Vivekachudamani

Vivekachudamani, usually translated as The Crest-Jewel of Discrimination, is a Sanskrit work in the tradition of Advaita Vedanta. Traditionally attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, it is considered an important concise exposition of non-dual philosophy and the path to liberation. The dating and authorship are subjects of scholarly discussion, but the text is widely regarded within the Advaita corpus as presenting Shankara’s teachings.

The central aim of the work is to guide the seeker toward moksha (liberation) by applying discernment between what is real and unreal, a process known as viveka. Alongside discrimination, the text emphasizes vairagya (renunciation) and mumukshutva (the longing for liberation) as essential dispositions. Through a combination of instruction and reflection, it explains the nature of the true self (Atman) and its non-difference from Brahman, while pointing to the illusionary character of appearance, mind, and the phenomenal world (maya).

The composition is in verse form and is typically treated as a compact manual for spiritual inquiry. It has been influential within the Advaita tradition and has inspired numerous commentaries by later scholars, as well as translations and studies in modern times. The work is commonly studied alongside other foundational texts in Advaita Vedanta to articulate the method and culmination of self-knowledge.

In scholarly and devotional contexts, Vivekachudamani serves as a reference point for discussions on discrimination, detachment, and the realization of the non-dual Self. It remains part of the traditional curriculum in some monastic and Vedanta study programs and continues to be read by students and general readers interested in Indian philosophy.