Dasbodh Essay

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Dasbodh is a classic spiritual text that until recently has been largely unavailable in the West. The text was written in the 17th Century{1654} by the great Saint, Shri Samartha Ramdas in the Marathi language. Marathi is the native language of Maharashtra State in India. The book was originally written in a poetic style and is presented in the format of a conversation between a Guru and disciple. Many questions are answered and many doubts are cleared. In Dasbodh, Samartha Ramdas presents the essence of many Vedic texts. Dasbodh is truly a manual for life in the highest sense. Dasbodh has been popular for many years in India and has only recently begun to receive recognition in the West. Dasbodh is somewhat unique among spiritual literature in that it not only expounds the classic themes of discrimination between the true and the untrue, and detachment commonly found in Vedic literature, but also provided is detailed instruction on how to function and excel in society from a place of deep spiritual understanding. Dasbodh is a large volume which has 20 Main Chapters, each consisting of 10 sub-chapters. Each of these sub-chapters varies in the number of stanzas, but averages around 30-40 stanzas (ovi) per sub-chapter with some being considerably longer. Contained within the chapters of Dasbodh, Ramdas clearly outlines and makes easy the path of liberation through Devotion and Knowledge. Through knowledge, Ramdas clears away all doubts and gives the understanding of one's "True Self." Ramdas also reveals the true meaning and significance of "Discrimination" and "Detachment." Truly, an entire volume could be written in trying to describe all that is contained within this great text. It draws upon ancient Vedic texts including, but not limited to; The Vedas, the Shashtras, the Upanishads, the Avadhut Gita, the Bhagavad Gita, the Rama Gita, the Yogavasishtha, the Guru
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