Sâdhana Pañcakam
(of Shankara)

1. Study the Vedhas daily, perform karmas (actions) ordained by them, offer those to Îsha (Lord) as worship; give up thoughts of objects of desire; wash away hoards of sins; recognize defects in worldly pleasure; pursue desire for Âthman (self); get out of your home for ever.

2. Seek company of the wise; cultivate strong bhakthi (devotion) to Bhagavân (Lord); practice calmness, etc.; renounce identification with karmas (actions); approach a realized vidhvân (sage), serve his feet everyday; worship one-syllable Brahman; listen to Upanishadh declarations.

3. And reflect upon the words' meaning; take refuge in the truth of Brahman; avoid perverse arguments, follow the arguments of shruthi's (scriptures') thought; "I am Brahman," thus meditate; give up pride always; renounce I-feeling in the body; give up arguments with wise men.

4. Cure hunger and disease, eat the medicine of bhiksha (alms) everyday, and beg not delicious food; be content with what you get as ordained by vidhi (cosmic law); endure cold-heat, etc.; never indeed utter a wasteful word; develop indifference; save yourself from the mesh of others' kindness.

5. Live happily in solitude; quieten your mind in the supreme being; see everywhere the pûrna Âthman (all-pervading Self), see this world as its projection; dissolve past karmas (effects of actions), be detached from future ones through wisdom, and experience prârabdha (already commenced effects) here; thence, reside as supreme Brahman.

Last Revised: 7 May 2002

Return to Venkat's Front Room