Self Illumination

Here is presented a translation of a short work attributed to A-di S'an.kara, the first of the S'an.kara A-ca-ryas, and the most eminent exponent of Advaita Veda-nta. It is entitled 'Self Illu- mination' ('Sva-tmapraka-s'ika-').

The work takes the form of a conversation between a disciple and a teacher. In the first three verses the disciple states that he knows the non-dual Self, but believes in the activity of bondage, liberation etc., and thinks diversity is true. He appeals to the teacher to destroy his doubt about non-duality.

In the remainder of the text the teacher expounds the philosophy of advaita ('non-duality'). Everything is conscious- ness alone. Creation is said to be merely a dream or illusion. The text leads the reader to the practical realisation of the bliss of one's own Absolute Self.

The title in Sanskrit comprises the words 'sva' ('own'), 'a-tma' ('Self'), and 'praka-s'ika-' ('illuminating'). The root ka-s' preceded by the prefix 'pra' means 'to shine, become manifest'. The noun 'praka-s'ika-' comes to mean 'illuminating, making manifest'.

A literal translation of 'sva-tmapraka-s'ika-' would be 'making your own Self shine or become manifest'. For simplicity however the compound has here been translated as 'Self Illumination'. A number of versions of the Sanskrit text have been considered, and the most likely readings adopted.