Sunday, July 12, 2020

Swami Chinmaynanda's Commentary on Bhaja Govindam (Part 1)

Bhaja Govindam is one of the foremost poem of Adi Shankaracharya. It's a power packed punch of philosophy through exceptionally sweet stanzas that can be sung in groups. Adi Shankaracharya has written numerous poems on multiple deities and topics ranging from Ganga Stoarm, Govindashatakm (my personal favorite) to Nirvan Shatakam. These  But in Bhaja Govindam he seems to have distilled the crux of Indian philosophy to the bare minimum requirement without losing its essence and with still maintaining the lyrical beauty of it.

I am currently reading through Swami Chinmayananda's commentary on Bhaja Govindam. (Published by Central Chinmay Mission Trust). I will reproduce the aspects of commentary by Swami ji that I liked in this and subsequent blogs. The content below is original work of Swami Chinmayanada. As in I am not trying to take credit nor trying to pass this as my material.

The parts reproduced are like flowers from garland of commentary on Bhaja Govindam. But even after I pluck them, they stand independent and do not lose it's inherent beautiful fragrance.
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There are nine types devotion towards the god:

  1. Sravanam (श्रवण)
  2. Kirtanam (कीर्तन)
  3. Smaranam (स्मरणं)
  4. Padsevanam (पदसेवन)
  5. Archanam (अर्चना)
  6. Vandanam (वंदना)
  7. Dasyam (दास्यम)
  8. Sakhyam (सख्य)
  9. Atmanivedanam (आत्मनिवेदन)
(Bhaja Govindam, Swami Chinmayananda - Commentary on Shlok #1, Page 4)

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