Of the monumental literature authored by Sri Sankara, the Sri Daksinamurti Stotram, comprising stotras in praise of the glory of Isvara, holds a significant place. Singing the importance of nirguna nirakara paramesvara, the text elaborates on Lord Sri Daksinamurti as embodiment of atma-dharma and knowledge and describes the essential nature of Brahman.
Here, Swami Tattvavidananda offers his critical, verse-to-verse, detailed commentary on the Daksinamurti Stotram along with its transliteration in Roman script and its English translation. He explains the ultimate truth as presented in that text through a variety of experiences of the false individual caught in the web of samsara. Through original and contemporary yet common examples, he brings out the purport of the Stotram and enumerates various stages of sadhana to understand the ultimate reality and develop an attitude of witness to the inner world of feelings.
Themes like creation and nature of universe, process of gaining knowledge, maya, plurality of the world and the supreme reality, the jiva are explained as given in the text. The fluent and easy-to-understand commentary incorporates ancient and modern scientific theories to explain their inadequacies and contentions of various schools of philosophy on different aspects to enable a broader understanding of the text. The work will interest scholars of ancient Indian philosophy and literature and inspire and motivate general readers keen on acquiring insights into religious and philosophical questions.