Introduction Of Dakshinamurthy Stotram – Session 2 

 Adi Shankaracharya in the Dakshinamurthy Stotram reveals the highest truth through the imagery of the silent Guru. The Self, eternal and changeless, is beyond time, space, and causation — yet appears as if bound within them. In this vision, ignorance (Avidya) projects the ever-free Self as the limited individual, just as a rope is mistaken for a snake in dim light.

Through profound verses, Shankara shows how the Guru’s silent presence destroys this illusion, awakening the disciple to recognize that the witness of all experiences is none other than pure Consciousness. Session 2 continues to explore this subtle wisdom — how knowledge alone dispels ignorance, and how the nondual truth shines when illusions are dissolved.

Transcription

Dakshinamurti Stotram: A Wonderful Source of Knowledge

Welcome to the exploration of the second verse of the Dakshinamurti Stotram. Through this hymn, Shankaracharya imparts spiritual wisdom and important life lessons. In this verse, he guides us towards the fundamental truths of life and spiritual enlightenment.

The words Vatavitapa Sameepe in the verse take us to the place beneath the banyan tree, where Dakshinamurti is bestowing the gift of knowledge to the sages. This scene symbolizes the stability and power of knowledge. Just as the banyan tree has stood for centuries, knowledge too is eternal and everlasting.

The term Tribhuwan Guru emphasizes that Dakshinamurti is not just the teacher of this earth but of all three worlds. He has the ability to pierce through the sorrows of life and death, leading us towards liberation and salvation. By bowing to Dakshinamurti in this verse, we pray for understanding the profound mysteries of life.

Discovering a New Perspective in Life

Imagine you visit a gallery with eight paintings displayed. What would you pick out from these pictures? Everyone would see something different and interpret it uniquely.

Similarly, there is a tarot card that presents a picture for the future. When you look at the picture, you will make your own interpretation of it. In the same way, through the Dakshinamurti Stotram, Shankaracharya shows us a picture. He creates an image before our eyes.

Guidance from Akhandananda

From this picture, we must find a new path. This picture is like a GPS leading us to Akhandananda (the bliss of non-duality). It’s a map.

We must understand what the GPS is showing. We need to see the picture, understand the path from the GPS, and find a way to walk on it.

It’s not enough to just see the path, right? The GPS shows the way, and the picture reveals the path to Akhandananda. But if we don't walk on it, we won’t reach anywhere. You have to walk, you have to take action.

Exploring New Directions through Practice

Through this practice, the path will definitely become clearer. This is a short 45-minute session, but it will surely open up a new direction in everyone’s life. Some people send messages on WhatsApp, sharing the new path they have discovered.

This session is not about me giving you a new path. You will see something, and you will walk on that path. Some practitioners send messages, and that's how I know what new direction they are seeing.

The Importance of Practice and Experience

I invite everyone to engage in this practice. Just as we practice in school or college and then have an exam, here there is no exam, but you should definitely share what you have created. What benefits are you getting? What new path has emerged for you?

It will also become clearer to you when you share. Sharing will help you gain more clarity. This is my invitation to everyone—if you have a message or something new that you have created, definitely share it.

Share Your Experience

You can share on WhatsApp or on Telegram. Whatever insights you gain from this session should be shared. This session is not just for understanding, but also an opportunity to share your experiences. When you share your experiences, your understanding will deepen even further.

So, go ahead and share what you have experienced. This will not only benefit you but will also guide others.

Practice and Medicine: Guidance from Shankaracharya

Nature of Practice

This practice is not just philosophical but practical. Something new should open up in your life. Identify areas where there is suffering and pain. Every day, during the 24 hours of life, there are events that bring suffering and pain. This is where this practice will help. Just like medicine, when you get hurt, you don’t need it all over your body, but it is applied where it’s needed.

Benefits and Usage of the Medicine

In the circumstances of life where suffering and pain are experienced with certain people, this medicine—Shankaracharya's Dakshinamurti Stotra—can be useful. What benefits did you receive from it? How did you use it? Please definitely share your experiences. This will help make future sessions more effective in serving you. Today, all ten stotras of the Dakshinamurti Stotra are like complete pictures.

Unique Characteristics of the Banyan Tree

Characteristics of the Banyan Tree

You need to draw some messages from the picture, and like you, I am also exploring. Today’s session will make everything clear. What does Shankaracharya say about the Banyan tree? The Banyan tree, also known as the Peepal tree, has a thick trunk similar to that of the Peepal tree. It is very large, with branches that grow extensively. The branches not only grow upwards but also send roots downwards from above. This is how a large Banyan tree is. What is the specialty of this Banyan tree?

The Eternity of the Banyan Tree

The Banyan tree is almost like an eternal entity, living for 600 to 800 years. It keeps growing continuously, forever. It has a very long lifespan. Now, let’s look beside the Banyan tree. Yes, it’s not a king’s palace, a city, a town, or a place with people.

The Vast Size of the Banyan Tree

In a forest, near a large Banyan tree, you can find another Banyan tree. The Banyan tree outside the city is huge. We won’t see such big trees here in Mumbai. Just understand that it spans two to four thousand square feet, if not more. So, what’s happening under this huge Banyan tree near the city?

What’s Happening Beneath the Banyan Tree

Now, imagine a picture of a large Banyan tree with many branches growing downwards. What’s happening near the Banyan tree? What’s happening there? On the ground, some people are sitting. “Bhumi Bhage Nisha Naam” means people are sitting on the ground under the Banyan tree.

The Gift of Knowledge Beneath the Banyan Tree

The Scene Under the Banyan Tree

Under the Banyan tree, many sages and wise men are seated on the ground. They are gathered to receive the gift of knowledge. Who is giving this knowledge? It is the one who donates knowledge, a true donor of wisdom. Who is this donor of knowledge? It is Dakshinamurti Dev, the Guru of the three worlds—earth, the underworld, and the sky. He is seated on the ground, imparting knowledge to all the assembled sages.

The Master of Knowledge and His Significance

Dakshinamurti Dev, the Guru of all three realms, is seated under the Banyan tree, facing south. He is young and surrounded by sages who are listening to him. He is imparting knowledge skillfully, with mastery, knowledge that can pierce through and end the suffering of birth and death. Shankaracharya says, "I bow to Dakshinamurti Dev, who is skillful in ending the suffering of birth and death."

The Pain of Birth and Death

The process of birth and the process of death bring suffering. Dakshinamurti Dev possesses the skill to pierce through and eliminate this suffering. Just as some people are skilled in singing or playing cricket, Dakshinamurti Dev is skillful in ending the pain associated with birth and death. Shankaracharya reverently bows to him.

The Unique Knowledge of Dakshinamurti Dev

Imagine the scene: Dakshinamurti Dev is seated on the ground under a large Banyan tree. He faces south, surrounded by sages who are eager to receive his wisdom. He is the Guru of the three realms—earth, the underworld, and the sky. The knowledge he imparts is so profound that it can eliminate the suffering of birth and death, and he does so with great skill. Shankaracharya pays homage to him for this unparalleled wisdom.

Connection to Our Lives

Now that we have understood this picture that Shankaracharya has created, how does it connect to our lives? What new path can we discover from it that relates to the suffering we experience in life? We all live our lives, dealing with various issues—sometimes things go wrong, people don’t respect us, or don’t meet our expectations. How can this shloka help us find a new path through these challenges?

The Deep Connection Between the Shloka and Our Lives

There is a profound connection between this shloka and our lives. Let’s first see what Shankaracharya says: “Bhumi Bhage”—seated on the ground. Who is seated on the ground? The Guru of the three worlds, the Lord, is seated on the ground.

The Relationship Between Ego and Suffering

The Root Cause of Suffering

If we look at the root cause of suffering today, we find that it is our ego. We want certain things, we have a status, we seek respect. This ego is the basic cause of suffering in every relationship. People who work on human behavior and communication often say that whenever you interact with someone, you carry a mental status of who you are and who the other person is—whether they are above or below you.

Understanding Through an Example

For example, let’s say you work in a social organization as a volunteer, and you need to collect donations. You go to a building and visit a businessman’s home on the second floor, seeking a donation of 10,000 rupees. You go on a Sunday, speak politely and respectfully, and wait patiently even if the businessman’s servant opens the door. The businessman may be busy, but you sit quietly, listen, and wait even if they make you wait for 10 or 15 minutes. After all this, the businessman may say, “I’ll let you know in two days whether I can give the donation or not.” You patiently endure this.

The Role of Ego

The root cause of suffering here is ego, which influences your situation. If you didn’t have expectations tied to your status, the waiting and the conversation wouldn’t cause you distress. Your ego is what leads to feelings of disrespect, impatience, and ultimately, suffering. Shankaracharya’s teaching is a reminder that by overcoming this ego, we can alleviate much of the pain and suffering in our lives.

Ego and the Sense of Entitlement

Ego in Relationships

You might experience gratitude and politeness when you interact with others, and then leave with a sense of respect. However, consider a scenario where you have to interact with someone who owes you money from three years ago but is now avoiding your calls and not paying you back.

Reaction of Anger

When you go to confront this person, your frustration will show. You might demand, “Where is my money? Call him quickly, and he should pay now!” Your anger and sense of entitlement will be evident as you try to get your money back. If you have another person who owes you money as well, your sense of entitlement may increase. You might think, “I’m demanding what is rightfully mine,” and this ego-driven sense of authority will impact your behavior and interactions.

Entitlement and Ego

Even though you are requesting money, your behavior is influenced by your ego and sense of authority. This ego changes your approach and the way you interact with others, depending on how you perceive their status in relation to yours. If you think someone’s status is lower, you might treat them differently, showing your ego and authority more overtly.

Experience in a Five-Star Hotel

For instance, when you visit a five-star hotel and need to wait for a table in the restaurant, you will follow the procedure and wait for the hostess to seat you, even if the restaurant is empty. You will patiently wait and follow the etiquette expected in a high-status setting.

Experience at a Highway Dhaba

In contrast, if you go to a roadside dhaba, you expect quicker service. You might directly sit at a table and demand faster service, showing less patience and more urgency, because you perceive the status and expectations in this setting to be different.

Behavior According to Circumstances

The difference in behavior between a five-star hotel and a dhaba illustrates how our actions and attitudes change based on the perceived status of the situation and the people involved.

The Gift of Knowledge

Now, consider the scene where Dakshinamurti Dev, the Guru of the three worlds, is seated on the ground. He is donating supreme knowledge to end the suffering of birth and death. This donation of knowledge, given with humility and without ego, contrasts with how we often behave in our interactions, driven by ego and status. The wisdom imparted by Dakshinamurti Dev is meant to transcend ego and suffering, offering a profound understanding that goes beyond personal status and entitlement.

Our Expectations

Expectation in Donations

Imagine donating a significant amount, like 15-20 thousand rupees, to an organization. If they then ask you to sit on the ground, you might feel disrespected and decide to cancel the donation. You might think, "I’m not being treated with the respect I deserve; they should at least provide a chair."

Expectations in Indian Culture

A common source of dissatisfaction is our desire for special treatment. We often expect superior status and respect to be fulfilled. In Indian culture, for example, even if a son-in-law is just a clerk in a government office, he may expect to be treated with great respect when he visits his in-laws.

Status and Respect

Respect and Status in Daily Life

We have a deep-seated need for respect and status in all areas of our lives. For example, if you visit your in-laws and are asked to sit on the floor, your enthusiasm and joy might quickly diminish. If your expectations of respect are not met, it can lead to significant disappointment.

Excessive Expectations of Respect

Our obsession with respect often escalates when we are giving something or helping others. We might feel entitled to a certain level of respect in return. When offering spiritual knowledge, for instance, people might demand a grand stage or a prominent seat, feeling that their position warrants such respect.

Spiritual Knowledge and Expectations

Expectations from Spiritual Teachers

Even those who teach spiritual knowledge often expect a high level of respect and status. They might require a grand stage or elevated seat to share their wisdom. This expectation of status contrasts with the true essence of spiritual teachings, which often emphasize humility.

Personal Experience

Administrative Experience

In a professional setting, for example, if a technician is fixing something in your office and stands next to your chair while working, you might feel uncomfortable. If you insist that they sit down and work, it reflects your expectation of maintaining a certain status even in ordinary situations.

Ego and Expectations

Ego and Its Impact on Behavior

Our ego and expectations can create unnecessary stress and dissatisfaction. Shankaracharya’s teachings suggest that we should approach life with simplicity and humility. Instead of demanding respect or status, accepting whatever circumstances life offers with contentment can lead to greater peace and happiness.

In summary, our ego-driven expectations often lead to dissatisfaction and suffering. Embracing simplicity and humility, as taught by spiritual leaders like Shankaracharya, can help us navigate these challenges more gracefully.

Official Expectations and Outcomes

Support and Expectations

Events and their support often involve complex expectations. For instance, if an organizer of an event wants to invite a prominent person, they might get excited and arrange everything. However, when the time comes to arrange the logistics, such as tickets, the invited guest might demand business class tickets instead of economy, despite the budget constraints. This situation reflects the varying expectations based on status.

Status and Priorities

If a prominent person insists on business class despite budget limitations, it highlights the importance of status and priority. The organizer may have to accommodate these demands to maintain a good relationship. This kind of expectation can lead to disappointment if not fulfilled, potentially resulting in negative outcomes.

Expectations and Results

High expectations can lead to dissatisfaction if they are not met. For example, if you expect special treatment and do not receive it, you might withdraw from participation or engagement, missing out on opportunities.

Respect and Personal Joy

World's Flow and Personal Expectations

Chasing respect and special treatment can lead to missed opportunities and personal joy. If you demand respect in every situation, you might find yourself isolated while others enjoy life's experiences. Understanding that the world continues regardless of individual expectations can help shift focus from personal demands to broader experiences.

Nature and Teachings

Simplicity and Humility

In spiritual teachings, like those from Shankaracharya, humility and simplicity are emphasized. Even significant figures, such as the teachers or sages, are portrayed as sitting on the ground and sharing knowledge. This simplicity contrasts with the ego-driven demands for status and respect.

Ego and Expectations

Impact of Status on Behavior

Our behavior and expectations often change based on the perceived status of ourselves and others. For example, the way we treat people based on their status—whether in a luxurious setting or a modest environment—can reveal how ego and status influence our interactions.

Respect and Honor Expectations

Cultural Expectations

In Indian culture, there is often an expectation of superior treatment based on social roles or relationships. For instance, a son-in-law might expect special treatment in his in-laws' home, regardless of his actual status in the professional or social sphere.

In summary, our need for respect and special treatment can create significant dissatisfaction and missed opportunities. Embracing humility and simplicity, as taught in spiritual traditions, can help us navigate these challenges more effectively.

The Interrelationship Between Knowledge and Ego

Humility in Knowledge

When we pay college fees and attend classes, we don't think of it as charity. We view it as a transaction where we are buying education, rather than receiving a donation. This mindset often lacks humility, as we believe we are purchasing knowledge rather than being gifted it.

The True Value of Knowledge

We tend to think that since we have paid for books or education, we have bought knowledge. However, Shankaracharya emphasizes that true knowledge cannot be purchased. You can buy a book or access to a teacher, but the essence of knowledge is embedded in humility, not in material transactions.

Ego and Knowledge

Knowledge cannot be obtained through arrogance. The true cost of acquiring knowledge is overcoming our ego. The attitude that we do not accept anything for free and must pay for everything stems from ego and pride.

Attaining Supreme Bliss

Need for Humility

Supreme bliss, or Akhanda Ananda, is achieved through humility, not through personal effort alone. Spiritual teachings suggest that no matter how much effort we put in, ultimate bliss comes from humility. Even extensive penance or sacrifices do not guarantee it; only humility can bring about this profound state of joy.

The Humility of Saints and Sages

Those who lack humility or simplicity will not find the path to true bliss. Arrogance cannot lead to enlightenment; it is humility that opens the way. In India, even great saints and sages go door-to-door seeking alms, demonstrating their humility.

Humility of a Saint

If someone asks for alms and faces rejection, it challenges their ego and fosters humility. In our traditions, saints and monks asking for food is meant to break down their pride and develop simplicity. This act teaches us that humility and acceptance of help are crucial to spiritual progress.

Importance of Humility in Giving and Receiving

Value of Charity

Perform acts of humility, such as accepting charity, to understand its significance. Many people are ready to give but are reluctant to receive. In family dynamics, proving love can sometimes mean giving more than receiving. Yet, experiencing and accepting love and kindness can be more valuable.

Gift of Love

Instead of saying, "I love you," focus on experiencing and acknowledging the love others have for you. In family interactions, express that you feel their love and appreciate it as a gift. This shift in perspective—from giving to receiving love—can enhance relationships and deepen emotional connections.

Knowledge and Supreme Bliss

Impossibility of Buying Love and Knowledge

You cannot purchase love or knowledge; they are gifts. If you reject the idea of receiving them as gifts, you will not attain supreme bliss. Supreme bliss is obtained through receiving, not through ego or pride. Nothing can be bought; it is not a business transaction. Supreme bliss comes only through grace and compassion, such as that of Shankaracharya.

The Need for Charity and Grace

Importance of Charity

Those who have attained supreme bliss do not need to speak to us or write to us. Their presence and compassion are a form of donation. If you accept that everything in life is a gift, you will live in bliss. Whatever God or a teacher has given you is a donation, and you are indebted to everyone who has contributed to your life.

Ego and Peace

Living with the understanding that everything is a gift will lead to peace and supreme bliss. If you recognize that what you receive is due to others' compassion and grace, you will live in peace. When you go to ask for charity, whether it is for bread, sweet, or anything else, the fact that you are receiving it is due to the giver’s grace.

The Gift of Knowledge

Knowledge is not a trivial matter like money or property, which can be acquired through pride. It is only available as a gift. If you approach life with humility, recognizing that knowledge cannot be bought through effort or pride, you will be able to receive it as a gift. When you seek knowledge, you should do so with humility, simplicity, and ease. Acknowledge that every day and every aspect of life is a gift.

Value of Life as a Gift

Life as a Gift

Every day you live is a gift. There is no entitlement to life or any guarantee of it; it is a donation. If you accept that your life and each day are gifts, you will experience peace and joy. You have received life as a donation, and accepting it as such is essential.

Attitude Towards Relationships

Accepting Gifts in Relationships

In every relationship, if you see what others are giving you as a gift, you will find joy. Keeping a mental list of what you have done for others versus what they have done for you leads to unhappiness. Instead, recognize and appreciate the gifts others offer you, understanding that their contributions are acts of grace.

Joy and Suffering

Shortcut to Happiness

The shortcut to happiness is understanding the grace and gifts provided by others rather than focusing on what you have done. Recognize that in every aspect of life, whether in family, work, or any relationship, others have given you more than you deserve. This perspective fosters joy and peace.

True happiness comes when you accept each day, each relationship, and every opportunity as a gift.

Knowledge and Bliss

The Illusion of Happiness

Those who impart knowledge say, "Birth and death are sources of suffering; knowledge removes this suffering." Despite this, many people claim that their lives are going well and that they are happy. Some even go to the extent of proving that they are the happiest. In different places, like in America, people might claim that their lives in India were better, demonstrating their happiness. Even if you claim to be very happy, it doesn't negate the fundamental truths of suffering.

Suffering of Birth and Death

Suffering of Death

The suffering associated with death is undeniable. When death occurs, all worldly possessions, comforts, and relationships—such as cars, homes, and family—are left behind. The distress and agony of death can only be alleviated by knowledge.

Suffering of Birth

The suffering of birth is also significant. The birth process is not as comfortable as entering a business-class cabin on a plane. While in the mother's womb, a child is in a protected environment, receiving everything it needs without effort. However, once born, the child must breathe for the first time, using its own lungs, which is a significant and painful experience. This marks the transition from complete protection to self-reliance, which is a form of suffering.

Understanding Birth and Death

Both birth and death involve suffering, and understanding how to overcome these is crucial. The suffering of birth and the anguish at death are connected; knowledge alone can address these pains.

Importance of Knowledge

The Role of Knowledge in Alleviating Suffering

The only way to alleviate the suffering of birth and death is through knowledge. This knowledge is obtained as a gift, not through pride or selfishness. Humility and simplicity are necessary to receive this knowledge. True bliss comes from understanding and accepting this knowledge.

The Art of Alleviating Suffering

Skill in Alleviating Suffering

Alleviating the suffering of birth and death requires skill. It’s not something that happens automatically; a specific skill is needed to overcome this suffering. Those who are adept in this skill can address the suffering effectively. Shankaracharya acknowledges such enlightened teachers with reverence, recognizing their ability to skillfully remove the suffering associated with birth and death.

Gratitude and Respect for the Teacher

Shankaracharya emphasizes the importance of expressing gratitude and respect towards knowledgeable teachers who possess the skill to alleviate suffering.

Research on Knowledge and Death

Exploration of Death

Research on death is extensive, and with modern technology like computers, iPhones, and mobile phones, there is increasing contemplation about death. After death, the body disintegrates, but one's essence persists. Recognizing this essence, which transcends the physical body, means you don't need to reincarnate. The body is a temporary play, a drama. Once you realize your essence, there's no need to return to the body's sufferings.

Self-Recognition

The body is like a game we play, similar to children playing hide and seek. To understand oneself, we need to engage in this game. When you recognize yourself correctly, you no longer need to experience the sufferings of the body.

Living Life with Knowledge and Humility

To live life with joy through knowledge and humility, self-recognition is essential.

The Path of Humility: The Search for Eternal Bliss

Humility and Eternal Bliss

Paying homage to Dakshinamurthy, Shankaracharya emphasized humility, ease, and simplicity in today’s session. He stated that if we live with humility, we will be filled with gratitude towards everyone. Humility is the path to eternal bliss, a new path shown by Shankaracharya.

Applying humility in life might provide limited benefits, but finding where you lack humility is the key to unlocking the path to eternal bliss. If you believe you are already humble, the possibility of this path opening is reduced. Hence, identify where and in what situations you are not humble.

Search for Humility

Identify your stance on humility. Apologize where your lack of humility has caused suffering. As mentioned in "Mitchha Dukham," say to everyone, “I apologize, I was not humble that day.”

Humility, ease, and simplicity are the paths to eternal bliss. Even great teachers of the universe sat on the ground. True humility is realized when you are willing to sit on the ground.

Improving Through Humility

Finding and improving the areas where humility is lacking is the first step towards eternal bliss. When you enhance your humility, you will experience eternal bliss in life.

By adopting humility, ease, and simplicity, you can attain gratitude and true joy in every aspect of life.

The Importance of Humility

When you agree to be humble and are willing to sit happily on the ground, and give with humility, the path to eternal bliss opens up. Shankaracharya prays for humility to be present in every moment, every situation, and every relationship in our lives. Humility helps us navigate life’s challenges. When there is no humility, we demand more from life. A humble person expresses gratitude for what they receive from God and is content with a sense of wonder.

Practice of Humility

Suffering in life means we are dissatisfied with what we have. However, when you adopt humility and are willing to sit on the ground, happiness and joy come naturally. According to Shankaracharya, adopting humility can bring eternal bliss into our lives.

Without humility, we face many difficulties. But by walking the path of humility, we can live life with simplicity and ease. This humility helps us overcome life’s challenges.

Humility and Eternal Bliss

We pray to Shankaracharya to bring humility into our lives so that we can be happy. Humility is the path to eternal bliss, and by adopting it, we can achieve satisfaction in life.

Praise and Thanks to Shankaracharya

I am deeply grateful to all of you for giving me the opportunity to practice Dakshinamurthy Stotra. Thank you and best wishes.