Book description
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION In this edition the book has been
generally revised and some improvement has been made as regards printing
and other matters. All this, it is hoped, will make the book more
acceptable to the public. Mayavati, 1926. I bow to Govinda, whose nature
is Bliss Supreme, who is the Sadguru, who can be known only from the
import of all Vedanta, and who is beyond the reach of speech and mind.
Viveka means discrimination, Chud is crest, and Mani, jewel. Hence the
title means Crest-jewel of discrimination. Just as the jewel on the
crest of a diadem is the most conspicuous ornament on a persons body, so
the present treatise is a masterpiece among works treating of
discrimination between the Real and the unreal. In this opening stanza
salutation is made to God Govinda, or to the Guru, in his absolute
aspect. It may be interesting to note that the name of Sankaras Guru was
Govindapda, and the Sloka is ingeniously composed so as to admit of both
interpretations....
