HASTAMALAKIYAM (Oct )

Summary

HASTAMALAKIYAM (Oct 2017), translated and explained by Swami Suprajnananda, presents the essence of Advaita philosophy through 12 verses by Sri Shankaracharya’s disciple Hastamalakacharya. The text emphasizes that the Atman (self) remains unaffected by the characteristics of the intellects it reflects upon, much like the sun remains unchanged despite reflecting in moving or still waters. The ninth verse illustrates this analogy, stating that though the sun appears fragmented in water, it retains its singular, unchanging nature. Similarly, the Atman, though appearing as many due to reflection in diverse intellects, remains eternal and unaltered. Swami Vivekananda reinforces this idea, noting that the perfect (Atman) is never imperfect, unaffected by external conditions like darkness or human wickedness, just as the sun remains undisturbed by distorted perceptions. A parable further clarifies this concept: a lower bird, consuming sweet and bitter fruits, symbolizes the individual soul experiencing duality, while the higher, calm bird represents the true self, unaffected by duality. The lower bird’s eventual transformation into the higher bird signifies realizing the unity of the self with the divine, dispelling the illusion of multiplicity. The text concludes by likening this unity to the one sun reflecting in dew-drops, stressing that realizing the self’s divine nature requires transcending these reflections.