara) are riddled with
pain
7. Seek the Self with consistent endeavour
8. Escape from the bondage of home
In the second verse Sankara lists some eight items out of which up to the first
six are the preparatory works.
9. Seek
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.

companionship with Men of Wisdom

Be established in firm devotion of the Lord
Cultivate virtues such as santi and so on
Avoid all desire ridden actions
Surrender to a perfect Master
Daily serve his sandals
Worship Om, the Immutable
Listen, in depth, the declaration of Upanishads

In the third verse Sankara lists another eight items.

17.

Constantly reflect upon the meaning of the commandments of the

Upanishads
18.
Take refuge in the truth of Brahman
19.
Avoid perverse arguments
20.
Certainly follow the discriminative rationale of the sruthi
21.
Be absorbed in the attitude: I Brahman
22.
Renounce pride
23.
Give up the idea: I am the body (paropakaaraartham idam
shariram)
24.
Give up arguments with the wise
In the fourth verse Sankara lists another eight items.
25.
26.
27.
28.

Hunger and disease; get treated

Daily take the medicine of bhiksa food
Beg no delicious food
Contentedly live upon whatever comes to your lot, as ordained by
Him

29.
30.
31.
32.

Endure all pairs of opposite: heat and cold and the like
Avoid wasteful talks
Be indifferent
Save yourself from other peoples kindness

In the last fifth verse Sankara lists another eight items.

33.
34.
35.
36.
37.

In solitude live joyously

Quieten the mind in the supreme Lord
Realise and See the all-pervading Self everywhere
Recognise that the finite world is a projection of the Self
Conquer the effects of deeds done in earlier lives by the present
right
actions

38.
39.

Through wisdom, become detached from future karmas (sancita)

Experience and exhaust the past actions that have started
prarabdha
40.Thereafter live absorbed in the bhava, I am Brahman