siddhantabindu /9

FOREWORD
 

 
The Siddhanta-bindu of Madhusudana Sarasvatī
is a valuable introduction to the study of Advaita. It
is valuable for two reasons. Being a commentary on

Şankara's Daşaṣlokī, it takes the reader to Sankara,
the perennial source of inspiration to all those who
are interested in Advaita. It also helps the rea-
der to have a taste of the style and argumentative
skill of Madhusudana, one of the masterminds of
the school of Advaita.
 

 
The Daşaşlokī, also known as Cidananda-daşasloki, which consists of ten verses, brings out the nature of the Self which is no other than Brahman, distinguishing it from the not-
slokiself, which consists of ten verses, brings out the
nature of the Self which is no other than Brahman,
distinguishing it from the not-self, which is unreal,
is unreal, insentient, and finite. Şańkara says that the Self is
one (eka), auspicious (siva), free from attributes
(kevala or nirdharmaka) and eternal, i.e. what remains
for ever without getting sublated (avaşişhta). The
Siddhanta-bindu written by Madhusudana is a com-
mentary on the Daşaşlokī. Madhusūdana not only
explains the meaning of each verse of the original
text, but also elucidates the various aspects of the
Advaita school. Though the commentary is called
"Siddhanta-bindu", which means, "a drop of the
loctrine ", it is indeed a summary or digest of seve-
ral aspects of the Advaita doctrine. Hence its import-
ance and value.
 

 
Swami Acalānanda's translation of the Siddhanta-
bindu is lucid and faithful to the original. The notes
he has provided will be helpful in understanding the
 

 
.