| Sri Sankara
wrote a number of Vedaantic works for imparting the knowledge of the Self. He
composed a number of hymns to foster the sense of devotion in the hearts of men and this
One of these hymns is the famous "Bhaja Govindam". Pre-eminent Hindu scholar, C. Raja Gopalachari has written a commentary on
Bhaja Govindam. The following is excerpted from his introduction to Bhaja Govindam
Sri Sankara has packed into the "Bhaja Govindam"
song the substance of all the Vedantic works that he wrote and he has set the truth of the
union of devotion and knowledge to melodious music which delights the ear.
Some critics of Indian philosophy believe and say
that the way of devotion is different from the way of knowledge. When intelligence
matures and lodges securely in the heart, it becomes wisdom.
When that wisdom is integrated with life and issues out in
action, it becomes devotion. Knowledge which has become mature is spoken of as
devotion. If it does not get transformed into devotion, such knowledge is useless
tinsel. To hold and to say that jnaana and bhakti, knowledge and devotion, are as
different from each other as gold is from baser metal is to expose one's ignorance.
No other testimony is needed. Sri Sankara has packed
into the "Bhaja Govindam" song the substance of all the Vedantic works that he
wrote and he has set the truth of the union of devotion and knowledge to melodious music
which delights the ear.
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