Hymn expounding the nature of the Self

CHENNAI, JULY 11. Among the disciples of Adi Sankara, Hastamalaka is unique in that his preceptor made an exception by writing a commentary on the hymn he composed. This attests to not only his scholarship but also his spiritual stature. The traditional account given in Sankara Vijayam also endorses the merit of this disciple even at the first meeting of the Guru and the disciple. Right from his birth, Hastamalaka remained mute and the parents were naturally worried about their son's condition. When they heard about Sankara's visit they took him along with the fond hope that he would start speaking by the grace of the saint.

It was Providence that willed that the disciple should speak at the behest of his preceptor in reply to his question ``Who are you?'' The boy who prostrated before the saint did not get up and when Sankara lifted him, Hastamalaka broke into exquisite verse at once highly philosophical in import. The reply took the form of a hymn in 12 verses and it became apparent to Sankara that he was a Self-realised soul who had out of choice remained dumb since birth as he did not want to engage in worldly matters. The saint immediately accepted him as his disciple and named him Hastamalaka, indicating that his spiritual stature was apparent as clearly as a gooseberry fruit on one's palm. Though the parents were overjoyed that he could speak, to their dismay he did not show interest in secular matters and hence they entrusted him to Sankara.

In his introductory discourse on the Hastamalakeeyam, Sri K. Srinivasan said that this hymn was in the form of an exposition of the essential nature of ``I'' (the Self). Instead of identifying himself with his individual personality, Hastamalaka described the blissful nature of the Self (Atman), when Sankara questioned his identity, adding that all characteristics arose from the Self. The merit of this hymn can be gauged from the fact that a preceptor of Sankara's stature chose to write a commentary on it.

Sankara was a prolific writer whose writings encompassed all the major genres of philosophical and devotional literature. He wrote extensive commentaries on the Brahmasutra, Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita and also condensed versions of his commentaries for the benefit of future generations which would not have the rigorous scholarship necessary to study his elaborate works. Besides, he wrote independent works expounding the tenets of Advaita philosophy and also many hymns in praise of the different deities.

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