Bhaja Govindam Moodhamate by Sri Bhagavan Prem Siddharth.

Bhaja Govindam , Bhaja Govindam
Govindam Bhaja Moodamathe
Samprapte Sannihite Kale
Nahi nahi Rakshati Dukrunkarane!

Every one of us has heard this sloka and we also know the story behind it, but let me recollect it here once again. Sri Adi Sankaracharya, once grieved to see an old man learning by rote grammatical rules. ‘Dukrunkarana.’ The spontaneous overflow of powerful feeling of Sri Adi Sankaracharya gave rise to the famous ‘Bhaja Govindam ‘slokas- the best guide to attain Gnana.

The Acharya advises the old man to do ‘Bhaja Govindam’ pray to God from now itself. Otherwise when he stands at death’s door, his grammar will not save him. So far good! But why did he address a man older than him ‘Moodamathe’? Isn’t it against the rules of Hindu dharma?

No! If a person tells us ‘you are blind, you can’t see properly’ we get irritated, but if an eye specialist tells us the same thing, we are not irritated, we get scared. We are prepared to undergo the needed treatment. ‘The same way if the adiguru calls a stranger Moodamathe it is not with ill feeling, but with concern against his foolishness’ says Bhagavan Prem Siddharth in his ‘Bhaja Govindam Moodhamate’ in Telugu.
This book is an apt analysis of Sri Sankaracharya’s teaching. If Sri Sankaracharya’s slokas lead us to the attainment of Gnana, Bhagavan Prem Sidharth’s explanations lead us to the right understanding of his teachings. In the course of explanation he drives out various misconceptions regarding the religious practices and regarding the slokas of the Acharya.

For instance he strikes at the root of the deep rooted feeling ‘We should give up samsara to attain gnana or moksha. ‘Kate kanta kaste putra ?’ Who is your wife who is your son, doyou think they will help you in your old age ? This is the true meaning of that line but Sri Prem Siddharth has driven out our misconception. He has elaborated on ‘what is Samara’? Samsara doesnot refer to wife, children, relatives or friends. Avidya - ignorance is samsara.

What is samsara? Why are we born again and again? Who are our parents? Who is a gnani? How does he attain Gnana? How should he lead his life? Where should he look for Gnana? Who is God and who are we? We have clear cut answers to these questions with many examples, explanations and anecdotes. Seeking the knowledge of the self is Govinda Bhajana. Since Govinda is all pervading, what I am is nothing but God. The answer to the question, ‘Who am I ‘gives you an answer to the question ‘Who is God?’

Once Sri Rama asked Anjaneya, ‘Who are you?’ ‘Anjaneya answered, ‘Swami, in terms of body, I am your devotee. In terms of life I am a part of you. In terms of Atma in philosophy - Tvamevaham - you are me and I am you. Sarvam Rama Mayam. Everything is Rama’ Visualising Vishnu (Rama) in everything is Vaisnav philosophy. Visualising Siva in everything is Saiva philosophy. But realizing that Siva, Vishnu, Rama all are different names of one God and learning everything is Paramathma is Govinda Bhaja says Sri Prem Sidhardha.

Every Hindu should read this book to know our Sanathana dharma. It drives out our ignorance of our religion. It explains that nothing else except Gnana can give us Moksha. If we have agnana regarding a Ghatam can we get rid of it by having a bath in the holy rivers? Accordingly, if we have Agnana regarding us, can we get rid of it by doing something else?