Manisha Panchakam

Manisha Panchakam is a set of five verses (slokas)[1] composed by

Shri Adi Shankaracharya,[2] the Hindu philosopher. It is said that in
these five verses Shankara brings out the essence of Advaita
Vedanta.
It is believed that Shankara wrote the Manisha Panchakam
at Varanasi (Kashi/Benaras), the ancient sacred city of India, and
the home to the famous Kashi Visvanatha temple.
According to the legend, Adi Shankaraachaarya, was on his way to
the temple after finishing his bath. Suddenly he saw
a chandaala (an outcaste) and his four dogs on the way, and
gestured to him to keep a distance, as per the custom in those
days. The outcaste then asked him some questions which form the
substance of two verses which are a prelude to the main
work.Among the questions asked, the significant one was like
this-"Whether My body should give way to you or my Soul?". On
hearing these questions, Sri Shankara assumed (realized) that the
person before him was no ordinary person but Lord Shiva himself,
and the dogs, the four Vedas. Shankara replies to these questions
in five verses. These five verses have been collectively given the
name Maneeshaapanchakam. The word maneeshaa, meaning
conviction appears in the last line in all the five verses.
Manisha Panchakam conveys the message that once a person has
attained Self-knowledge, considerations such as his caste are
totally irrelevant.

The word 'Maneeshaa' in Sanskrit means conviction and

panchakam means a collection of five shlokas. The stotra reveals
the normally strong association with the body and the mind which
makes even a strong person like Aacharya Sankara starts
following
a
mechanistic
mode
of
life.
The story behind this Panchakam begins with a Aadi Shankara
going for a bath at the Ganga in Kashi along with his disciples.

Shankara saw a dirty sweeper coming along. He shouted out to

him to get out of his way. This was not only a moment of
carelessness, but it was a seepage forth of the customs of that
time, the very customs that Shankara sought to fight. The
response of the sweeper and reply by the sage forms the body of
the Panchakam. Shankara sees the divine in the sweeper, and
heralds him as his Guru since the sweeper is able to see that he is
not what is seen, but he is part of that Self which is
compartmentalized
into
all
of
us.
Sweeper to Shankara:


Oh! the best among the twice born, by saying 'move away - move
away', do you wish to move matter from matter, or you mean to
separate Spirit from the Spirit?

Is there any difference in the 'jewel of the sky' when it is reflected

in the waters of the Gangaa or in a ditch in the way side of a slum?
Is there any difference in the space as such, be it in a golden pot
or in a mud pot? In the ocean of the self existing Blissful
consciousness, in the inner Self, devoid of thought ripples, how
can there be this delusory distinction" this is a braahmana and this
is a dog eater?
Shankara replies as follows:
The meanings(translations ) given by these are :-

1.Jagrad swapna sushipthishu sphutatharaa yaa samviddujrumbathe ,
Yaa Brahmadhipi pilikantha thanushu prothaa jagat sakshini,
SAivaham na cha drusya vasthithvathi druda prajapi yasyathi che,
Chandalosthu sa thu dwijosthu guru rithyesha maneeshaa mama.

a. If one is convinced firmly, that he is that very Soul which manifests

itself in all the conditions of sleep, wakefulness and dream, in all the
objects from the great Brahma (the creator) to the tiny ant and which is
also the vibrant, but invisible, witnesser of all, then as per my clear
conclusion, he is the great teacher/preceptor, be he a twice-born
(i.e higher castes) or an outcaste.
b. This indeed is my deep conviction: he who has realised that he is not the seen, but that he
is the one Consciousness that illumines all experiences during the waking, dream and deep sleep states, the one Consciousness that is the sole witness of the entire play of the universe,
the one Consciousness which is the very Life Spark in all forms from the Creator down to the
ant, he alone is my Guru, be he a sweeper, be he a braahmana.
c.If a person has attained the firm knowledge that he is not an
object of perception, but is that pure consciousness which
shines clearly in the states of waking, dream and deep sleep,
and which, as the witness of the whole universe, dwells in all
bodies from that of the Creator Brahma to that of the ant, then
he is my Guru, irrespective of whether he is an outcaste or a
Brahmana. This is my conviction.

d.Oh! Lets learn that the indwelling (pratyag) atman is distinctly shining with in all the
three states; namely the wakeful, the dreaming and the deep sleep states. It is the
invisible thread embedded in us and it is the witness with in all from the Creator up to
the tiny ant. It is not a cognizable object in spite of any amount of material intelligence.
It is very much the same in one and all irrespective of any caste, creed or kind! My firm
understanding is that the great one who inculcates this concept is the real preceptor.

e.
The one who is free of the illusion of outside world
And knows that the experiences while awake,
And while in sleep and also while in dream,
That Brahman is behind such all experiences and stakes
It manifests in each and every being from ant to Brahma
One who realizes these truths would be my teacher
Although he may be a Chandala or Brahmana or from any stream
And this is my firm resolve and final decision.
f.If one says with firm conviction, that he is the one who is present in all the states of
wakefulness, dream and sushupti (deep sleep), and present in all beings and objects
beginning from Brahma (the creator) to the tiny ant and who is vibrant as energy
consciousness in everything and being witness of the whole cosmos, then this I say with my
prudent reflection that, that individual is revered preceptor, be he a twice born (brahmin) or an
outcaste. Do not see that person in any other way.
g.Whether one is awake , dreaming or sleeping , suppose one realizes that ,
He is the soul that is invisible but which exists and he is firmly convinced that,

Brahma the creator to the tiny ant which are vibrant are the witnesses of all activities of
the world,
That one whether he is an outcaste or a Brahmin is my concept of a Guru.

This indeed is my deep conviction: he who has realised that he is

not the seen, but that he is the one Consciousness that illumines
all experiences during the waking, dream and deep - sleep states,
the one Consciousness that is the sole witness of the entire play of
the universe, the one Consciousness which is the very Life Spark
in all forms from the Creator down to the ant, he alone is my Guru,
be he a sweeper, be he a braahmana.




2.Brahmaivahidama jagacha sakalam chinmathrivisthaaritham,
Sarva chaithadvidhyaya trigunayosesham kalpitham,
Idham yasya drudaa mathi sukhathare nithya pare nirmalam,
Chandalosthu sa thu dwijosthu guru rithyesha maneeshaa mama.
a. I am quite convinced that he is the great Master, be he a Brahmin or an
outcaste, who, dwelling on the pure and infinite Brahman thinks of
himself as that very Brahman, of whose manifestation the whole Universe
is,though apparently the Universe is assumed to consist of different
things, due to ignorance and the three Gunas (Satva, Rajas and Tamas).
b.He who, in his direct experience of the Immaculate Supreme - Bliss - Eternal, has come to
the firm understanding that the entire universe is but an extensive play of Pure
Consciousness, all projected by his 'ignorance' expressed in the three moods of his mind,
while he himself is but that Brahman - he alone is my Guru, be he a sweeper, be he a
braahmana.
c. I am Brahman (pure consciousness). It is pure
consciousness that appears as this universe. All this is only
something conjured up by me because of avidya (nescience)
which is composed of the three gunas (sattva, rajas and
tamas). One who has attained this definite realization about
Brahman which is bliss itself, eternal, supreme and pure, is
my Guru, whether he is an outcaste or a Brahmana.
d.I am none other than a part and parcel of the Brahman (The Absolute). I am dwelling
on the pure and infinite Brahman and I am the very Brahman. This universe is glittering
with infinite glow by the power of the chaitanya or unlimited sentient energy of the
Absolute. Apparently the universe is assumed (by us) to consist of diverse and
different things, due to (our) ignorance (avidya or nescience) borne out of the three
gunas (Sattva, Rajas and Tamas). He who firmly believes with perfect understanding of

this unity in diversity, for me, he is the adorable great Master, irrespective of whether
he is a Brahmin or an outcaste. This is my perfect understanding.
e.
One that realizes the Brahman
Flawless, supreme, and eternal it is
Surely realizes that this entire universe we see
It is the manifestation of tiny Brahman and feels at ease
Such men realize that feeling of the world
As the result of ignorance owing to the three human traits within
He is my teacher; he may be a Chandala or Brahmana
Know this is my firm resolve and final decision.
f. If one says with firm conviction, that he is the one who is present in Brahma as the creator;
he is pervaded in the whole cosmos as pure intelligence and consciouness; he who says that
he has imagined this world with the three characteristics of sattva, rajas and tamas because
of ignorance of the Truth; he who is pure, stainless, resplendent, always in that bliss; then this
I say with my prudent reflection that, that individual is revered preceptor, be he a twice born
(brahmin) or an outcaste. Do not see that person in any other way.
g. The entire world is only Brahmam which is extended by the pure consciousness,
But imagined to be different due to the interplay of ones three gunas(characteristics) ,,
If one with stable mind understands this and realizes that ,
Everything is only bliss which is eternal , divine and pure,
That one whether he is an outcaste or a Brahmin is my concept of a Guru.

He who, in his direct experience of the Immaculate Supreme Bliss - Eternal, has come to the firm understanding that the entire
universe is but an extensive play of Pure Consciousness, all
projected by his 'ignorance' expressed in the three moods of his
mind, while he himself is but that Brahman - he alone is my Guru,
be he a sweeper, be he a braahmana.




3.Saaaswan nasvarameva viswamakhila nischithya vaachaa guro,
Nithyam Brahma nirantharam vimrusathaa nivyajsanthathmana,
Bhootham bhavi cha dushkrutham pradahathaa samvinmaye paavake,
Prarabdhaaya samarpitham swapuririthyesha maneesha mama.
a.I am fully convinced by the Preceptors words that the entire Universe is
a transitory illusion and that the human body is given to constantly
meditate on the infinite and supreme Being with a serene and unquestioning
mind and thus to burn in that sacred Fire the sins with which the

human is born.
b.He who has done long reflections upon his teacher's words that this world of change is
permanently in a state of flux; he who has tamed his mind to a true state of quiet and poise;
he who has brought his mind, devoid of all dissimilar thoughts, constantly to contemplate
upon Brahman; he who has burnt up all his past and future residual-vaasanas in the fire of
Pure Consciousness; he who has offered his body to live through and exhaust its present
destiny he alone is my Guru, 'be he a sweeper, be he a braahmana.'
c. Having come to the definite conclusion, under the
instruction of his Guru, that the entire universe is always
perishable, he who, with a calm and pure mind constantly
meditates on Brahman, and who has burnt his past and
future sins in the fire of knowledge, submits his present body
to the operation of his prArabdha karma. This is my
conviction.
d.This entire universe, apparently continuing, is perishable and impermanent as per
the decisive proclamation of the Lord. The Brahman, indeed, is permanent, everlasting
and is undifferentiated and peerless, if one analyzed carefully with an untainted,
unaffected, peaceful and tranquil intelligence. The differences in our physical bodies
are the products of imprints of all our previous sinful/good deeds, pertaining to the
past, present and future. The one who perfectly reduces these imprints to ashes in the
flaming fire of knowledge is the best informed. This is my perfect conviction.
e
Those who realize from the teachings of a learned teacher
That world is not permanent and undergoes constant change
Those who control the mind and keeps it in peace and balance
And burn the past, present and acquired deeds in the fire of knowledge
Those who dedicate the body to the cause of knowing the truth
And strive hard to know the Brahman the supreme living within
He is my teacher; he may be a Chandala or Brahmana
Know this is my firm resolve and final decision.
f.I say with my prudent reflection and conviction through Gurus words, that this entire
Universe is transitory and only the Brahma or Supreme Spirit is permanent; the human body
is delivered unto us as our praarabdha to meditate on that Absolute constantly with a calm
and pure mind and after awakening with this fire of self effulgent intellect (wisdom), that
individual burns his past and the future karma in that shining fire of knowledge and will just
surrender his present body to the praarabdha.
g.Coming to the conclusion that this world is entirely perishable ,
And not permanent after hearing the words of the Guru,
And if one discusses within his mind and decides that
The Brahmam Is forever and not perishable ,
And burns in his fire of knowledge the karmic load,
Earned in the past , present and future ,
Then it is my decision that he is my guru.

He who has done long reflections upon his teacher's words that
this world of change is permanently in a state of flux; he who has
tamed his mind to a true state of quiet and poise; he who has
brought his mind, devoid of all dissimilar thoughts, constantly to
contemplate upon Brahman; he who has burnt up all his past and
future residual-vaasanas in the fire of Pure Consciousness; he
who has offered his body to live through and exhaust its present
destiny he alone is my Guru, 'be he a sweeper, be he a
braahmana.'




4.Ya thiryag nara devathaabhi rahamithyaantha sphutaa gruhyathe ,
Yad bhasaa hrudayaaksha deha vishayaa bhanthi swatho chethanaa ,
Thaam bhasyai pihitharka mandala nibhaam sphurthim sadaa bhavayaa,
Nyogi nirvrutha manaso hi gururithyeshaa , maneeshaa mama.
a.In my considered opinion that Yogi is great who has clearly grasped within
himself the truth and quality of the supreme Being through which all our
activities are performed and whose effulgence is hidden by ignorance [of
an ordinary person] even as the suns halo is covered/hidden by the clouds.
b.A yogee with his hushed mind lives, meditating upon That, which expresses as 'I--I' the
subjective individuality in all creatures: plant, animal, human and angels; That, by whose
Light, mind and senses and body are all enlivened to activity, even though they are all made
up of inert and insentient matter; That, which illumines everything as Sun from behind a bank
of clouds - He alone is my Guru: this is my firm conviction.
c. The Self or pure consciousness is experienced clearly within
by animals, men, and gods as I. It is by the reflection of this
pure consciousness that the mind, senses and body, which are
all insentient, appear to be sentient. External objects are
perceived only because of this consciousness. This Self is,
however, concealed by the very mind, senses and body which
are illumined by it, just as the sun is concealed by clouds. The
yogi who, with a calm mind, always meditates on this Self is
my Guru. This is my conviction.
d.The Self or pure consciousness is experienced clearly within by all animals, human
beings and the gods alike as the 'I'. It is by the reflection of this pure consciousness
that the mind, sense organs and the body which are insentient, appear to be sentient.
External objects are perceived only because of this. This Self is, however, concealed
by this very mind, senses and body which are illuminated by it, just as the Sun is
concealed by the clouds. A person of perfect realization and wisdom due to his

complete and clear understanding ever meditates in his mind on this supreme
consciousness. Such a person is the real preceptor. This is my perfect conviction.
e
Those who realize that the one manifesting in trees animals, men and gods
And being identified with the body and the fad of me and mine
Those who realize that the Brahman illuminates the idle, stale and minds
Like clouds brightened by sun that again cover up the sun
That yet remains self illuminated and that is Brahman
As realized by one and know he is my teacher;
He may be a Chandala of lower birth or Brahmana
Know this is my firm resolve and final decision.
f.I clearly arrive at the perception with my prudent reflection and say with conviction that, the
one who sees the ever effulgent consciousness in all animals, human beings and gods; and
the one who says that it is by the reflection of this effulgent consciousness that makes all the
body, mind and sense organs as sentient even though they are insentient; who says that all
the external objects are perceived only through this consciousness, which is hidden as the
clouds hide the self-effulgent suns halo; the one who meditates always on that eternal
consciousness and is always in that state of stillness, that great one is the Guru, preceptor
g.That which is understood within themselves as the self by men, devas and animals,
And that which is illuminated by the self within oneself as the mind body and sense organs ,
Hides the real self like a dark cloud hides those lit by a sparkling sun,
And that Yogi with emancipated mind who understands this is considered by me as my
Guru.

A yogee with his hushed mind lives, meditating upon That, which
expresses as 'I--I' the subjective individuality in all creatures: plant,
animal, human and angels; That, by whose Light, mind and
senses and body are all enlivened to activity, even though they are
all made up of inert and insentient matter; That, which illumines
everything as Sun from behind a bank of clouds - He alone is my
Guru: this is my firm conviction.




5.Yath soukhyam ambudhi lesa lesatha yime sakradhayo nirvruthaa ,
Yath chithe nitharaam prasantha kalane labdhwaa muni nirvruthaa,
Yasmin nithya sukhambudhou galthadhir brahmaiva na brahma vidh,
Ya kaschithsa surendra vanditha pado noonam maneesha mama.
a.I am convinced that whoever has his mind dwelling upon the Great Being
who is being worshipped by Indra and other gods and is thus completely at
peace with himself has not only understood Brahman but he is himself that
great Brahman!

b.During its moments of utter quiet, a yogee's mind gains that Ocean of Bliss, a tiny droplet
from which is sufficient to make Indra and others feel contented and happy. Such a one who
has dissolved his individual intellect in this Eternal Ocean of Bliss, is verily Brahman, not a
mere Knower of Brahman - That rare one, whose feet are worshipped even by the very King
of Gods indeed, he alone is my Guru; this is my firm conviction.
c. The Self, which is Brahman, is the eternal ocean of supreme
bliss. A minute fraction of that bliss is enough to satisfy Indra
and other gods. By meditating on the Self with a perfectly calm
mind the sage experiences fulfillment. The person whose mind
has become identified with this Self is not a mere knower of
Brahman, but Brahman itself. Such a person, whoever he may
be, is one whose feet are fit to be worshipped by Indra himself.
This is my definite conviction.
d.The Self (Brahman) is the eternal ocean of Supreme Bliss. A minute fraction of this
Bliss Supreme is adequate to satisfy the Indra and other celestials. Only by meditating
with a perfectly calm mind on this Bliss Supreme, and not by any other special means,
the sages experience adequate fulfillment. Whose intellect is ever unified with the
eternal ocean of this Bliss Supreme, he is not a mere knower of the Brahman, but he is
the Brahman itself. Such a person, whosoever he may be, and no matter at all, his feet
are worthy to be worshiped by the Indra and all other gods. Definite, this is my firm
understanding.
e.
The one under bliss realizes the truth
That God Indra and others derive happiness and satisfaction
That result from smallest fraction of happiness
The one who submerges his mind in eternal happiness
And becomes a Brahman and worshiped even by Indra the king of gods
Know! He is my teacher;
He may be a Chandala or Brahmana
Know this is my firm resolve and final decision.
Note. Chandala... Untouchable
f.It is my strong conviction that the person who is always in that ocean of eternal bliss is not a
mere knower of Brahman, but Brahman itself. Even the minutest portion of that bliss is
enough to satisfy the Indra and other gods. By meditating on that Supreme ever effulgent,
permanent consciousness with calm mind melted in that ocean of bliss and is always in that
awareness, he is completely fulfilled. Whosoever that individual, his feet are fit to be
worshipped even by the lord of kings Indra himself. This is my prudent reflection and
conviction.
g.The self is an ocean of eternal bliss and a minute part of it would make Indra and Devas
happy,
The sages meditating with a mind of peace on this self and not on any other aspect would
attain perfect bliss,

And he who identifies himself with this ocean of bliss is not the knower of Brahman but
Brahman itself,
And the feet of such a person regardless of who he is, is fit to be saluted and this is my
belief.
Epilogue
Dasastheham deha drushtyasmi shambho,
Jathastheso jeeva drushtyaa tridrushte ,
Sarvasyathman athma drushtyaa thwameva,
Thwevam may dheernischithaa sarva sathrai .
a. Oh Lord ! In the form of body I am your servant . In the form of life, O
three-eyed one, I am part of yourself . In the form of soul, you are
within me and in every other soul.I have arrived at this conclusion through
my intellect and on the authority of the various scriptures.
d.O! Lord, the three eyed one (who is the all knower of the past, present and future)! In
the form of this physical equipment, the body, I am the servant of You and thus of all. In
the form of the life principle with in me, I am the part and parcel of You and thus of all.
In the form the soul, You are within me and similarly in every other being or animal or
thing that I behold. I have arrived at this conclusion after thorough reflection in my
intellect - illuminated by all the sacred texts.
g.Oh Lord! I am thy servant dressed in the form of this body. Oh three eyed one! I am a part
of Yourself dressed in the form of life. Thou art alone who is present in the form of soul within
me and without me; inside me, outside of me and in every other soul. I arrive at this
conclusion with conviction through the intellect and based upon the authentic knowledge of all
scriptures that Thou Art the Only One.
Oh Lord Shambhu, who sees the past, present and future ,
In this form of a body of mine which you see , I am your slave
In the form of the soul , I am part and parcel of yourself,
You are within me and in all others as the soul ,
And I have come

to this conclusion ,

Based on all scriptures and by deep thought.

During its moments of utter quiet, a yogee's mind gains that Ocean
of Bliss, a tiny droplet from which is sufficient to make Indra and
others feel contented and happy. Such a one who has dissolved
his individual intellect in this Eternal Ocean of Bliss, is verily
Brahman, not a mere Knower of Brahman - That rare one, whose
feet are worshipped even by the very King of Gods indeed, he
alone is my Guru; this is my firm conviction.