Shankaracharya's Atma Bhod

॥श्री:॥ 

अथ श्री आदि शंकराचार्य विरचित 

॥आत्म बोद:॥ 

To release ourselves from this materialistic world and to start a new journey towards the self realization [ Eternal bliss ] should be an important goal of a human , and we should be proud because god has given us an opportunity to think and work accordingly, which most of the living creatures doesn't have, which says we have special abilities that aren't used at all. This is an attempt by an ignorant person to know who he is ? to know about this , he should follow a path of SELF-ENQUIRY , by controlling his SELF,  which becomes core in spiritual life , Most of us are influenced by MAYA, we are in state that is completely occupied by Maya, we don't know what we are doing and a reason for it, which is leading us into re-birth cycle, to come out these materialistic clutches we shall all follow Guru Shankara's path of self realization . The shankaracharay's work is discussed here which will help us, But this is not our motto , we from श्री नागलक्ष्मी आशीर्वाद महा समस्थानम, Thally, have a new methodology (or) practice in realizing the Self , in later stages we shall discuss about it. We shall now obtain guru's grace by following his work. 

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श्लोक -१ 

तपोभि: क्षीणपापानां शान्तानां वीतरागिणाम । 

मुमुक्षुणामपेक्ष्यो S यमात्माबोधो विधीयते ॥  

Shri Shankaracharya starts his work with an introductory verse which says :

पद परिचय: -

तपोभि: -  by austerities 

क्षीणपापानां - being purified by themselves 

शान्तानां - for those who have kept their mind peaceful and calm 

वीतरागिणाम - those who are free from cravings 

मुमुक्षुणाम - for those who are desirous of Moksha 

अपेक्ष्यो - Worthy of attending 

अयम - this 

आत्मबोधो - Self Knowledge ( आत्म बोध:)

विधीयते - Being composed (by me - Adi shankara )

I am composing the Atma Bodha , which is designed for the benefit of those who got rid of sins by doing penance, those who have a peaceful mind, those who could overcome their cravings, and those who are desirous of moksha-Liberation .

Sri Adi Shankara in this verse strongly emphasises on the qualification that is required to a person who is in need of self realization , Only Self knowledge can destroy ignorance and free one from repeated rebirths in samsara, the relative world of incessant change and movement, which is characterized by pain and pleasure, weal and woe, love and hate , life and death, and other pairs of opposites . 

Acharaya speaks about the austerities, for purification of the mind, such as performance of obligatory duties, practice of daily karmas, worships and self control.  Lord himself have told in Bhagavad Gita about three forms of austerity , the austerity of the body consists in worship of the gods, the religious preceptors and the wise, in cleanliness, uprightness, continence, and in non-violence . The austerity of speech consists in utterance of lords name with no pause, and by words that do not give offence and are truthful, pleasant and beneficial, also in regular study of vedas. The austerity of mind consists in practice of inner serenity, kindliness, silence, self-control, and purity of heart. This threefold austerity should be practiced with supreme faith in the spiritual goal, by men of steady mind without desire for any selfish end. 

Acharaya also asks to observe peace in heart, unperturbed by attachment and aversion when in contact with agreeable and disagreeable objects. Cravings- for sensuous happiness in this life or here after. Acharya stresses about ones desire to be liberated from all the illusory bonding's and ignorance, sufferings of various kinds which result from selfish desires and actions. Only when such burning desire is there that any studies or any teachings will be useful. 

Thus the qualities that guard this secret knowledge are explained by Acharya in this verse and where he thus indicates the qualification required for one desirous of learning this work. Self Knowledge alone is the direct cause of Liberation.