The Dasha Shloki (Sanskrit: दशश्लोकी, romanizedDaśaślokī) is a Sanskrit hymn by the Hindu philosopher Adi Shankara. Comprising ten verses,[1] the Dasha Shloki explores the Brahman-Atman relationship and the author's interpretation of the nature of the self.[2]

Dasha Shloki
Painting of Adi Shankara
Information
ReligionHinduism
AuthorAdi Shankara
LanguageSanskrit
Verses10

Etymology edit

Dasha Shloki is Sanskrit for "ten verses".[3]

Description edit

According to legend, Adi Shankara chanted this hymn in response to his disciples's final request for him, which was to explain the essence of the teachings of Vedanta. He is believed to have first sung the hymn when he met his guru, Govindapada.[4]

In the hymn, Adi Shankara states that the nature of the self is identical to Brahman, which is not identical to the finite and unreal not-self. He also describes the self as that which is one, auspicious, free of attributes and assimilation, and eternal.[5]

Hymn edit

The first stanza of the hymn describes the author's interpretation of his self as identical to Brahman:[6]

na bhūmirna toyaṃ na tejo na vāyuḥ
na khaṃ nendriyaṃ vā na teṣāṃ samūhaḥ
anaikāntikatvāt suṣuptyekasiddhaḥ
tadeko'vaśiṣṭaḥ śivaḥ kevalo'ham

Neither earth, nor water, nor fire, nor air, nor ether, nor sense-organ, nor their aggregate (am I) because they are inconstant. That which is the one established in sleep, that one which remains (after the sublation of all else) - that auspicious absolute (Self) I am.

— Dasha Shloki, Verse 1

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ M.N, Namboodiri, Dr; Dev, Prof K. V.; Amma (2015-05-22). The Thousand Names Of The Divine Mother: Shri Lalita Sahasranama. M A Center. p. 197. ISBN 978-1-68037-282-3.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ T.S.RUKMANI. SHANKARACHARYA. Publications Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. p. 37. ISBN 978-81-230-2600-8.
  3. ^ Chaturvedi, Shraddhesh (2020-01-18). Five Works of Shankaracharya: With Original Sanskrit Text and Concise Commentary. Shraddhesh Chaturvedi. p. 45.
  4. ^ Conference, International Society for Metaphysics International (1988). Person and Nature. CRVP. p. 12. ISBN 978-0-8191-7025-5.
  5. ^ Srimat Madhusudana Sarasvati (1981). Siddhantabindu. Servants of Knowledge. Prasaranga University Of Mydore. p. 8.
  6. ^ Vedanta Students. 2017. p. 2.