Poem of Shankaracharya

Hymns of Shankaracharya

Hymns of Adi Shankaracharya

Worship Govinda, Worship Govinda, Worship Govinda. Oh fool! Rules of Grammar will not save you at the time of your death.

Uncertain is the life of man as rain drops on a lotus leaf. Know that the whole world remains a prey to disease, ego and grief.

So long as a man is fit and able to support his family, see the affection all those around him show. But no one at home cares to even have a word with him when his body totters due to old age.

When one is alive, his family members enquire kindly about his welfare. But when the soul departs from the body, even his wife runs away in fear of the corpse.

Who is your wife? Who is your son? Strange is this samsara. Of whom are you? Where have you come from? Brother, ponder over these truths.

Do not boast of wealth, friends, and youth. Each one of these are destroyed within a minute. Free yourself from the illusion of the world of Maya and attain the timeless Truth.

Oh mad man! Why this engrossment in thoughts of wealth? Is there no one to guide you? There is only one thing in three worlds that can save you from the ocean from samsara. Get into that boat of satsangha quickly.

  There are many who go with matted locks, many who have clean shaven heads, many whose hairs have been plucked out; some are clothed in saffron, yet others in various colors — all just for a livelihood. Seeing truth revealed before them, still the foolish ones see it not.

Worship Govinda, worship Govinda, worship Govinda, Oh fool! Other than chanting the Lord’s names, there is no other way to cross the life’s ocean.

I am He!

Mind, nor intellect, nor ego, feeling;

Sky nor earth nor metals am I.

I am He, I am He, Blessed spirit, I am He!

No birth, no death, no caste have I;

Father, mother, have I none.

I am He, I am He, Blessed spirit, I am He!

Beyond the flights of fancy, formless am I,

Permeating the limbs of all life;

Bondage I do not fear; I am free, ever free.

I am He, I am He, Blessed spirit, I am He!

Thy Guru’s Feet

Thy body may be beautiful and glow with flawless health,

Thy fame colossal and thou mayest have won to fabulous wealth,

But if to the Guru’s feet thy heart untethered still remain.

Then all thou hast achieved on earth is vain, is vain, is vain.

Thou mayest be deep-versed in all that scripture have to tell

A beacon of light, a master of prose and verse delectable,

But if to the Guru’s feet thy heart untethered still remain.

Then all thou hast achieved on earth is vain, is vain, is vain.

Poem of Shankaracharya – A Spiritual Content on Wisdom and Self-Realisation

Poem of Shankaracharya can be understood as a spiritual expression of the wisdom taught by Adi Shankaracharya. It is not only about poetic beauty, but about the deeper message of life, truth, detachment, devotion, and self-realisation. Adi Shankaracharya is remembered as one of the greatest spiritual philosophers of India, who revived the path of Advaita Vedanta and explained that the true Self is not different from the Supreme Reality.

The main beauty of Poem of Shankaracharya lies in its message of inner awakening. Human beings usually identify themselves with the body, name, family, profession, status, and possessions. Because of this false identification, they experience fear, ego, attachment, jealousy, and sorrow. Shankaracharya’s teaching guides people to look beyond these temporary identities and discover the eternal Atma within.

His philosophy teaches that the world is changing every moment. Wealth, beauty, youth, relationships, power, and fame cannot remain forever. A person who depends only on these things for happiness will always feel insecure. Through spiritual wisdom, one learns that real peace is not outside, but inside. This is why his teachings are still meaningful for modern people who live in stress, competition, and constant comparison.

Through Poem of Shankaracharya, readers can understand the importance of discrimination, known as viveka. Viveka means the ability to understand the difference between the real and the unreal, the permanent and the temporary, the soul and the body. Without this understanding, the mind keeps running behind desires. With this understanding, life becomes more balanced, peaceful, and meaningful.

Another important teaching connected with Shankaracharya is detachment. Detachment does not mean leaving family, work, or society. It means living in the world without becoming a slave of worldly attractions. A person can love, serve, work, and perform duties sincerely, but should not forget the higher truth. When attachment reduces, fear also reduces. When ego reduces, love and humility increase.

Poem of Shankaracharya also teaches that knowledge should not remain only in the mind. True knowledge must transform character. If a person reads scriptures but remains angry, proud, selfish, or dishonest, then the knowledge has not become wisdom. Real spiritual knowledge makes a person calm, kind, truthful, disciplined, and compassionate. It improves both inner life and outer behavior.

Adi Shankaracharya gave great importance to self-enquiry. The question “Who am I?” is central to spiritual growth. Most people ask questions about the world, other people, success, money, and problems. Very few ask who they truly are beyond the body and mind. When this question is asked sincerely, the seeker begins to move toward the truth of the Self.

For modern readers, Poem of Shankaracharya is highly relevant because today’s world is full of information but lacks wisdom. People may have technology, comfort, and education, yet many still feel restless inside. Shankaracharya’s message reminds us that peace cannot be achieved only through outer progress. Inner progress is equally important. Meditation, prayer, self-control, good company, and spiritual study help purify the mind.

His teachings also explain the nature of maya, or illusion. Maya makes the temporary world appear completely real and permanent. Because of maya, a person becomes attached to name, form, success, and relationships. But when wisdom arises, the seeker understands that all these are passing experiences. The real Self remains unchanged behind all changes.

Another strong message is humility. A wise person does not become proud of knowledge. Instead, wisdom makes the heart softer. Shankaracharya’s life shows that true greatness is not in ego, but in service to truth. He travelled, taught, debated, wrote, and guided people not for personal fame, but for the revival of spiritual understanding.

The teaching also connects devotion and knowledge. Some people think knowledge and devotion are separate, but in deeper spirituality, both support each other. Knowledge removes ignorance, and devotion purifies the heart. When the mind understands truth and the heart loves the Divine, spiritual life becomes complete.

Ultimately, Poem of Shankaracharya gives a message of freedom. It tells the seeker that the soul is not weak, limited, or helpless. The true Self is pure, peaceful, and divine. Suffering continues only as long as one remains attached to false identity. When ignorance is removed through wisdom, the seeker realizes the eternal truth within. This message inspires every person to live with awareness, purity, humility, and inner peace.