Manisha Panchakam is a stotra containing five verses (slokas)[1] attributed by the Advaita-traditiin to Adi Shankara,[2] the Hindu philosopher.
According to traditiin, Adi Shankara wrote the Manisha Panchakam at Varanasi (Kashi/Benaras), the ancient sacred city of India, and the home to the famous Kashi Visvanatha temple.
According to the story, Adi Shankaraachaarya, was on his way to the temple after finishing his bath in Ganga, when he came across a chandaala (an outcaste) and his four dogs.
This is my firm conviction.Third Verse - शश्वन्नश्वरमेव विश्वमखिलं निश्चित्य वाचा गुरो- र्नित्यं ब्रह्म निरन्तरं विमृशता निर्व्याजशान्तात्मना भूतं भावि च दुष्कृतं प्रदहता संविन्मये पावके प्रारब्धाय समर्पितं स्ववपुरित्येषा मनीषा मम ॥ ३ ॥Permanently in a state of flux is this entire world of change, reflect thus on the words of his Guru "Brahman is Eternal" dwelling on this only, casting aside all dissimilar thoughts, his mind is quietened and poised And all past and future residual Vasanas of evil deeds are burnt in the fire of Pure consciousness, He thereafter offers his body to Prarabdha Such a one is worthy to be a Guru, be he a Chandala or a Brahmana, this is my firm conviction.Fourth Verse - या तिर्यङ्नरदेवताभिरहमित्यन्तः स्फुटा गृह्यते यद्भासा हृदयाक्षदेहविषया भान्ति स्वतोऽचेतनाः तां भास्यैः पिहितार्कमण्डलनिभां स्फूर्तिं सदा भावय- न्योगी निर्वृतमानसो हि गुरुरित्येषा मनीषा मम ॥ ४ ॥Upon That which in animals, man and the Deities is, as the inner “I” or Ego clearly perceived to be present Upon That Light by which the mind, senses and body instruments are enlivened, though in themselves inert Upon that Radiance covered by dark clouds, yet shining forth from behind them he who always meditates a Yogi, with mind freed of all thoughts, is indeed worthy of being a Guru, this is my firm conviction.
Manisha Panchakam conveys the message that the Paramatman (consciousness) is same within all beings regardless bodily distinctions of caste.