---
type: Reference
bundle: upanishadic-core
id: vivekachudamani
title: "Vivekacūḍāmaṇi"
description: "Advaita classic attributed to Shankara; discrimination (viveka) between the real and the unreal."
tradition: Advaita Vedānta
author: "Attributed to Śaṅkarācārya (c. 788–820 CE); authorship debated"
language: Sanskrit
approximate_date: "c. 8th–10th century CE"
key_concepts_in_bundle: [mahavakya, aham-brahmasmi, tat-tvam-asi, nididhyasana, sakshin, upadhi, pancha-kosha, anandamaya-kosha, jivanmukti, brahmabhavana, sat-chit-ananda]
timestamp: "2026-07-01"
okf_version: "0.2"
license: "CC BY-SA 4.0"
---

# Vivekacūḍāmaṇi — विवेकचूडामणि

"Crest Jewel of Discrimination." The most comprehensive single-text exposition of Advaita Vedānta practice and philosophy. 580+ verses covering Sādhana Catuṣṭaya (fourfold qualification), analysis of the three bodies and five sheaths, the Mahāvākya teaching, Nididhyāsana, the Jīvanmukta's characteristics, and Videhamukti. Structured as a dialogue between a disciple and the teacher (Guru).

## Key Passages for Bundle Concepts

| Verses | Concept | Content |
|--------|---------|---------|
| 150–230 | Pañcakośa | Systematic analysis of each sheath as Anātman |
| 218–230 | Ānandamaya Kośa | Explicit rejection as Ātman; arguments for Anātman status |
| 238–240 | Sat-Cit-Ānanda | As Svarūpa Lakṣaṇa |
| 254–258 | Mahāvākya | Fourfold schema; the Mahāvākya as Akhaṇḍa-Ākāra-Vṛtti |
| 316–322 | Sākṣin | Witness consciousness; Svaprakāśatva |
| 360–380 | Nididhyāsana / Brahmabhāvanā | Dissolution of Viparīta-bhāvanā |
| 428–570 | Jīvanmukti | The Jīvanmukta's characteristics, Prārabdha, Sthitaprajña |
| 564–580 | Videhamukti | The exhaustion of Prārabdha |
| 118–127 | Upādhi | Three bodies; crystal analogy |

## The Fourfold Mahāvākya Schema (vv. 254–258)

The VCM provides the most complete treatment of how the Mahāvākya functions as pramāṇa. The key claim: the Mahāvākya generates an Akhaṇḍa-Ākāra-Vṛtti — an undivided, non-objectifying cognition that recognizes the non-dual nature directly, not as a concept about something else.

## Authorship Question

Scholarship debates whether the VCM is by Śaṅkara himself or by a later follower. The Advaita tradition accepts Śaṅkara's authorship. The philosophical content is consistent with Śaṅkara's Brahmasūtra Bhāṣya and Upaniṣad commentaries. OKF cites the text as "attributed Śaṅkarācārya" without adjudicating the dispute.

## Recommended Editions

- Swami Madhavananda translation (Advaita Ashrama)
- Swami Turiyananda (Ramakrishna Math)
- A.J. Alston (Shanti Sadan — scholarly with extensive notes)
