adi shankaracharya – Tavamithram Sarvada

The Robe, the Matted Hair, the Beard, and the Blind Spot

Posted on April 3, 2026September 20, 2026 by Tavamithram Sarvada

Why outward appearance so often replaces enquiry

Some years ago, while passing through security at the airport in Hyderabad, India, I noticed a man in saffron robes, with long white hair and a beard, walking past, accompanied by two female assistants dressed in similar mendicant attire.

A few people nearby, who had also just cleared security, immediately folded their hands in deep respect.

I asked them who he was.

They said they did not know.

They did not know, and yet they expressed such visible reverence for him.

More than a thousand years ago, this was already exposed.
And yet, nothing much has changed.

Before you fold your hands,
before you bow your head,
pause for a moment.

Because this is not a small thing.

It is the difference between
clarity… and conditioning.

There is something important worth asking.

Do we actually know who we are bowing to, or why we are doing so?

Pause.

This is not a criticism.

This is an observation.

And it is not new.

This exact pattern is pointed out in the Bhaja Govindam song, attributed to Shri Adi Shankaracharya.

जटिलो मुण्डी लुञ्छितकेशः (jatilo mundi luncchita-keshah)
काशायाम्बरबहुकृतवेषः । (kaashaayaambara-bahu-krita-veshah)
पश्यन्नपि च न पश्यति मूढः (pashyann api cha na pashyati moodhah)
उदरनिमित्तं बहुकृतवेषः ॥ (udara-nimittam bahu-krita-veshah)

The Shloka describes a situation.

Many individuals adopt different outward appearances.
One grows matted locks of hair
Another shaves his head.
Another plucks out his hair.
Some wear saffron robes, others adopt various appearances.

All these are merely different disguises to fill their stomach.

Even while seeing, the fool does not truly see.

Now, please bear with me as I’ll give you a word-by-word translation of this Shloka:

जटिलो मुण्डी लुञ्छितकेशः (jatilo mundi luncchita-keshah)
One with matted hair, one with a shaved head, one with hair plucked out,

काशायाम्बरबहुकृतवेषः । (kaashaayaambara-bahu-krita-veshah)
wearing ochre robes, assuming many forms of appearance,

पश्यन्नपि च न पश्यति मूढः (pashyann api cha na pashyati moodhah)
even while seeing, the fool does not truly see,

उदरनिमित्तं बहुकृतवेषः ॥ (udara-nimittam bahu-krita-veshah)
all these many disguises are for the sake of the stomach.

Notice the reason:

“all these many disguises are for the sake of the stomach,
meaning for their livelihood.”

It then adds something more important.

“Even while seeing, the fool does not truly see.”

It means that even when the truth is right in front of them, those fools do not recognise it – “Seeing… yet not seeing.”

That is the exact point being made.

The Shloka is not discussing clothing.

It is pointing to something deeper.

Outward appearance can create an impression.

And that impression can be accepted without enquiry.

This same tendency is addressed in the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, in 2:42 to 46.

In those Shlokas, Krishna describes those who are unintelligent, whose minds are filled with desires, and who are drawn to the flowery statements of the Vedas, considering heaven to be the highest goal, with nothing beyond it.

They speak of Vedic rites that promise good birth, power, and enjoyment, believing that there is nothing higher than a life of pleasure and wealth.

Those who are attached to such gratification and power are carried away by these words and do not attain the firm and steady intellect to attain supreme mental equanimity.

And then it adds a final perspective.

In Shloka 2:46, Krishna says that for the one of Self-realisation, the role of the Vedas is like that of a small well when everything is flooded.

There, the focus is on people becoming absorbed in words, rituals, and promises,
while missing the essential understanding.

So the Shloka from the Bhaja Govindam song is not asking for rejection.

It urges people to be wary of those who adopt certain appearances for their livelihood, and instead seek clarity.

Not blind acceptance.

Not reaction based on appearance.

But understanding.
Understanding universal oneness.

This naturally raises a question:

When reverence arises,
is it based on true understanding
or on appearance?

The Shloka leaves that for the listener to examine.

If the question stays,
the enquiry has already begun.

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Are you that RARE Seeker?

Posted on October 13, 2024October 13, 2024 by Tavamithram Sarvada

In the timeless wisdom of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavan Krishna reveals a profound truth in Shloka SBG 7:03

मनुष्याणां सहस्रेषु कश्चिद्यतति सिद्धये |
यततामपि सिद्धानां कश्चिन्मां वेत्ति तत्त्वतः
manush-yaaNaam sahasreshu kash-chi-dyatati siddhaye
yatataa-mapi siddhaa-naam kash-chinmaam vetti tattvataha (SBG 7:03)”

“Out of thousands of men, hardly one tries to achieve perfection in Self-realisation and among those trying so hard to do so, there is hardly one who achieves perfection in Self-realisation and among those who do achieve Self-realisation, there is hardly one who truly knows Me.”

This revelation highlights a stark reality: the path to true SELF-realisation is trodden by only a few, and among those few, even fewer truly comprehend the essence of the Divine.

Reflecting on this, it’s remarkable to consider the efforts of Shri Adi Shankaracharya, my prime human spiritual guru. In the timeless ‘NirvaaNa Shatakam,’ he encapsulated profound truths in merely six Shlokas. Yet, he journeyed across Bharata Varsha (India) by foot, enlightening kings and commoners alike with the supreme knowledge of Vedanta. Why such an arduous endeavour? The answer lies in the pervasive ignorance that clouds human intellect.

One who has not achieved mental clarity—being confused, scared, worried, stuck in a belief system, or a mental slave to someone—usually flashes the victim card at the drop of a hat. In contrast, one who is sincerely seeking treats all experiences as learning opportunities. Simply put, I am extremely thankful to all those who cheated, hurt, insulted, or tried to harm me in the past. Without them, I might not have had sufficient fuel to propel my ship to the heights of bliss I have managed to create for myself in any given situation.

For ten years, yes, TEN YEARS, I have dedicated myself to this blog, sharing the rational philosophy of Vedanta. Many have visited, gained some insights, made minor life changes, and moved on. Some, however, have exhibited a shocking lack of courtesy and decency, demanding answers without a trace of respect. Here’s a recent example on my contact page from an Indian person living in the USA: “Can you break your fast completely second day of Navratri if you can’t do it or don’t have proper items is it a sin. Can I break my fast for Navratri or did I already break it before 8 by eating fruits and ate food after 9 pm doing aarti.” No greeting, no politeness—just a blunt demand for an answer, coupled with a disregard for the language they’re using, which is the main language of the country they are living in! This is the impression these people create of Indians. And what am I supposed to say to such a query? Is this a typical ‘Indian’ way of interacting with people? I can’t even discern what this person wants from me!

Well, on October 11th, 2024, two of this blog’s sincere and senior-most followers (senior not in terms of age but in years of association with this blog and my mission), along with my oldest and most trusted friend, and I had an online meeting to discuss Atma, Anatma, and the Mahavakya ‘Pragnyaanam Brahma’. The joy of engaging with such true seekers is simply indescribable, contrasting sharply with the frustration of dealing with blind believers who spread nonsense without understanding even the basics of Vedanta.

If the idea of discussing Vedanta resonates with you, if you wish to free yourself from the shackles of intellect-numbing belief systems, if you desire to live a life that is peaceful and blissful, and if you feel a genuine pull towards Vedanta, you may write to me and express your interest in joining our next online discussion. You can always go through the posts on this blog and watch videos on the Tavamithram YouTube channel. For the rest, feel free to continue on your current path—no pressure, no problem.

Seekers, let’s continue seeking Truth together.

The Usher Reveals It All – Truths they will never tell you!

Posted on May 8, 2023September 30, 2024 by Tavamithram Sarvada

Please complete the post and the video and come back to this Podcast Discussion

PLEASE READ THE POST BEFORE WATCHING THE VIDEO.

“I do this because this is what my elders have been doing,” is a typical argument given by people, who either do not have the inclination to learn and evolve, or have been trained to never ask questions.

In today’s world, it seems like everything is becoming more complicated than it needs to be. People are drifting away from the core Vedanta philosophy and creating their own sub-organisations and communities, often confusing children and youth about what is truly important in life.

Organised religions have taken advantage of this confusion by capitalising on people’s ignorance of Vedanta, and their desire to find meaning and purpose. They shame children and youth who come from a Dharmic background, of which Vedanta is at the pinnacle. Instead of focusing on the core philosophy of Vedanta, people are getting caught up in the beliefs of foreign religions, which have crept into their consciousness.

The Srimad Bhagavad Gita provides a perfect layout for a productive and fulfilling life, but unfortunately, many people do not fully understand its philosophy. Instead, through social media posts and videos, they are subliminally and also directly forced to fully believe in duality so that the gullible youth could become members of their large organisations. Most such organisations preach messages that are contrary to the teachings of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita.

It is time for people to start simplifying their lives and focusing on the core philosophy of Vedanta. We need to get back to basics and teach our children and youth the true meaning of dharma. By doing so, we can create a world that is more peaceful, harmonious, and fulfilling.

For those who have an open mind and are interested in learning more about the highest philosophy and science of Vedanta, there are resources available to help. Videos, books, and other materials can be found online, providing a wealth of information and knowledge about this ancient philosophy.

Let us all work together to simplify our lives and focus on what truly matters. By doing so, we can create a better world for ourselves, our children, and future generations to come.

This video is meant for people, who have an open mind and would like to experience and learn more about the highest philosophy and science of Vedanta.