UpadeshaPanchakam

Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada composed this composition containing five slokas, each being in the format of Guru instructing the disciple on the discipline. Hence this hymn is suitably named as Upadesa Panchakam.

Commencing from the first step, the study of the Vedas, and culminating in the state of attaining Brahmajnana, Upadesha Panchakam takes the seeker step by step upwards. Hence this is also called as sopana panchakam. Each sloka has 8 instructions so as a whole total 40 instructions. To achieve the ultimate goal, Sri Shankara Bhagavatpada has built a 40 stepped staircase for the seeker through this composition