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It was even thus Tandi of tranquil soul, resembling Indra himself in splendour, praised the illustrious Lord of all existent and non-existent things, that great Deity clad in animal skins. Indeed, Brahma had sung this hymn in the presence of Sankara. Thou shalt, therefore, comprehend it well. This is cleansing, and washes away all sins.
Sankara does this in the following way. As long as the soul is tied down to material conditions that is, is passing through the processes of Samsara it is an agent. But as soon as it has escaped from this bondage of transmigration it dwells in a state of perfect repose, inactive and restful.
To thee that art called Brahmachakra, to thee that art called Sarva, Sankara, and Siva! We bow to thee that art the lord of all great beings! We bow to thee that hast a thousand heads, to thee that hast a thousand arms, to thee that art called Death! To thee that hast a thousand eyes, a thousand legs! To thee whose acts are innumerable!
The same commentator replies: "Just as lifeless hair can grow out of a living man." Again, it is said, "In the universe Brahman is at once he who enjoys and he who is enjoyed. How can he be both one and the other agent and object?" To which Sankara replies: "It is as possible for these two to go together as for the ocean to be itself and to be at the same time foam, waves, billows, and bubbles.
Nothing in this world is the result of our own acts. That which had been appointed by us in view of securing one only bridegroom hath now terminated in favour of many. The god himself knows the right or wrong of this. As regards myself, when Sankara hath ordained so, right or wrong, no sin can attach to me. Let these with happy hearts take, as ordained, the hand of Krishna with the rites.
Mriti-grahitaya Buddhya is, as explained by Sankara and others "with understanding controlled by patience." K. T. Telang renders it "with firm resolve coupled with courage." 198. i.e. I am always visible to him, and he too is always within my sight and I am always kind to him. 199. i.e. how its stable existence may be secured, the mind being by nature ever restless.
At last Mahadeva, pleased with the high-souled son of Bhrigu's race, described him, in the presence of his divine spouse, as possessed of many virtues: 'This Rama, of firm vows is ever devoted to me. Gratified with him, the Lord Sankara thus repeatedly proclaimed his virtues in the presence of gods and the Rishis, O slayer of foes. Meanwhile, the Daityas became very mighty.
He taught little about metaphysics or the nature of God, but he insisted on the necessity and efficacy of Vedic rites. More important both as a thinker and an organizer was Śankara. There is some discrepancy in the traditions of his birth, but he was probably born about 788 A.D. in a family of Nambuthiri Brahmans at Kaladi in the Cochin state.
Nothing in this world is the result of our own acts. That which had been appointed by us in view of securing one only bridegroom hath now terminated in favour of many. The god himself knows the right or wrong of this. As regards myself, when Sankara hath ordained so, right or wrong, no sin can attach to me. Let these with happy hearts take, as ordained, the hand of Krishna with the rites.
Both in language and thought it bears a striking resemblance to Buddhist writings of the Mâdhyamika school and also contains many ideas and similes which reappear in the works of Śankara.
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