Advaita Makaranda, one of the most beautiful texts on Vedanta sastra, is a work of Sri Lakshmidhara Kavi. Makaranda means "the honey found in flowers". It is that essence which only bees can reach to gather, after crawling deep into the flowers. Similarly, the mantras are like flowers and those chanting them wisely are able to understand, experience and enjoy their true meaning - to reach and gather the nectar.

The poet, in this short treatise of just 28 verses has brought out the nectar of Upanishad mantras. He establishes through reason and logic the identity of individual self with the universal self. He tries to remove the doubts that arise in our minds regarding the nature of Reality. This text is a must for a serious student of Vedanta.

In the beginning of his commentary, Swami Tejomayananda has composed 11 beautiful verses expressing his Gratitude to his guru, Swami Chinmayananda.

About the Author:

Sri Laksmidhara Kavi lived in the late Seventeenth century and was born in Jagannath Puri Ksetra in Orissa. He was a poet in the court of king Baj Bahadur of Kurumachal Pradesh. Besides Advaita Makaranda, he authored two other texts: Amrta Tarangini which is his short notes on Srimad Bhagavata and Bhagavannama Kaumudi, in which he has revealed the greatness and sanctity of Lord's name and how nama can lead us to liberation.

Swami Tejomayananda:
Swami Tejomayananda is the present Head of the Chinmaya Mission Worldwide.