With hope dispirited, (but)silence(maintained), Decorated by desirelessness, (but)Peace(maintained) Begging only a handful food, (but) stationed At the foot of a tree, A Sage wins (emancipation)
Attaining the state of Sthitaprajna is the aim of human life on this earth as stated in the Bhagawad Geeta. Who is a Sthitaprajna?
Sadashiva Brahmendral comes out with a simple answer to this question raised in our minds. He classifies the eight prime qualities of a Sthitaprajna and says a Sthitaprajna is one who has the eight nivruttis
1. Jijnasa Nivrutti - Has no inclination to know or learn anything new.
2. Jihasa Nivrutti- Has nothing to get rid off like anger, sleep etc.
3. Prepsa Nivrutti - Has nothing to attain or even inclination to attain like Svarga etc.
4. Cikitsa nivrutti - Has nothing new to do or reform in this world.
5. Shoka Nivrutti - Has transcended sufferring.
6. Bhaya Nivrutti - Has no fear.
7. Sarva Sankalpa Nivrutti - Has no mental formations based on Name and Form.
8. Sarva Dwaita Nivrutti - Has no dualistic perceptions
He is immersed in such a sense of completeness, bliss, immanence and truth that he crosses the ocean of vruttis (Nivrutti) and is Sat-Cit-Aananda. The greatness of saints cannot be easily grasped or perceived by human beings. Such is their greatness that we fail to understand them fully even if we try hard a life time. However they, out of their compassion of a mother to a child, not only guide us in all our endeavors but also help us evolve spiritually. One such saint is Sadashiva Brahmendral of Southern India.
He is the author of several Sanskrit works including Advaita rasa manjari, Brahma tattva prakaashikaa and Yoga sudhaakara. He also wrote several Carnatic compositions to spread the advaita philosophy among common people. His compositions are quite popular and can be heard frequently in Carnatic concerts. Some of these are Bhaja Raghuviram (raga Mohanam), Bhajare Gopalam (Hindolam), Manasa Sancharare (Sama), Sarvam Brahmamayam(Madhuvanti), and Pibare Ramarasam (Ahir bhairav).
