Continuing his teaching, Swamiji said, having completed chapter 10 known as Vibhuti Yoga, now we are entering Chapter 11 known as Vishwarupa darshana yoga. The word yoga attached to each chapter refers to the episode or the topic. So vishvarupa darshana yoga means the episode, which deals with vishvarupa darshanam.  It means Vision of God as Vishwa rupa. What is Vishwa rupa? Rupa means form and Vishwa means world, or Lord whose form is the very universe itself. Then the question comes up, how to get such a vishwa rupa darshanam? When a devotee wants to see God such as Rama, Krishna or Devi, scriptures tell us how to get that darshanam. Scriptures prescribe tapas or meditation or concentration. The devotee decides which form he wants to see. Then he concentrates on that form as per dhyana shloka. He has to learn the dhyana shloka to be able to concentrate on that form.

He has to visualize that particular form and generally a mantra is also taught, just as narada taught mantra to Dhruva, Prahlada etc. and the devotee has to do the Purascharanam of that mantra; Purascharanam means you find out how many letters are there in that mantra; say if there are six letters, you multiply it with as many lakhs; say if it is Gayathri mantra with 24 letters then japa is performed either for 24 lakhs times or 24 crore times. So you do dhyanam; you do Purascharanam, as described in the scriptures; and if a person follows this kind of tapas, the shastras prescribe that the devotee will have the darshanam of the Lord in that particular form.

This is not our mental projection, but the Lord himself through his maya Shakti gives darshanam, in a particular form, to the Devotee. And this exercise is called Devatha sakshatkarah.

Thus devotees such as Tyagaraja and Meera have had darshanam of Rama, Krishna, respectively. Now the question is if he wants to have a vision of God as the world itself, how to do it?

Do we have to invite god to come in form of Vishwa rupa; if so, we have not understood the meaning of Vishwa rupa darshanam. Vishwa rupa means I want to see God as world, but I can’t invite him in this form as he is already in this form. What then should I do to obtain darshanam in the form of the world?

There is only one answer. I have to learn to see the world in the form of god. I should learn that this very world is Ishwara, and then Ishwara alone is giving darshanam to me in the form of the world. There is no other method.

Japa mantras are for Rama, Krishna darshanam, not for Vishwa rupa darshanam. If so, how do I train myself? Here again there is only one method; I must assimilate the teaching that God is material cause of the universe and that he alone manifests as the universe. Here, every vision in front of me is a different version of God. I should clearly understand this teaching and with this my perspective changes. This new perspective is called Divya Chakshu or the mystical eye.

Citing an example, some one gives you a laddu and then tells you it is from Tirupati temple; then immediately your perspective changes; you now, consider the laddu a prasadam and you first apply it to your eyes before eating it. The status of prasadam is not physically evident; it comes from understanding that the laddu is from Tirupati. This prasada is adrishtam or divination of laddu through a change in perspective.

This is the idea communicated by Sri Krishna here. He teaches us as to how to look at world as divine; then I will see that god is giving darshanam all the time, to us.

Sri Krishna says it is better to have God’s darshanam 24 hours rather than one, which comes and goes (Aya Ram Gaya Ram). This nithya ishwara sambandha is Vishwa rupa darshanam obtained by a change in perspective through the teaching.

So Vishwa Rupa darshanam is not like Rama, Krishna darshanam. Here you see God everywhere as described in Chapter 11.

Shloka # 1:

अर्जुन उवाच
मदनुग्रहाय परमं गुह्यमध्यात्मसंज्ञितम्।
यत्त्वयोक्तं वचस्तेन मोहोऽयं विगतो मम।।11.1।।

By the words You have spoken, supreme, occult and spiritual, in order to bless me, this delusion of mine has gone.

Here Arjuna addresses Sri Krishna. In the first eight verses, we get an introduction to the topic of Vishva rupa Darshanam and it begins with the Arjuna’s summarization and what he has learned in the previous 10 chapters

In two shlokas he summarizes his learning so far. In shloka # 1 he summarizes chapters 2 through 6 that he says is essence of Jiva rupa varnananam or essential nature of Jiva. Physical body is only a temporary dress, which will be shed at death. Similarly mind is also a temporary instrument that I use in waking and dream states but shed in sleep.

Therefore neither body, am I; nor am I the mind; but I am of the nature of chaitanyam; the consciousness principle. And do you remember the description of consciousness I have given. Consciousness is not a part, product or property of the body; consciousness is an independent entity which pervades and enlivens the body, consciousness is not limited by the boundaries of the body; and consciousness survives even after the fall of the body; that eternal all-pervading consciousness is my nature. Sri Krishna gave a brilliant description of this essential nature of Consciousness, in the 2nd chapter from the 12th shloka, up to shloka No.25.Then he talked about that in the 3rd chapter, in the 4th chapter and in the 5th chapter.

Thus, in Chapter 2, shlokas 12-25, Consciousness is the focus. In Chapters 3, 4, 5, nature of Jiva is presented. Arjuna says I have understood all that very well.

Teaching given by you, purely for blessing me, is for saving me from sorrow (Arjuna Vishada Yoga). They are most sacred words that reveal atma, the reality. They are greatest secret not easily available in the world, from a rare Gyani. The words are spiritual teachings. Through this teaching my delusion is gone.

So you should remember the context of the Gita teaching; Arjuna surrendered to Lord Krishna due to his confusion. On one side, my mind says killing my kith, kin and Guru is not OK, but on the other side I can kill for protection of dharma. Now my doubts are getting cleared regarding confusion as to what is right and wrong. It is confusion about ethics and philosophy. Gita deals with ethical and philosophical confusion.

Normally the veda purva bhaga is meant to resolve

ethical conflict; veda antha bhaga is meant to resolve philosophical confusion. Gita is a unique Shastra, which deals with ethical conflict; as well as philosophical confusion. And therefore Arjuna says; I am getting clearer and clearer.

Shloka # 2:

भवाप्ययौ हि भूतानां श्रुतौ विस्तरशो मया।
त्वत्तः कमलपत्राक्ष माहात्म्यमपि चाव्ययम्।।11.2।।

About the birth and dissolution of beings I have heard from You at length, O Lotus eyed one! As also about your immense grandeur.

Arjunas reverence for Sri Krishna as a teacher is increasing. The word Kamalapatra in shloka means God with Lotus Eyes or eyes like lotus petal that describes God’s inner beauty. This was dealt with in Ishwara swarupa chapters 7-10. Chapter 8 is an odd man out. You defined God as jagat karanam. You defined God as material cause of universe. Out of god alone universe comes, rests and resolves; that is Srishti, Sthiti and Laya Karanam. Everything comes from you alone. If waves are born from ocean and resolve in ocean, then there is no separate wave from ocean.

All the things and beings; this whole creation of things and beings is from you alone, as the very adhara, as the very ashraya. That means what? If waves are born out of the ocean and resolves into the ocean, it means there are no waves separate from the ocean; in fact wave is only an additional name given to the very ocean itself; similarly the whole creation is like a wave in the ocean of God. Shankaracharya beautiful presents in atma Bodha that the entire cosmos of several billions of galaxies is nothing but bubbles; so each galaxy can be compared to a small bubble and all these bubbles of galaxies are rising from you; and there are no bubbles separate from ocean. Similarly there is no creation separate from God or to put in another language; God is in the form of world, I heard this very clearly, and how did you teach, very elaborately. The upanishadic teachers are not detailed; rather they give the srishti and all within a few mantras.

The teaching is also for a madhyamadhikari such as me. In chapter 10 you also revealed your glories, Vibhutis, spread all over the universe. These glories are in exhaustible, the Vishwa rupa mahima. Mahatyam and Vibhuti mean the same. The proof is that my delusion is almost gone. It finally goes away completely in chapter 18.

If delusion is gone what is Arjuna’s next question?

Shloka # 3:

एवमेतद्यथात्थ त्वमात्मानं परमेश्वर।
द्रष्टुमिच्छामि ते रूपमैश्वरं पुरुषोत्तम।।11.3।।

Supreme Lord! Highest Spirit! It is even as You have described Yourself. Yet I would like to see this lordly form of Yours.

In every shloka Arjuna adds some more glories of God.

Parameshwara: means supreme Lord who sustains physical law of creation. It is also name of Shiva.

Purshottama: means supreme Lord. It is also name of Vishnu. It’s philosophical significance is taught in chapter 15 on topic of Nirguna Brahman.

So Vyasa talks of Vishnu and Shiva as equals. So, O Krishna! whatever you are teaching me is perfectly understandable because it is a systematic teaching; if Bhagavan is the cause, and world is effect; the logical consequence that the effect cannot be separate from the cause; therefore the world cannot be separate from God. It is a very logical conclusion; and if the world is non-separate from God; all the non-glories of the world should naturally belong to the Lord; because of that, I have no resistance in accepting that teaching.

Arjuna says, I am able to intellectually understand that whole world is manifestation of God and that everything is holy. So there is no question of dividing world into acceptable and unacceptable. If I could see world as divine then I will not have Dvesha towards anything. However, the reality is that I have Raga and Dvesha. My intellectual and emotional personalities are not harmonized. I need them to be harmonized. What should I do to get it? I would like to have Vishwa rupa darshanam, while I am interacting with the world.

Dayananda swami beautifully says; we do not have a sacred-secular division in our culture. In many other cultures, sacred is obtained in a temple while everything outside the temple is secular. However, for a Hindu or for a vaidhika, there is nothing called secular, everything is sacred; eating is puja; remember we are doing puja daily; eating is puja, brushing the teeth is puja; snanam is puja, everything that I do is puja and this puja occurs only when I always remember that I am in the presence of the Lord as Vishwa rupa. How can I have contact with that rupam; the vishvarupa Ishvara, you should help me. This is Arjuna’s request, the details of which we will see in the next class.

Take away:

The mode of repetition of a Mantra with feeling and in a particular manner, a definite number of times, with right observances, until a fixed number of Japa is reached, in order to obtain substantial benefit out of the Mantra, is called Purascharana.

Vishwa rupa darshanam:

I have to learn to see the world in the form of god. I must assimilate the teaching that God is material cause of the universe and that he alone manifests as the universe as well or we can say God is both matter and spirit. Here, every vision in front of me is a different version of God. I should clearly understand this teaching and with this my perspective changes. This new perspective is called Divya Chakshu or the mystical eye.

With Best Wishes,

Ram Ramaswamy

Greetings All,

Swamiji said we have completed Ch.1 called agama prakranam. It has this name as the Upanishad occurs in this chapter and Vedas, Upanishad is a part of Vedas, are called Agama. Vedas come from god through Guru shishya parampara in a flow. This pipeline is guru shishya parampara. The word Agama also has another meaning; it means Agama Shastra, which are not the Vedas. This agama is different from Vedas but also originates from God and comes through to us in a parampara. Thus Shaiva agama shastra describes how to build Shiva temples; Vishnu Agama shastra, again deals with how to build Vishnu temples, etc, they all deal with temples, worship, and mantras. While we accept agama shastra for purposes of worship and their methods of puja we don’t accept their philosophy. In Mandukya Upanishad, Agama means Vedas themselves. Since Mandukya Upanishad occurs in Chapter 1, hence it is part of Vedas; hence it is called Agama Prakaranam. The Karikas in Ch. 1 are subsidiary to the Upanishad.

Now we are going to enter Ch. 2. called Vaithatya prakaranam that has 38 verses. All 38 verses are karikas. In these 38 karikas Gaudapada analyzes an important word that occurs in Mandukya Upanishad’s mantra # 7. The focus is on the word “Prapancha Upashamam”(PU). This word when compounded in Sanskrit reads as Prapanchoupashamam. This word is analyzed in this chapter. Another crucial word occurring in mantra # 7 is “ Advaitam”. This word is of deep significance. This word is analyzed in Chapter # 3, consisting of 48 Karikas. Now we will find the connection between PU (Prapancha Upashamanam) and Chapter 1. The word is used to define Turiyam, the Prapanchoupashamam, the fourth quarter of Atma. What does it mean? Prapancha means Universe; it also refers to the three fold prapanchas described in padas 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Pada # 1 is Sthula Prapancha or gross universe; Pada # 2 is Sukshma prapancha, subtle universe and the third pada is Karana Prapancha, the causal state.

Whenever we use of the word Prapancha in mandukya Upanishad it means Pada Trayam and they should rise in our minds.

Upashamaha means free from all three prapanchas or the Turiyam. In Turiya Chaitanyam the three padas don’t exist; that is Vishwa, the waker; Taijasa, the dreamer; and Pragya, the sleeper, all are absent in Turiyam. Through this the entire world is negated in Turiyam. This word, Upashamaha, is also called Prapancha Nisheda padam, a world destroying word.

What is significance of world negation, a very important part of Vedanta teaching? What is world negation? What can you negate? Do you negate an existing thing or a non-existing thing? Does negation have an object? Vedanta says both are not possible. An existent thing cannot be negated because it is existent. Can you negate a non-existent thing? Vedanta says, since it does not exist, it need not be negated. So, whatever else is negated should be different from an existing thing or a non-existing thing. Negated thing can’t be under Sat category and negated thing can’t be under Asat category as well. So it should be Sat Asat Vilakshanam. Therefore Vedanta says prapancha, the world negated by Upanishad, is not under Sat nor Asat category; it comes under Sat Asat Vilakshanam category. This comes from mantra # 7.

If world is not under “existing” or not under “non-existing” categories, Vedanta says it comes under “ seemingly existing category”; or “apparently existing category”; or per Vedanta, under “Mithya category”.

There are many examples given by Vedanta such as: Mirage water, that appears as if it is existing but when you get close you realize it is negated. Similarly, with Rope and snake; it is also as though existing, but it is not existing as when I go near it; it is not there. It makes me afraid; hence it is not a part of non-existing category. Now, dream is neither “in existing: nor “non-existing” category. So Prapanchoupashamam is Mithyatvam. Mithya has no good English translation. The closest one can mean is “ unreality”.  Upanishad does not use the word Mithya; it uses word Prapancha.

The chapter is called Vaithatyaprakaranam; Vaithatya means Mithyatvam or unreal or unreality and prakaranam means chapter. So this chapter is unreality-revealing chapter, Unreality of the three padas. What is conclusion arrived at from enquiry is described in chapter # 3.

Conclusion briefly:

Since whole world is Mithya, it should not be with Turiyam. Rope snake can’t be counted to pull up anything. Dream money can’t be counted for buying a house. What ever is mithya should not be counted upon. World is “as good as not there”. There is no first, second and third padas; there is only Turiyam. Hence it is Turiyam. World is and will be experienced, but it is mithya.

Corollary of Prapanchoupashamam is Turiya advaitam. Then comes final question, if Turiyam is advaitam, how do you account for the word Turiyam, the fourth pada? The statement the fourth one is non-dual is not a right one. Vedanta says, ignorant people say it is the fourth; but wise people don’t call it that. Wise people call it Advaitam. So chapter 2 will naturally lead to advaitam. So PU and Advaitam are complementary.

So chapter two’s content is unreality of world. Upanishad has revealed this unreality of world but Gaudapada wants to re-establish the Vedantic teaching. So method of reasoning used must be known. Some idea of it comes from Indian system of logic known as Nyaya shastra and tarka shastra, that are methods of reasoning. The field is called epistemology.

It is used up in this Upanishad.

Method of reasoning: Before using the method you should gather general knowledge, gathered by perception, also known as Vyapti or co-existence. Citing example of co-existence, fire and smoke co-exist. In olden days Yagas were performed and they experienced that where there is smoke there is fire. This is knowledge of coexistence or Vyapti gyanam. Nowadays you can see it for example in cigarette smoke.

Then suppose one day you see at a distance on a hill only the smoke. Fire is not visible to your eye. Here you apply “ where there is smoke, there is fire” logic. You infer there is fire there. It is not perceptual knowledge; it is inferential knowledge. Inference is presented in a particular manner called “Anumana Vakhyana”.

It should have four components per Tarka shastra:

1. Mountain is the paksha or locus about which I make an inference.
2. Mountain has fire; it is called sadhyam or conclusion.
3. Because there is smoke, the indicator, it is also known as Hetuhu or the reason.
4. Drishtantaha: an example, as in a yagashala. Because in yagashala you got Vyapti Gyanam or knowledge for inference.

Gaudapada uses this method of Indian logic to arrive at unreality of world. Gaudapada calls world of existence s jagrat prapancha, experienced only in waking state.

His analysis of jagrat prapancha is as follows:

Pakshaha: Jagrat parapancha is the locus.

Sadhyam: Conclusion reached is , it is unreal or mithya.

Hetuhu: I will give reason later on the sixth karika.

Drishtatantaha: the example is swapna prapancha.

Inference is jagrat prapancha is mithya like the dream world. But there is a problem. If you give swapna parapancha as an example, will all people accept swapna prapancha as unreal?

Citing an example: Someone says, he is intelligent like Einstein. We accept Einstein was intelligent. So example has to be acceptable to teacher and student. Similarly all accepts the fact that Swapna prapancha, dream world is unreal, and then it is fine. Generally most people accept Swapna is unreal. But there are some philosophies that don’t accept this. For them this example will not work; so gaudapada keeps jagrit prapancha aside for now.

He starts with Swapna prapancha and seeks to establish it is unreal. So once swapna prapancha is proved unreal then we can then go to Jagrat prapancha.

So first topic is swapna prapancha mithyatvam in karikas 1,2 and 3. Thereafter using swapna parapancha as an example he establishes jagrat prapancha’s mithyatvam; this is in karikas 4 through 18.

Gaudapada establishes this through Shruti pramanam, Yukti pramanam and Anubhava Pramanam; using all three he establishes Swapna prapancha is mithya. He first uses Yukti, reasoning; then Shruti, scriptures; then anubhava, experience. Thus he establishes Swampa Prapancha mithyatvam.

Take Away:

With Best Wishes,

Ram Ramaswamy

Continuing his teaching, Swamiji summarized the chapter # 10 today. The chapter by its position within the Gita is occupying Madhyama Shatakam. The first six chapters are known as prathama shatakam; the chapters seven through twelve are known as madhyama shatakam and last six chapters are known as charama Shatakam.

In the first shatakam, nature of Jiva is focused upon; in second shatakam nature of Ishwara (God) is the focus and in final shatakam, Jiva Ishwara Swarupa Aikyam is focused upon.

In Madhyama Shatakam focus is on Ishwara sawrupam. Sri Krishna started the topic in chapter # 7 and its culmination occurs in chapter # 12. In all religions they say the God is the creator of the world or the karta. When we learn that God is the maker or creator of this universe, naturally we conceive of the Lord in our own way. So we get the first concept of God based on

this definition; that God is the maker or the creator. When we learn God is creator, we conceive of him in our own way; this is the first concept. Generally when we see a product we don’t see the Creator. When I see a mike, I don’t see its creator. It is same for a desk as well. We usually infer the creator rather than perceive him.

Ishwara is anumita swarupa meaning he is not perceived by me; rather he is inferred by me. So this Ishwara is Paroksha Ishwara and not Pratyaksha Ishwara. This is concept # 2, that God is remote.

So, since I don’t know nature of God I have to imagine him or see him as a Kalpita Rupam. All of you have grandfathers, while some of you have to imagine them, as they are not anymore. So, Ishwara is Anumitha swarupa. If I have to imagine something; I have to imagine him as a human being; remember most animals don’t have sufficient intelligence to conceive a human form. It is an imagined form, as I don’t see God.

Therefore Ishvara has got a nature, which is imagined by me; so Ishvara is anumitha; Ishvara is paroksha; and Ishvara is kalpitha rupa; of an imagined form; if I have to imagine the form of Ishvara.

So, I see God as a very intelligent human being. His intelligence must be higher, since he has created the whole universe. So, I add a few more heads to God’s image to account for the extra intelligence or omniscience. Then you imagine God as all-powerful; how to imagine power; I imagine power with a few more hands. So I imagine a god similar to human being; as male or female; of a particular color, white, dark, etc; to get help I read the scriptures and they confuse me ever further as they describe many forms; Rama form, Shiva form, Vishnu form, Krishna form, etc. They talk of omniscience, omnipotence etc. Scriptures mention many Gods but they also say God is the Creator; now which God is the creator? In some God is white; in some God is black. Reality is that only one form is real while all other forms are Vesham or disguise. Which is real and which is Vesham? Vaishnavas say Vishnu is the original god; Shaiva’s say Shiva is the original god and Devi bhaktas say Devi is the original goddess; all are from my own imagination. Scriptures point out that God darshanam alone gives liberation; if so when will I see Vishnu or Shiva or Devi?

And if you read puranas they declare that some of the devotees had Rama darshanam; Thyagaraja had seen Rama; Meera had seen Krishna. Questions come up in my mind what if I don’t see God, will I get liberation; these types of questions rise in my mind. Sri Krishna wants to transform our very concept of God.

So Krishna wants to transform our concept of God; It is very good to know God as the creator; but if you have to

progress further, in your sadhana; you have to understand further regarding the nature of God. At present; God is inferred for you; God is remote; paroksham for you; and God is kalpitha rupa of an imagined form.

Sri Krishna says, if you see God as only the Creator of the World, your understanding is incomplete, causing confusion about God. Your sadhana’s will also not crystallize. If so, how to enhance my understanding? He says, ask also the question, what is the material used for Creation by God.

Carpenter uses wood for creation. Similarly, if god alone is there in world what is the material he used?

When I say God, who was only one God; without a second thing; this is very important; He was only there; so when God alone is there to create the world; what is the material out of which God created. Unless you ask this question and find out the answer, your concept of God will be immature; and vulnerable to logical attack;  And Sri Krishna says when you ask the question what is the material out of which God made; the answer is that God has to find the material also in himself, because there is no other second material. God is not only the creator, God is also the material part and therefore God has two aspects; one is the chetana aspect and the other is the achetana aspect. The intelligence principle also must be God; the raw material principle also must be God alone; thus God becomes a mixture of chetana achetana tatvam. This we also saw in the seventh chapter as para apara prakrti. He is matter and spirit put together – is God; this is a very important breakthrough in the Vedic teaching.

Once I know God is material as well then we have some important corollaries coming out of it.

1. The material cause is never away from product; thus gold is not away from an ornament so also Karanam is not away from Karyam.
2. Material cause is perceived, not inferred in product.

Therefore Ishvara is never an inferred object; a remote object; Ishvara is a perceived object; Ishvara is never remote. My concept drastically changes; Ishvara is pratyaksha siddhaha.

What is form of this Ishwara? What is the form of Gold? All ornamental forms visible to us belong to gold alone. Bangle form of gold is a perceived form not an imagined one. All forms of products are forms of God alone, always available to us. So Ishwara is pratyaksham to all of us at all times.

Sri Krishna says striving for Ishwara darshanam is due to our incomplete understanding of Ishwara. Ishwara is the creator plus the material cause; this is the correct understanding. I am always having Ishwara darshanam. In bangle, chain, and ring, in all of them, I see gold. So God let me not forget that entire creation is your manifestation alone. This darshanam is called Vishwa rupa or Aneka Rupa darshanam. In this darshanam whatever glories I see, they remind me of God alone. So he sees Ishwara, God, in everything. Right now we are looking for a miracle to see God; however Sri Krishna says, every event in creation is god’s miracle or Vibhuti. This transforms my perception of world. I see the apparent beauty of the ornament but I also remember it is all gold. This is the transformation he brings in us.

First eleven shlokas:

God is creator and material cause of creation. It gave example of spider that finds raw material within itself and also creates the web from it. Thus spider is the cause of creation of the web.

Similarly Ishvara is both the para prakrti, the intelligent cause and the apara prakrti, the material cause and in Sanskrit we use the technical word abhinna nimitta upadana karanam; and Sri Krishna said, not only the external world is my manifestation; also the internal world of thoughts are my manifestation only; Just as during the dream my own mind manifests as the chara achara svapna prapancha; what is the mountain; my own mind is the mountain; that means I am the mountain; and if somebody is climbing the mountain, I am the climber also, and while climbing the mountain, I am the drinker also; I am the water also; Just as I myself manifest as everything in the dream world; similarly the Lord himself is both bahya and anthara. Similarly, god alone manifests in everything in universe. Such a devotee who sees this manifestation of God in everything is a Vishwarupa Bhakta.

So when the virat bhaktha looks at any head, he looks at the head of everyone as the head of the Lord only. All heads are Lord’s heads; all hands are Lord’s hands; so

do not imagine that there is a Vishnu standing there with many heads; all the heads that I see belong to the Lord; all the hands belong to the Lord; all the legs belong to the Lord; and therefore anyone I see, my method of greeting is: namaha te; It means your superficial form is different from mine, but behind your form is Ishvara; behind my form is Ishvara; forms are many, Ishvara is one alone. Therefore I say Namaskaram to everyone whatever be the character of the person; knowing that the one behind is Ishvara;

So, whatever experiences come your way, don’t resist, just accept the good and bad.

Then Sri Krishna says those who remain in Vishwarupa bhakti ultimately come to Nirguna rupa Ishwara or Arupa Ishwara. Arupa Ishwara is beyond all forms. Anekarupa is incomplete, as time and space are within it; it is in time space modification.

And why should we come to arupa Isvara; why can’t we stop at aneka rupa Ishvara; aneka rupa Ishvara is incomplete because; wherever forms are there, there, time and space also comes. Therefore vishva rupa Ishvara is also within time, space and modification; and therefore Sri Krishna says: I will take you beyond name and form and I will take you to Arupa Ishvara; which is beyond desa kala; which is called sat chid ananda svarupam.

So between eka rupa Ishvara (means God as a person);  and arupa Ishvara; we all require an intermediary stage; known as aneka rupa Ishvara; we have to learn to appreciate. I have to learn to see the creation as God. And only when I see creation as God; raga and dvesha will become feeble and weak; Otherwise there will be strong raga dvesha; and with strong raga dvesha; one can never come to nirguna Ishvara; And therefore

to neutralise raga dvesha; we have to see everything as the manifestation of the Lord;if so, how can I be attached to something; And how can I be averse to something; how can I reject something; Nothing is rejectible in the creation and there is nothing I hate.

It does not mean that if there is a cobra, you should take the cobra in hand; you can keep a safe distance; but mentally I accept that too is an integral part of the creation; So, mentally I do not reject anything or hate anything.

Shloka’s # 12- 18:

Here we get Arjuna’s request for vishvarupa Ishvara varnanam; and the vishvarupa Ishvara vibhuthi varnanam; vibhuthi means the glory; And why should Arjuna asks for the glories of vishvarupa Ishvara; Arjuna himself gives the logic also; I cannot visualize the vishva rupa with my mind because the vishva rupa Ishvara is too vast for me to conceive of. I have got a limited mind and sense organs; that if I see in this direction, I cannot see what is here.

Citing an example, if I have to worship India as my motherland, one invents a symbol and on that symbol or form, you invoke the entire country and salute it. So, Arjuna wants some symbol like a Shaligramam alambanam to invoke and meditate upon.

Shloka 19- 41:

Sri Krishna accepts and answers Arjuna’s request in shlokas 19 through 41.

Sri Krishna now enumerates his Vibhutis. He says, any glorius thing in creation is my Vibhuti alone. Sun, fire, Bhumi are all examples of this. Even the organs of my body are examples of my vibhuti.

And why, take your own body, any organ is a glory of Lord; we can never create any organ; to maintain them we are struggling with great difficulty; eye is a glory; so meditate upon your eye as Ishvara; in which culture can you see that; meditation upon your very eye as God; because of the glory of the eye; The more you think, the more wonderful it is.

Sri Krishna enumerates Vibhutis from scriptures and some from creation itself.

Two important Vibhutis mentioned by Sri Krishna are:

First: the life principle or Consciousness. The sentiency in body is my vibhuti; that Chaitanyam is my greatest glory, says Sri Krishna.

Second:  And then at the end Krishna says; not only consciousness is my glory; in fact the very existence of the world really does not belong to the world, it is lent by Me. Like the very existence of the ornament does not belong to the ornament; it belongs to gold; how do you prove; remove the gold and try to keep the ornament. So when you say ornament is the very existence it comes from gold; when you say desk is: the existence comes from the wood; when you say world is: the existence come from the basic stuff of the creation called Ishvara. Thus starting with the chit, Sri Krishna concludes with sat; all are my glories; but the problem is Chit and Sat are both nirguna svarupam; Meditating on them is difficult. So take any saguna swarupam and worship

O Arjuna, I am in creation, also the Creation is in Me. All ornaments are Nama and Rupa resting in gold. Creation is just a bunch of namas and rupas or forms resting in the fundamental cause, Me.

If you are not satisfied with my list of glories, you can add your own items. Anything wonderful you see in life is My glory; anything powerful you see is My glory. Furthermore, these glories are inexhaustible.

One Bhakta said, suppose Saraswati Devi decides to write all of God’s glories; she has hundreds of pens from heavenly trees; using surface of earth as a letter pad; using the ocean as ink; and the Himalaya as the weight of ink. She starts writing; even if she keeps writing all the time, still Saraswati Devi cannot exhaust all my glories. So, I have given you some samples of my glories.

And having said that I am in the world in the beginning, Sri Krishna concluded saying I am not in the world, rather the world is in Me; and this last verse becomes the seed for vishva rupa darshana yoga; So when we say God is in the world; it is called Vibhuthi yoga; when you say that world is in God; that is called visvarupa darshana yoga; both we must be able to appreciate. See the water in waves; that is also an appreciation. See all the waves in the water; that is also another form of appreciation. And since the glories of the Lord have been talked about in this chapter, this chapter gets the title Vibhuthi yoga, this chapter deals with Ishvara’s mahima.

Take away:

In the first shatakam, nature of Jiva is focused upon; in second shatakam nature of Ishwara (God) is the focus and in final shatakam, Jiva Ishwara Swarupa Aikyam is focused upon.

He is matter and spirit put together – is God; This is a very important breakthrough in the Vedic teaching.

Greeting Namaste explained: namaha te; I bow to you. It means your superficial form is different from mine, but behind your form is Ishvara; behind my form is Ishvara; forms are many, Ishvara is one alone.

To neutralize raga dvesha; we have to see everything as the manifestation of the Lord; this way we get over likes and dislikes.

With Best Wishes,

Ram Ramaswamy

Swamiji gave his summary of chapter 1 also known as Agama Prakaranam, today. In introduction to this Upanishad he had previously indicated that it has four chapters in it.

The first chapter is called agamaprakaranam. This chapter contains the entire Upanishad and 29 karikas. The second chapter is called Vaitathyaprakaranam containing 38 karikas on the mithya nature of the universe. The third chapter is titled Advaitaprakaranam containing 48 karikas dealing with the non-dual nature of atma. The fourth chapter is called Alatashantiprakaranam containing 100 karikas, which clear all the possible objections to the teaching contained in the Upanishad.

Of the four chapters the first one, agama prakaranam, consists of 12 mantras of the Upanishad and the 29 Karikas written by Gaudapada. The 12 mantras belong to Atharvana Veda and are supposed be revelations by God himself. Shankaracharya’s guru’s guru, Gaudapada, however, wrote Karikas. Karika means a commentary in verse. Among the 12 mantras and 29 karikas, prominence is given to the 12 mantras since they are from Upanishad and it is the focus of chapter 1 and is of importance from a Vedic perspective. Chapters 2, 3 and 4 are all about Karikas.

Gist of the Upanishad portion or Mantras of Chapter 1:

Mandukya Upanishad was revealed through Manduka Rishi in the Atharvana Veda.

The first two mantras introduce two types of Vicharas:

1) Chatushpada Atma Vichara or the four facets of Self.

2) Second enquiry is Chatur matra Omkara Vichara. It has four sounds of Omkara.

Both the Atma Vichara and Omkara Vichara are performed to arrive at the absolute reality.

Mantras # 3 through # 7 deal with Chatushpada Atma Vichara.  The essence of these mantras is that they are talking about the four aspects of “I” the Atma.

Mantras # 8 through # 12 deal with Chatur matra Omkara Vichara.

Discussing Mantras # 3- # 7, the following points were made:

1. The first I, is obtained in Waking state and is the “Waker I”. I in waking state is endowed with various attributes such as weight, size, individuality etc. This is the “attributed I” in jagrit avastha. Here, I comes in contact with external world. It is a finite and limited I. This I is described in mantra # 3. This I also goes by the names of Vishwa and Virat.
2. The second I is obtained in dream state or the dreamer I. I functions through the projected dream body; the sukhma shariram with attributes determined by dream body. The second and Saguna I, is in the dream state. This I is also finite and limited. This I is also called Taijasa and Hiranyagarbha.
3. The third I is obtained in sleep state. Here, I am not in waking or dream body; here body is in resolved condition. Sleeper I is also an “attributed I”. In sleep all attributes are in dormant state or in their potential state. Thus, the “Father I” during the waking and dream states is in a dormant state here. All attributes are dormant as well. It is also a state that is limited and finite. Here limitations are also in dormant condition.  The sleeper I is called Pragya and Ishwara. These are technical names given by Upanishad. This is addressed in mantras # 5 and # 6.
4. My fourth aspect is my real nature, the core nature, also known as Turiyam or Sakshi I. Thus, witness I is free from all attributes. It is the “attribute-less I” or nirguna I. It is described in the most important mantra # 7. This I is attribute-less and limitless. Thus, for every one of our assertions there are many negations. When I say, I am man; I am also saying I am not woman; not an animal; not a pencil etc; all negations. For one assertion there are many negations. Thus, attributes limit an object, while Turiyam is the limitless I. This is the essential I; it is Shantam; Shivam (ananda) and immortality; all three are possible only in Turiyam. So, if you want Shantam, Shivam and Immortality you have to know Turiyam for liberation.

How can I know Turiyam?

I can know Saguna I in waking state. I can know Saguna I in dream sate; I can know saguna I in Sleep state, if so, in which state can I know nirguna I or Turiyam I?

If the three associations result in Vishva, Taijasa and Prajna, what is the Turiyam? What association does

Turiyam have? Turiyam is the name of the atma when it is dissociated from all the three states. I myself,

as consciousness principle, am Turiyam. How do I become Turiyam?

Now mantra # 7 does not talk of a fourth state at all; so where is nirguna I available? The Upanishad says, the nirguna I has to be discovered through the “attributed I” or Saguna I.

Turiyam is available in Vishwa, Taijasa and Pragya states. So there is no need for a fourth state. So, remain in jagrat avastha, analyze and gain Turiyam.

If so, how do I arrive at nirguna I from Saguna I?

Swamiji says it is quiet simple, Saguna I minus gunas gives you nirguna I.

Thus, “Father I” minus fatherhood equals nirguna I. In this manner negate all attributes about yourself and it takes you to Turiyam I.

How do I remove the attributes?

Upanishad says you need not remove attributes at all. I, the consciousness, can never be associated with attributes; just as the light on the hand, does not take on the impurities of the body because light is asangaha. Similarly, I, the consciousness, am also free of attributes. Attributed I does not exist in reality. My thought that I have attributes was born out of my misconceptions. I have to know that I am attribute-less at all times. Citing an example, to illustrate the point, you see a movie on the screen and there you see the very dirty Cuvam River. You want to purify the screen. Swamiji says the screen is pure even when the dirty Cuvam is shown on screen. Screen is not touched by the movie. Therefore, I am the screen-like consciousness; I just have to know that I am free of attributes and knowledge removes these attributes. When I add attributes to waking state, I am Vishwa; when I, add attributes to dream state, I am Taijasa; and when I add attributes to sleep state, I am Pragya. However, when I remove these attributes from any or all of the three sattes, it is Turiyam.

Vishwa minus waking state attributes equals Turiyam.

Taijasa minus dream state attributes equals Turiyam.

Pragya minus sleep state attributes equals Turiyam.

So, Turiyam is obtained through knowledge. This knowledge of Turiyam is described in mantra # 7.

With this chatushpada Atma Vichara is over.

Mantras # 8 through # 12:

Chaturmatra Omkara Vichara is described. Omakra consists of A U M and the Silence that follows known as Amatra.

A is described in mantra # 9.

U is described in mantra # 10.

M is described in mantra # 11 and

Amatra is described in mantra # 12.

Having introduced each mantra, they can be equated to each Pada.

Thus:

A equates to Virat

U equates to Hirayagarbha

M equates to Ishwara

Amatra equates to Turiya atma.

Having equated one has to begin with upasana. First upasana is meditating on Virat in Akara; then meditating on Taijasa on U kara; and then meditating on Ishwara on M kara. To support meditation, common features were mentioned. They are:

Akara equation with Virat is based on pervasiveness and primacy both also called Apte and adimatvat, respectively.

Ukara equation with Hiranyagarbha is based on superiority and middleness; both also called Utkarsha and Ubhayata respectively.

Mkara and Ishvara equation is based on being similar to a measure and the ground of dissolution, both also called Mithi and Apithi respectively.

Remembering the common features one has to perform each upasana. It will help cleanse the mind. The upasana also provides material benefits. How to perform the upasana has not been described.

Rather, we have to meditate on Omkara and dissolve A into U; U into M; and M into silence and reach the silence or consciousness.

How to perform this? Example of this resolution was discussed as resolving Bangle, Chain and Ring in gold.

How to arrive at gold?

Look at bangle and look there for an object called bangle. You will observe that there is no substance called bangle; there is only gold. You must be convinced that there is no Bangle. Once bangle, the substance has been negated, the word bangle has no more relevance. Without an object where is the need for a word to describe it. This is known as Padartha nisheda and pada nisheda. Thus Virat nisheda is Akara nisheda.

Then come to Chain. Going through same process as with bangle, we realize that there is no object called chain as such the word chain is also negated. Chain padartha is negated; Hiranyagarbha is negated; U kara is also negated.

Then coming to Ring and going through same process as for bangle we realize there is no substance called ring as such and there is no need for word called ring Thus, ring padartha is negated; Ishwara is negated; Makara is negated.

A  (Virat), U (Hiranyagarbha), M (Pragya) all three are saguna Atma.

Pada-padartha division exists only in empirical field where time, space and attributes are there. It exists in saguna field alone. Once you negate everything you will feel blankness. Buddhists call it Shunyam or void. Mandukya says, for “ nothing remains”, you still need a witness of nothingness, known as Shunya Shakshi or Chaitanyam or as per Vedanta, Consciousness. This consciousness illumines the presence or absence of everything. This was pointed out in mantra # 12. Now the Upanishad is over. Benefit of this knowledge is that: whoever knows this, can claim, I am Turiyam.

Karikas:

Gaudapada talks of common and uncommon features of padas.

1. Pragya, the I in sleep state, is associated with Ignorance (I).
2. Vishwa and Taijasa, both in jagrat and swapna avastha are associated with Ignorance (I) and Error (E).
3. Turiyam is associated with none of them.

Ignorance means, not knowing “ I am limitless”.

Error means the notion that “I am limited.”

Gaudapada uses different terms for Ignorance and Error.

Thus, agyanam, agrahanam, nidra, and karanam are the four names for ignorance. Ankuraha, anyathagrahanam, svapna and karyam are the four names for misconception or error.

Another topic is position of each pada. Gaudapada describes the Sthana Trayam as:

Vishwa is in right eye.

Taijasa is in mind

Pragya is in Hiranyagarbha.

Then he describes Bhoga Trayam as follows:

Vishwa has experience of gross world.

Taijasa has experience of inner world.

Pragya has experience of ananda or Sushupti.

The last topic is Omkara dhyanam. Gaudapada uses word Pranava to describe Omkara. In word Pranava, Pra means perfect; while navaha means, so named.

So pranva means ideal name, that is Om, which stands for Brahman. Why is Om ideal name for Brahman? Other names reveal saguna or nirguna aspects only once. Om is ideal as it reveals both Saguna and Nirguna Brahman.

Sound part of Om reveals Saguna Brahman. Silence between two Omkara’s reveals nirguna Brahman. Saguna Brahman has three parts, Virat, Hiranyagarbha and Ishwara. Om also has three divisions, A U M. So every aspect of Brahman is revealed in OM, hence it is the Uttama Nama.

One has to practice Omkara dhyanam. In beginning focus on sound part, that also includes Virat, Hiranyagarbha and Ishwara. This is called Aparam Brahman.

Once you have advanced in meditation, move to silence and expand on it. Chant Om and dwell on silence. In silence reflect on teaching. Silence is Amatra; it is not blankness; it is absence of everything except the I, who am aware of the silence. The silence is Nirguna, Ananta etc. I have to see this as my swarupam. So it becomes swarupa dhyanam, which leads us to liberation. This concludes the 29 Karikas as well.

With Best Wishes,

Ram Ramaswamy

Shloka # 35:

बृहत्साम तथा साम्नां गायत्री छन्दसामहम्।
मासानां मार्गशीर्षोऽहमृतूनां कुसुमाकरः।।10.35।।

I am also the Brhat-sama of the Sama (-mantras); of the metres, Gayatri. Of the months I am Marga-sirsa, and among seasons, spring.

Continuing his teaching, Swamiji said, Sri Krishna, enumerating the glories of Ishwara in shloka # 35 said, “ I am Sama among Vedas; I am Gayathri among mantras.” Gayathri is a representative of Vedas. Veda is also called Brahman. That is why Gayathri Upadesha is called Brahmupadesha or Veda Upadesha. In Chandogya Upanishad, Gayathri is presented as Brahman for meditation. Brahma sutra also analyzed it, as well. The mantra occurs in Rg, Yajur and Sama Vedas, as well.

Among all months I am the period between Dec 15- Jan 15, known as Margashirsha. This month is considered important because at that time land is full of crops, grains are plentiful, and prosperity on earth is high. Other commentators say that it is the dawn of the Devatas. Devatas one day equates to one year of human beings.  The time before start of such a day is called Brahma Muhurtha. Brahma Muhurtha is a satvic period. Hence that month is important for spiritual practices.

Among six seasons I am Vasantha. The six seasons are: vasantha, varsha, sharat, hemantha, shishira and grishma. Vasantha Ritu is the period when flowers blossom and people are happy; the most pleasant season, when I am Kusumakaraha, meaning I am the abundance of flowers.

Shloka # 36:

द्यूतं छलयतामस्मि तेजस्तेजस्विनामहम्।
जयोऽस्मि व्यवसायोऽस्मि सत्त्वं सत्त्ववतामहम्।।10.36।।

Of tricksters I am the game of dice; of the vigorous I am vigor; I am victory, I am resolution; of the virtuous, I am virtue.

Dhyutam:

Among those activities that rob us of our discriminative powers, I am gambling. Gambling makes one addicted. Kalidevata resides in several places and deludes human minds says, Bhagavan. In entire Mahabharata the message is that if we are not careful, gambling can suck us down. Dharmaputra got hooked on it and lost his sense of propriety and lost his wife and brothers. He knew Dharma and yet lost his balance. In our younger days parents used to tell us not to play cards because of this.

Tejas:

I am internal brilliance amongst all brilliant people. Brilliance is one who resists temptations. It is easier to say no the first time as it becomes more difficult later. Therefore I am that brilliant discrimination that resists temptations.

Satva:

I am Satva guna among Satvic people.  I am the satva guna, which represents spiritual inclination; rajo guna represents materialistic inclination; Artha-kama inclination is caused by rajo guna; Dharma moksha inclination is caused by satva guna; and tamo guna obstructs our inclination for both of them; tamo guna makes a person lazy with neither materialistic inclination, nor spiritual inclination.

Scriptures say Tamasic person must cultivate material desires and then go to Spiritual desires. That spiritual desire is Satva Guna.

Vyavasayaha: means prayatna or effort. This effort is to fulfill spiritual desires. Thus Pancha Maha Yagna is important for Chitta Shuddhi. It is industry as a character of mind where I will lead one to victory or success.

Thus, Satva Guna triggers Vyavsayaha victory. I am That. If we get spiritual success we should not be arrogant as even that is due to the Lord. Pull of free will should be backed by Ishwara anugraha.

Shloka # 37:

वृष्णीनां वासुदेवोऽस्मि पाण्डवानां धनंजयः।
मुनीनामप्यहं व्यासः कवीनामुशना कविः।।10.37।।

Among members of the Vrsni clan, I am Vasudeva; among pandavas, I am Arjuna. Among the contemplative sages, I am Vyasa; among the seers, I am seer Usnaha.

Among descendants of Vrishni’s (Yadava Vamsha) I am Vasudeva. One of Sri Krishna’s names is Varshneya.

Why does he claim he is greatest here; because Sri Krishna is an avatara of God. Why is Sri Krishna most glorious among avataras? In Sri Krishna avatara alone God performs as a liberating Acharya, as Jagat Guru. Therefore Sri Krishna’s teaching of the Bhagavat Gita is one of the three main textbooks of Vedanta shastra. These three books are known as Prasthana Trayam. First one, the Upanishads, is called the shruti prasthana; the second one is bhagavad Gita called the smrti prasthanam; and the third one is brahma sutras, the nyaya prasthanam.

The Gita, even now is fresh and valid; it is not an obsolete textbook; rather it is a valid teaching; and since Krishna is the Gitacharya, he is the greatest one.

Among Pandavas I am Arjuna himself. Why is Arjuna the greatest and not Dharmaputra? If Gita is the grestest shastra, Arjuna was the first receiver of this greatest teaching. He got teaching from Narayana himself.  Why was Arjuna chosen for giving Gita teaching? Several reasons are given but most obvious one is that Arjuna asked Sri Krishna for the teaching.

Among Muni’s, I am Vyasa Acharya. Why so? Sri Krishna is the greatest Acharya as he is a brahma vidya acharya. Among prastahna Trayam one contribution is by Sri Krishna and other of the Brahma sutra is by Vyasa. Vyasa, within Mahabharata, did even the compilation of Gita. He contributed to both Gita and Brahma sutra. During amaniavattam tarpanam there is a prayer offered to Krishnadvaipayana or Vyasa. Therefore, among Rishis, I am Vyasa. He got name Vyasa as he compiled the Vedas as well. He called four disciples and asked for their assistance. Vyasa’s original name was Krishnadvaipayana; he was also called Vedavyasa and thus became known as Vyasa.

Among great seers, who can see all three kalas, I am Shukracharya; or Usana, the asura guru. Here Kavi does not mean a poet rather he is a Kranta darshi or one with ESP; who sees beyond sense organs.

Shloka # 38:

दण्डो दमयतामस्मि नीतिरस्मि जिगीषताम्।
मौनं चैवास्मि गुह्यानां ज्ञानं ज्ञानवतामहम्।।10.38।।

Of those who chastise, I am the rod; of those who seek victory, I am the tactics. Of secrets, I am the silence, and of the learned, I am knowledge.

Among disciplinarians or orderliness, I am Danda, the rod of punishment. The process of discipline can include: Requesting, education and punishment. Sri Krishna says generally people are immature and gross; and therefore education, good words, etc. do not work; generally, what works is, dandah or punishment.

Here Sama, Dana, Bheda and Dandam come to mind. Danda gives instantaneous results. Nowadays corporate punishment is prohibited in schools.

Among causes of victory, among victors I am Nitihi or diplomacy. It leads to success.

Among secrets, I am, maunam. Maunam also represents Brahman. In silence there is nothing but Consciousness. In Mandukya Upanishad it says, nothingness is witnessed by consciousness.

Among or in wise people, I am wisdom. When you perform namaskrara to a gyani, you are doing namaskara to his Gyanam or God himself.

Shloka # 39:

यच्चापि सर्वभूतानां बीजं तदहमर्जुन।
न तदस्ति विना यत्स्यान्मया भूतं चराचरम्।।10.39।।

And that which is seed of all beings, I am, Arjuna! That which is without Me, mobile or stationary, exists not.

Here Sri Krishna concludes enumeration of his glories. He says I am the seed or material cause of creation. Clay is material cause of all earthenware; gold is material cause of all ornaments; wood is material cause of all furniture etc. Material cause expresses as effect or existence. When I say an ornament “is”, the “Is” ness belongs to Gold alone; while ornament itself is just a nama and rupa. Remove gold from ornament, it loses its existence.

Therefore when you say wall is: Isness belongs to me; when you say: fan is: Isness belongs to me; In short, I am the Sat in the creation; I am existence in every being. Therefore, there is nothing in creation, moving or stationary that exists, without my blessing. Who is God? Is ness is the God; all others are nama rupa only.  Thus he started with chit, ended with sat; chit and sat are nirguna Ishvara vibhuthi; and all others are saguna Ishvara vibhuthi; vibhuthi means mahima.

Shloka # 40:

नान्तोऽस्ति मम दिव्यानां विभूतीनां परंतप।
एष तूद्देशतः प्रोक्तो विभूतेर्विस्तरो मया।।10.40।।

Scourge of foes! There is no limit to My divine powers. What has been stated by Me is only illustrative of the extent of that puissance (power).

Here Sri Krishna says, Arjuna, I have stopped enumerating my glories. If I have to list all of them it is inexhaustible. My intention is to give a sample of glories. My divine glories have no end. Why then enumerate them? This enumeration is only a random sample of my glories. How to extend this list? Sri Krishna says, I will tell you how to do it by yourself.

Shloka # 41:

यद्यद्विभूतिमत्सत्त्वं श्रीमदूर्जितमेव वा।
तत्तदेवावगच्छ त्वं मम तेजोंऽशसंभवम्।।10.41।।

Whatever being has power, glory, or energy, know (each of them) to be born of a part of My splendor.

Sri Krishna says you can make your own list. When you see creation in daily life, if you see something that is wonderful (natural or artificial) that makes you awe struck or rich or abundant or powerful, like energy of sun; anything beautiful, when you see it, remember Me. When you see such a thing you prostate and hand it over to temple. Powerful, rich, etc are all an infinitesimal part of god’s glory; that is why we worship nature.

Shloka # 42:

अथवा बहुनैतेन किं ज्ञातेन तवार्जुन।
विष्टभ्याहमिदं कृत्स्नमेकांशेन स्थितो जगत्।।10.42।।

O Arjuna! Wherefore should you know so much of all these? Encompassing this entire world by a fragment of My power, do I abide, eternally.

Sri Krishna says, Arjuna! you can look at all this from a different perspective as well. Thus water being present in every wave; bubble or drop is one way of looking at water. Really speaking, all waves, bubbles and drops are all in water.

In a similar manner the whole creation is in Me. I remain supporting this creation or another way of seeing it is, that this entire creation is in Me.

Space is not within this hall; that is not the correct statement; rather all the Halls are in space. Similarly Bhagavan is not in the living beings; but all living beings are in Bhagavan; and that too they do not occupy the whole Bhagavan; I am only sustaining them; in one corner of Me; So the whole cosmos is only occupying a part of Me; so how big I am; so the whole cosmos is like a bubble in Me; the ocean; So with this Krishna concludes the description of His glories.

Take away:

Tamo guna makes a person lazy with neither materialistic inclination, nor spiritual inclination.

A tamasic person must cultivate material desires and then go on to spiritual desires. That spiritual desire is Satva Guna.

With Best Wishes,

Ram Ramaswamy

Shloka # 33:

अक्षराणामकारोऽस्मि द्वन्द्वः सामासिकस्य च।
अहमेवाक्षयः कालो धाताऽहं विश्वतोमुखः।।10.33।।

Aksaranam, of the letters; I am the akarah, letter a. Samasikasya, of the group of compound words, I am the compund (called) Dvandva. Besides, aham eva, I Myself; am the aksayah, infinite, endless; kalah, time, well known as ‘moment’ etc.; or, I am the supreme God who is Kala (Time, the measurer) even of time. I am the dhata, Dispenser, the dispenser of the fruits of actions of the whole world, visvatomukhah, with faces everywhere.

Akshara:

Continuing his teaching, Swamiji said, we are seeing Sri Krishna continue enumeration of the glories of Ishwara. In Shloka # 33, he said that among Aksharas I am Aa. Sarasvati Devi is in the form of Alphabetic letters. Even among all letters Aa is most sacred. It is sacred because it is a basic letter that emerges from our mouth without doing anything to the mouth. Thus sounds such as E, U come about by some modification to the mouth whereas Aa is an effortless sound of the mouth. Akara is also a flexible sound that can be modified into other alphabets. Hence Aa kara is considered Karana aksharam, causal sound, while all other alphabets are considered Karya Aksharam, the effect. Vedas say that A Kara manifests as all other letters. It says all letters are a modification of Aa. In our tradition every alphabet has a presiding deity. The presiding deity of Aa is Brahmaji, the Creator of the world. Since Aa is the cause of all letters, Sri Krishna says, I am letter Aa.

Samasha:  Are compound words that are properly arranged. By compound words I save prepositions. Citing an example, in the sentence, I bought puja material really means I bought material for puja. Puja material is thus a compound word. Similarly, the sentence, I went to Shiva temple, really means I went to a temple where Shiva is worshipped. Similarly, Ganga water really means water from Ganga.

And how do you know what preposition is to be used; you know it from the context thus Ganga water means water from Ganga; Pooja material means material for pooja. And Adayar class does not mean classes

From Adayar rather it means classes conducted in Adayar. So in which place, which preposition is to be used, we get to know from the context.

Similarly, when I say I went to Birla Mandir, what I really mean is that I went to a temple built by Birla, which is the context.

This compound formation is very systematic. Four basic compounds are enumerated and these four are later expanded into 7 types of compound, then these types of compounds are further expanded into 35 types of compounds; Thus we have many compounds called samasaha; and these group of compounds are called

Saamasikam. Samasikam means samasanam samuham; the group of compound are:

tatpurusha samas; bahuvrihi samasa; karmadharaya samas; Dvigu samas; dvandva samas; avyayibhaava samas.  In Sanskrit we can compound words, which can contain tens of words joined together.  Thus, Kalidasa’s Shyamala Dandakam has many samasaha words. Therefore, among compounds I am Dvanda samasaha, says, Sri Krishna.

Kala Tatvam:

Sri Krishna says I am Kala Tatvam that puts an end to everything however kala itself has no end, meaning it is inexhaustible time. Even in pralaya, kala continues into the next creation. And because of the continuity of kala

alone, the next cycle of shristi is possible. Therefore Sri Krishna says I am the kala tatvam, which is inexhaustible.

Dhata: means karma phala dhata. One who gives appropriate karmas at right place, at right time, to right person, for all beings in the Universe. Sri Krishna says I am Karma phala dhata.

Vishvatomukhah

He also says, my face is turned in all directions, so I can see everywhere.

Shloka # 34:

मृत्युः सर्वहरश्चाहमुद्भवश्च भविष्यताम्।
कीर्तिः श्रीर्वाक्च नारीणां स्मृतिर्मेधा धृतिः क्षमा।।10.34।।

And I am Death, the destroyer of all; and the prosperity of those destined to be prosperous. Of the feminine (I am) fame, beauty, speech, memory, intelligence, fortitude and forbearance.

Mrtyu:

I am greatest robber, Kala, who will take away everything from a jiva. We can’t take anything at time of death. What you can carry at death is only one’s papam and punyam. Thus, death, or Yama, takes everything from you.

Citing a story, a man had a lot of property. He wanted to give it away. He challenged that one has to run as far as possible from sunrise to sun set, the distance, in land, covered would be given as a gift to runner. One person took the challenge and ran; as he came to closer to sunset, he wanted to get more distance and ran the last few minutes very hard and in doing so, he collapsed and died. So, what happened to all the land he acquired?

So, I am destroyer, samhara tatvam, Says Sri Krishna.

Udbhava:

I am Udbhava, meaning source of future prosperity or wealth. The resource or source of all the future prosperity or future wealth; because if you have to

produce anything in future, they all must be there potentially; we can never generate anything if that provision is not there and Sri Krishna says that provision is myself.

Kirti, Sri, Nari, Smriti, Medha:

Female Devatas such as Mahalaxmi, goddess of wealth; Sarawati, goddess of knowledge and Parwati, Goddess of Shakti are called adhishtana devatas. Why do we have these devatas? Some universal laws govern everything. Such laws govern even our organs. These laws function because of an intelligent principle. For every government law too there is an officer required to maintain it. Any law is governed by an intelligent principle.

Thus it flows as follows: Higher Intelligence> Laws> Object.

Adhishatna devatas include Bhumi devata, alphabet devata etc are all aspects of Ishwara or God or Total intelligence.

So God for Kirti, name and fame, is called Kirti devata. Similarly we have Vak devata, Smriti devata, and Medha devata. Vedas have prayers for all such Devatas, thus there is a medha suktam.

Dhriti: means Perseverance or will power or continued effort despite failures. It is the resilience like a rubber ball that bounces back. There are several types of people. One who upon failing renounces every thing. The other type is a person, who upon failing, keeps trying again and again.

I am Dhriti says Sri Krishna.

Medha:

Medha means intelligence principle; we do not know why some brains are very intelligent and others not. So there are again laws governing this and that devatha is called medha devatha; and we have got Vedic prayers directed to medha such as  medha sukhtam; a special prayer for medha devi;

Kshama: means Patience or the capacity to wait. It is often tested at traffic stops where we have to wait. I am Kshama says, Sri Krishna.

Shloka # 35:

बृहत्साम तथा साम्नां गायत्री छन्दसामहम्।
मासानां मार्गशीर्षोऽहमृतूनां कुसुमाकरः।।10.35।।

I am also the Brhat-sama of the Sama (-mantras); of the metres, Gayatri. Of the months I am Marga-sirsa, and among seasons, spring.

Sama Mantra:

Among sama mantras, I am Brihat Sama, a mantra, a very suspicious one, glorifying the Lord. This mantra praises God; hence it is known as Brihat or infinite one. I am Brihat Sama mantra, says Sri Krishna.

Gayathri Mantra:

I am gayathri mantra among all Veda mantras, says Sri Krishna. The word Chandas has two meanings; one is it is a Vedic meter and second one is, it is a Vedic mantra as well. Chandas provides rules of poetry. There are many chandas such as Anushtup, Trishtup etc.

Among Vedic mantras I am Gayathri. Gayathri has two meanings. Gayathri is a meter consisting of three lines, with 8 letters in each. Gayatri is also a mantra. Why is Gayathri glorius? Its main glory is that it is Veda saraha. Brahmaji wanted to take essence of vedas (Rg, Yajur and Sama) and he got gayathri.

Thus, we have:

Rg veda sara: Tatsavitha varenyam

Yajur Veda sara: Bhargo devasya Dhimahi

Sama Veda sara: Dhiyo yonaha prachodayat.

This mantra was originally called Savitri mantra. Savithri is name of Surya devata. It was set in gayathri meter hence it is called gayathri.

Also, Om Bhur Bhuvaha is not part of Gayatri mantra, it was added to aide the chanting of the mantra.

Since it is essence of Vedas, it is called Veda itself. Hence father teaches Gayathri to son and it continues on.

Gayathri mantra protects one from all papams or invisible negative effects. How come all people are not allowed to chant Gayathri?

Only one’s who are initiated can chant Shrauta Gayathri.

Shrauta Gayathri is from Vedas.

Smartha gayathri can be chanted by anyone. Smartha Gayatri is from Smriti’s.

Smartha gayatri is as follows:

yo devah savitasmakam dhiyo dharmati gocarah|

prerayet tasya yat bhargah tatvarenya mupasmaheh ||

Essence of Gayathri mantra:

The meaning is very simple: we are meditating upon the sacred efflugence of Sun God.

And why are we meditating and worshipping Gayathri? What do we get out of it? Gayathri is that effulgence which activates our intelligence or buddhi. So therefore, I worship the solar effulgence, because it is supposed to activate my brain; my medha shakti increases, memory power increases; and that is why for brahmacharis, or students, gayathri was emphasized; because it gives every student memory power.

Gayathri activates buddhi shakti; and therefore Sri Krishna says, I am Gayatri Mantra; if a person does not chant the gayatri; he loses all the advantages of being a vaidika purusha.

And it is said in our tradition that without chanting gayatri; whatever other mantras one chants, they all will not be that effective; on the other hand, if he chants gayatri, then no other mantra is required at all.

And furthermore, gayathri itself is divided into two based upon how it is read; thus,one says, tat savithu varenyam while other says tat savithu vare niyam; Second one has 24 letters, while first one 23 letters. One with 24 letters is called gayathri. Second one with 23 letters is called nichir Gayathri. During sandhyavandhanam; one is supposed to chant nichir gayathri;

Margashirsha:

Among 12 months of the year I am Marga shirsha or the period from Dec 15 to January 15.

Take away:

Gayathri: Its main glory is that it is Veda saraha.

Gayathri’s meaning: We are meditating upon the sacred efflugence of Sun God.

If a person does not chant the Gayathri, he loses all the advantages of being a Vaidika purusha.

Once you chant Gayathri, you don’t need to chant any other mantra.

During sandhyavandhanam we are supposed to chant the nichir gayathri with 23 letters.

Smartha gayatri is as follows:

yo devah savitasmakam dhiyo dharmati gocarah|

prerayet tasya yat bhargah tatvarenya mupasmaheh ||

Smartha Gayathri can be chanted by anyone.

With Best Wishes,

Ram Ramaswamy

Karika # 23:

अकारो नयते विश्वमुकारश्चापि तैजसम् ।
मकारश्च पुनः प्राज्ञं नामात्रे विद्यते गतिः ॥ २३ ॥

The sound letter A helps the meditator to attain a well-developed waking personality (vishva). The meditator on U attains a well-developed Taijasa (mind and intellect) and for one who meditates on M reaches Prajna. In the “ soundless” state, after Mkara, there remains no attainment.

 Swamiji said the Upanishad is analyzing Omkara from mantra # 8 onwards. The Upanishad talked about Omkara and A U M was equated to first three padas of atma. It also gave three Upsanasas to practice for the unprepared students. Thus meditating on Akara symbolizes Virat, U kara symbolizes Hiranyagarbha and M kara symbolizes Pragya or Anataryami, respectively.

After practicing the upasana for some time one comes to Omkara Vichara and then resolves A U and M. An example of this process of resolution was provided by our discussion of Bangle, Chain, Ring and Gold. We found there is no substance called bangle, chain or ring respectively. We found that in all of them gold alone is the substance. This understanding that there is no bangle, chain or ring is called padartha-nisheda or negating substantiality of all three ornaments except gold. Padartha Traya Laya, this dissolution of all three, occurs by clear thinking. Once this dissolution occurs question may come up as to why when three padarthas are not there anymore why do we still have the three words? Now, existence of a word is relevant only if there is a corresponding object. First substance, bangle was negated; then we found there is no relevance for word ring as well and in a similar manner relevance of chain was also negated. Padatraya nisheda, means negation of corresponding words. Thus padartha and padatraya, that is all three padas (Virat, Hiranyagarbha and Pragya) and respective three matras (A U M, are negated and then only advaitam gold remains.

Similarly we have to negate sthula, sukshma and karana prapanchas just as we did for padarthas. Once we negate three padarthas only Turiyam remains. There are no more stula, sukshma, and Karana prapancha substances as well. The relevant words also have no more relevance; hence A U M also has no relevance. We have to keep in mind that A U M corresponds to sthula, sukshma and karana prapanchas. Thus A U M are also gone. What is left is Amatra the only substance or only truth of all three and this has to be revealed by an enquiry. This Amatra is now revealed in Mantra # 12.

Mantra # 12:

अमात्रश्चतुर्थोऽव्यवहार्यः प्रपञ्चोपशमः

शिवोऽद्वैत एवमोङ्कार आत्मैव

संविशत्यात्मनाऽऽत्मानं

य एवं वेद ॥ १२ ॥

That which has no parts, the soundless, the cessation of all phenomena, all blissful and non-dual AUM, is the fourth, and verily it is the same as the Atman. He, who knows this, merges his self in the supreme Self, the individual in total.

By negating Prapancha Trayam we come to Turiyam. By negating Matra Trayam (Omkara) we come to Amatra. Amatra is silence following Om. Amatra is the fourth matra. There is no dimension to this silence known as Amatra. This silence is also not finite like A U M. Definition of Amatra: It is exactly same as Turiyam as defined in mantra # 7.

As per this definition, Amatra or truth of Omkara, equals Turiyam, truth of universe. Also, Amatra is fourth part of Omkara even as Turiyam is the fourth pada of Atma. You can never talk about Turiyam and Silence.

When one talks, you know his language, but when a person is silent there is no language spoken; it is attributeless. It is free from pada prapancha, A U M. While Turiyam is free from padartha prapancha or world of objects, Amatra is free from world of names.

Shivaha, in mantra means Amatra or auspicious. Advaita means Amatra is non-dual. In this manner Omkara and four padas of Atma are identical. If I know this, what is the benefit? If a man knows that he is not Vishwa, Taijasa and Karana prapancha but that he is Turiyam, he enters into Atma.

Here, we have to remember that Amatra, the fourth matra, can be translated as silence. This silence is not mere absence of sound or its non-existence; rather, it is Consciousness principle that illumines absence of silence. This silence is Consciousness principle. This silence is not blankness; it is presence of Chaitanyam. This Chaitanya silence is the fourth matra of Omkara. The beauty of this silence is that it can co-exist with sound that is A U M while normal silence cannot. Consciousness can co-exist with A U M. Therefore; Amatra is Chaitanya Tatvam which is Turiyam as well. With this phala shruti of Omkara Vichara is complete.

Thus:

By enquiry into Atma we come to Turiyam

By enquiry into Omkara we come to Amatra.

Through this enquiry we come to pure consciousness.

With this the Upanishad is over. Gaudapada now further explains mantra # 12 in Amatra Karika.

Karika # 24:

ओंकारं पादशो विद्यात्पादा मात्रा न संशयः । 
ओंकारं पादशो ज्ञात्वा न किंचिदपि चिन्तयेत् ॥ २४ ॥

The AUM syllable should be known quarter by quarter. There is no doubt, indeed, that the quarters (of the Self) are the same as the morae (letters of AUM). Having grasped thus the entire significance of Omkara, nothing else whatsoever should be thought of.

While writing his commentary Gaudapada consolidates his teaching of his previous karikas as well. He says, one has to clearly understand that the four padas of Atma equate with four matras of Omkara; thus every pada equates to a specific matra. Having clearly known Omkara and Atma, thereafter he should not have any other thought; he should arrive at Turiyam and abide in it.

(My Note: After understanding the four equations clearly, one should practice nididhyasanam with the Omkara mantra. Omkara can be used as a support for nididhyasanam. How do you meditate? Chant OM and

when you come to silence, you have to dwell upon the knowledge that there are two components in that

silence, one is silence and the other is consciousness. Then turn your attention from silence to

Consciousness then you claim that you are that Turiyam consciousness. This is called silence meditation.)

Karika # 25:

युञ्जीत प्रणवे चेतः प्रणवो ब्रह्म निर्भयम् । 
प्रणवे नित्ययुक्तस्य न भयं विद्यते क्वचित् ॥ २५ ॥

Soak the mind with the roar of AUM; Identify the mind with the sound of AUM; AUM is Brahman the ever fearless. He who is always unified with AUM shall know no fear whatsoever.

Having studied Mandukya and equating Omkara to the four padas of Atma, one must dwell on this through nidhidhyasanam.

Thus when one meditates on first pada Gross Cosmos comes up.

When he meditates on second pada Sukshma Prapancha comes up.

When he meditates on third pada Karana Prapancha comes up.

When he meditates on fourth pada, Turiyam comes up and he should see that other three prapanchas are non-substantial.

With Turiyam he should know that other three do not have any substance just as bangle (sthula prapancha), chain (Sukshma prapancha) and ring (karana prapancha) do not have a substance. This process of assimilation is nidhidhyasanam.

Similarly, A becomes meaningless as does U and M as well. In silence word disappears; there will only be silence consciousness. Student must perform this nidhidysanam. Now sound part of Omkara is saguna Brahman while silence part of Omkara or Amatra is nirguna Brahman. Pranava in the karika means Omkara.

This one has to learn to see in the sadhana. This will provide freedom from all insecurities. All these shlokas are nidhidhyasana shlokas. Gaudapada says you have to dwell on Omkara as often as possible as it will help in arriving at the “silence awareness”. Through Om one comes to this silence.

Advantages of this nidhidhyasanam: Once I know I am silence awareness, I am not afraid of death anymore. Sthula shariram is mortal, Suskhma shariram is mortal and Karana shariram is also mortal but I, the silence, am free from mortality.

Karika # 26:

प्रणवो ह्यपरं ब्रह्म प्रणवश्च परः स्मृतः । 
अपूर्वोऽनन्तरोऽबाह्योऽनपरः प्रणवोऽव्ययः ॥ २६ ॥

AUM is verily the lower Brahman and it is also declared to be supreme Brahman. Pranava is without any cause preceding It, without subsequent manifestation, without anything inside and outside, unrelated to any effect and changeless.

All these karikas are Omkara dhyanam related. Omkara is both Nirguna Brahman (without attributes) and Saguna brahman (with attributes).

A U M represents Saguna Virat, Hiranyagarbha and Anataryami while the silence following OM represents Nirguna Brahman.

The fourth matra of Omkara is without any second thing either inside or outside.

It is like the bangle; is it inside or outside of gold? Bangle, in fact does not even exist, as such where is the question of inside or outside?

When there is no world, where is the inside or outside to it? Thus, there is no matter inside or outside of Atma, the Consciousness. There is no matter inside or outside of Atma. In fact there is no substance called matter. Matter is just a word we use.

In Karika: Purva means karanam; Aparam means Karyam; Apurva anaparaha means beyond cause and effect.

Now, Padas one and two come under Karyam; Pada three comes under karanam; while Turiyam is karya karana vilakshanam as detailed in Karika # 11.

Consciousness is beyond matter, time and space. Avyaya means free from changes.

Karika # 27:

सर्वस्य प्रणवो ह्यादिर्मध्यमन्तस्तथैव च । 
एवं हि प्रणवं ज्ञात्वा व्यश्नुते तदनन्तरम् ॥ २७ ॥

AUM is verily the beginning, the middle and end of all. Knowing AUM as such, verily one attains immediately to that supreme Reality.

Gold is the only truth. It is the substance that pervades all ornaments. It is substance of ornaments. If you seek gold in ornaments in beginning, middle and in the end it is all pervading, as it alone gives existence to all three ornaments.

Similarly the beginning, middle and end of creation are borrowed from Turiyam. Prana vaha means silence, awareness part of pranava. It is beginning, middle and end; this is true both spatially and time wise. Turiya Chaitanya is content of all.  Owning up to Silence Awareness is Me. At that time there is blankness, there is stillness that is you, as witness of silence. I am that Chaitanyam, Instantaneously one becomes one with Turiya Chaitanyam.

Karika # 28:

प्रणवं हीश्वरं विद्यात्सर्वस्य हृदि संस्थितम् ।
सर्वव्यापिनमोंकारं मत्वा धीरो न शोचति ॥ २८ ॥

Know AUM to be Isvara, the Lord, ever-present in the hearts of all; the man of discrimination realizing AUM as all-pervading does not ever grieve.

Omkara has two meanings. Direct meaning is it is the sound of Omkara; second meaning is the implied silence that follows Omkara.

Silence is the consciousness that makes blankness known. Therefore, Omkara implies Consciousness or it means awareness of Silence. It is Paramatma. Where is he, the paramatma, residing? Lord resides in mind of all and Omkara consciousness is in mind of all, as witness of presence and absence of thought. So consciousness is all pervading. For one who can understand this there is no grief (samasara) in life. He is a Muktaha.

Karika # 29:

अमात्रो‘नन्तमात्रश्च द्वैतस्योपशमः शिवः । 
ओंकारो विदितो येन स मुनिर्नेतरो जनः ॥ २९ ॥

One who has known AUM, which is moraeless and of multiple morae (meaning AUM which is soundless and of infinite sounds) and which is ever peaceful because of negation of all duality in it, is the true sage; none other.

In this concluding karika Gaudapada reminds us of mantra number twelve’s definition of Amatra.

Definition of Amatra: Amatra is one without any limitation; either related to space or time. A is limited; U is limited; M is limited; but Amatra does not have any limitation. In meditation we should not work for relative silence; here sound comes and it displaces silence. However, Vedanta says this is not the truth. The true silence is Chaitanyam that is absolute silence; which is free from duality. It is present in silence and sound. It is ever auspicious; it is never disturbed by sound, just as waker’s silence is not disturbed by dreamer’s noise. This person who recognizes Omkara in this manner is a real Seer, a wise person. With this the Amatra karika is over; Chapter # 1 is over; and Upanishad is also over.

Take Away:

Omkara meditation:

Chant OM and when you come to silence, you have to dwell upon the knowledge that there are two components in that silence, one is silence and the other is consciousness. Then turn your attention from silence to consciousness and claim that you are that Turiyam, consciousness. This is called silence meditation.

With Best Wishes,

Ram Ramaswamy

Mantra # 11:

सुषुप्तस्थानः प्राज्ञो मकारस्तृतीया मात्रा

 मितेरपीतेर्वा मिनोति ह वा

 इदं सर्वमपीतिश्च भवति

य एवं वेद ॥ ११ ॥

Pragya, whose sphere of activity is deep sleep, is M the third letter of AUM, because it is both the “measure” and also “ that wherein all become one”. One who knows this identity of Pragya and M is able to know the real nature of things and beings, and also come to realize as being the Self of all.

Swamiji said the Upanishad is in Omkara Vichara from mantra # 8 onwards. In Mantra # 8 it pointed out that the four padas of Atma could be equated to four matras of Omkara; that is A U M and the silence following M is known as Amatra.

From mantra # 9 onwards, each matra was equated to each pada in progressive order. Thus Aa was equated to Vishwa or Virat. In Mantra # 10 the second pada Taijasa or Hiranyagarbha was equated to matra U.

In mantra # 11 the third pada of Pragya and Ishwara was equated to M kara.

Incidentally, after equating, the Upanishad prescribed three upasanas. Aim of Upanishad is not upasana but Vichara. Assuming some students may not be ready for Vichara the Upanishad prescribes the three upasanas. Shankaracharya says upasana is not main topic of the mantras.

The main two features of each of the three upasanas were then pointed out as:

Upasana # 1: it is Aptehe and adimatva.

Upasana # 2: Utakarsha and Ubhayatvat

Upasana # 3: Mithi and Apithi .

Once a nishkama upsana is performed by a manda bhakta his mind will be prepared.

Now, instead of going to fourth pada and fourth matra, Goudapada gives us a break in the following karikas where he talks of the three upasanas.

Karika # 19:

विश्वस्यात्वविवक्षायामादिसामान्यमुत्कटम् । 
मात्रासंप्रतिपत्तौ स्यादाप्तिसामान्यमेव च ॥ १९ ॥

When identity of Vishva and the A sound is  to be described, the common features between them are “being the first” in their respective positions as well as similarity of all pervasiveness.

In this karika Gaudapada is summarizing the Mantra # 9. Sampratipathi means identified with a particular mantra. In such a meditation, Vishwa is equated to Atvam or Amatra. Vishwa is Akara. Vishwa also includes Virat, Jagrat prapancha and Sthula prapancha. The entire jagrat prapancha is thus visualized on Aa.

Here the common features are:

1. Aadi: Virat is primary and Aa is also primary.
2. Apte: Both Aa and Virat are all pervading in nature.

This is upasana #1. Its phalam is mentioned later on by Guadapada.

Karika # 20:

तैजसस्योत्वविज्ञान उत्कर्षो दृश्यते स्फुटम् ।
मात्रासंप्रतिपत्तौ स्यादुभयत्वं तथाविधम् ॥ २० ॥

It is clearly seen that Taijasa is of the same nature as U in AUM, the common features being “superiority”. Another reason for fixing such an identity is “being in the middle”.

It is a summary of mantra # 10. Here upasaka is equating matra U with Taijasa, Hiranyagarbha, sukshma prapancha, invisible worlds; and in doing this, all minds must be visualized. With that the U is taken as a part of Omkara. Two common features here are:

1. Utkrishaha: In mantra # 10 superiority of subtle universe is described. It is cause of gross universe. Even as mind is more powerful than body, so is U superior to Aa at time of chanting. Aa resolves in U. U is resolution ground of Akara.
2. Ubhayatvam: means being an intermediary stage or in the middle. Thus, sukshma prapancha is between sthula and pragya. Similarly U is between Aa and M. This is also an aide to meditation.

Phalam will be discussed later.

Karika # 21:

मकारभावे प्राज्ञस्य मानसामान्यमुत्कटम् । 
मात्रासंप्रतिपत्तौ तु लयसामान्यमेव च ॥ २१ ॥

The identity of prajna and M is upon the clear common feature that they are the “measure”. The other reason for such an identity is because “ all become one” in both prajna and M.

Here  M is equated with the third pada that is Pragya or Antaryami, or Karana prapancha or the Universe in its unmanifest form. Before big bang too there was a condensed universe, an unmanifest universe. This is to be visualized on sound M. To aide with this meditation two common features were described.

1. Mithi: Also called Manam in karika, meaning measure. Sthula, sukshma prapancha enter the measure and then come out of it as well. Utkatam means evident. Measure-ness.
2. Laya samanya; Gaudapada uses laya instead of Apithi as used in mantra # 11. Laya is resolution ground; Karana Prapancha is also resolution ground and upon dissolution it goes back to its potential state.

Law of conservation of energy is actually described in Upanishad. It says that sthula suskhma parapancha go back to Laya.

Also Aa and U resolve in M. When we say M is resolution ground it is from a practical point of view as technically M cannot be resolution ground; it has to be Aa alone. By nature of Aa it is the material cause of all other sounds, their karanam; as such all have to be resolved back in it alone.

Upanishad is indicating a practical reality that Mm is end of all talking. This is third Upasana prescribed for the unprepared students.

Karika # 22:

त्रिषु धामसु यस्तुल्यं सामान्यं वेत्ति निश्चितः । 
स पूज्यः सर्वभूतानां वन्द्यश्चैव महामुनिः ॥ २२ ॥

He who knows without doubt what the common

features are in three states, is worshipped and adored by all beings; and he is indeed the greatest sage.

Normally Upasana is for manda adhikari’s. This may give the student an inferiority complex; hence Gaudapada is trying to boost the student by glorifying the upsaka.

That meditator who clearly knows the equation based on common features in all three upasanas becomes a revered one. The three upsanas correspond to the three states of experience. Thus Akara is Jagrat; U kara is Swapna and M kara is Sushupti. This upasaka becomes a revered person among human beings. He becomes worthy of worship. In our culture Upasakas’s are worshipped. Maha muni means great upasaka. What is phalam of this? Phalam was not described.

Karika # 23:

अकारो नयते विश्वमुकारश्चापि तैजसम् ।
मकारश्च पुनः प्राज्ञं नामात्रे विद्यते गतिः ॥ २३ ॥

The sound letter A helps the meditator to attain a well-developed waking personality (vishva). The meditator on U attains a well-developed Taijasa (mind and intellect) and for one who meditates on M reaches Prajna. In the “ soundless” state, after Mkara, there remains no attainment

Therefore this upasana can be practiced as nishkama or sakama upasana. Nishkama makes him ready for Turiyam Gyanam. For Sakama upsaka there also benefits in this life as well as in after life.

Ihaloka Phalam:

As stated by mantra # 9, he will become superior to others and become a common person acceptable to all. For third upasana he will be able to measure and judge. He will become one with God.

Paraloka phalam is not described in Upanishad. Gaudapada says, Akara Upasana does not mean meditating on Akara alone, it means Akara Pradhana Omkara Upasana and how to practice it has not been described. Shankaracharya also does not give importance to upasana.

This upasana will take upasaka after death to Vishwam or Virat Aikyam or oneness with Virat Ishwara. It is like a river merging in ocean. He will lose individuality temporarily until his punyam lasts.

Similarly U kara pradhana Omkara Upasana is when U is equated with Hiranyagarbha. It will lead after death to Taijasa or Hiranyagarbha aikyam. Shikshavalli also describes this aikyam.

Third is M kara pradhana Omkara Upasana will lead after death to Pragya or Antaryami Aikyam. He will merge into God. It is not a Gyani’s merger. Upasaka’s merger lasts only until his punyam and then he starts again while Gyani, after merger, do not come back.

How about Amatra and Turiyam? One who comes to Amatra does not travel after death as he becomes one with Brahman here and now. This is fourth matra.

Let us assume one has practiced this Upasana and prepared the mind for enquiry. How to do the enquiry? What is difference between Upasana and enquiry?

Aa is invoked as sthula prapancha and U is invoked as sukshma prapancha. Normally a word is used to reveal an object. Word is padam and object is padartha. Every padam represents a padartha.

Vedanta asks us to enquire into truth of this, asking us in effect to perform a Vichara.

Padam is a word. Four words are used: Bangle, Chain, Ring and Gold. Each padam must reveal a padartha. Bangle reveals bangle padartha. Ring reveals ring padartha. Chain reveals chain padartha while Gold reveals Gold padartha. Thus four padams reveal four padarthas. But upon enquiry I find gold is substance in front of me, but in the word bangle there is no padartha. Ring also has no padartha, chain too has no padartha. Therefore, upon enquiry three padarthas are dismissed; that is bangle, chain, ring; thus substance is dismissed. Once three padartha’s are negated the corresponding padam’s are also negated as they have no object to reveal. Therefore enquiry leads to dismissal of padartha and later padams as well.

Enquiry leads to resolution of padams and padarthas. So other than Turiyam, the only substratum, all other substances just do not exist. There is no substance called Sthula, Sukshma, Karana Prapancha and correspondingly sthula, sukskma karana Padams are also not there. What is left is Pada padartha vilakshanam or Turiyam. This Turiyam can be represented by silence. So, enquiry leads to dismissing of padam and padartha.

With Best Wishes,

Ram Ramaswamy

Shloka # 30:

प्रह्लादश्चास्मि दैत्यानां कालः कलयतामहम्।
मृगाणां च मृगेन्द्रोऽहं वैनतेयश्च पक्षिणाम्।।10.30।।

Daityanam, among demons, the descendants of Diti, I am the one called Prahlada. And I am kalah, Time; kalayatam, among reckoners of time, of those who calculate. And mrganam, among animals; I am mrgendrah, the loin, or the tiger. And paksinam, among birds; (I am) vainateyah, Garuda, the son of Vinata.

Continuing his teaching, Swamiji said, we are seeing Sri Krishna enumerate the glories of Ishwara. The entire creation is a manifestation and glory of the Lord. Sri Krishna chooses a few specialties as his glory. They can be chosen to invoke God. Even though all rivers are glorious, Ganga can be used to invoke god. Hence Ganga is considered scared. Everyone enumerated can be an alambanam. Many are identified from mythological stories. Thus he cites in shloka # 30 about Prahlada. Prahlada stuthi in the Bhagavatham is a very well known sthothram; in which we find the highest

Vedanta talked about. In the Bhagavatham there are many stuthis or sthothrams; Dhruva stuthi; Prahlada sthuthi; Kunthi sthuthi; Bhishma sthuthi; each character

glorifies the Lord and the beauty is, in those sthothrams not only the puranic glories are there; the highest Vedanta is also packed in those stuthis and among them Prahlada is also a great one.

It is an important one because even though Prahlada is born an asura, by his spiritual sadhana he could change his character and become a Gyani. Therefore one need not feel bad about one’s janma; jati does not indicate superiority or inferiority;

He was son of an Asura who changed. His jati did not matter. It was his guna that finally mattered. Karma with proper attitude makes one a guna Brahmana.

I am also Kala tatvam to ripen karmas at the right time. Karmas of groups of people also fructify at the same time. A sick person’s papam fructifies. Another person serving me (sick person) is my punyam; while it is his papam that he has to serve me even while losing his sleep. So God becomes kala delivering the right karma at right time to right person.

Among animals I am Lion. Among birds I am Garuda, son of Vinata. Garuda is Vahanam of Vishnu. In Vaishnavism there is a Garuda Alwar or a great devotee.

Shloka # 31:

पवनः पवतामस्मि रामः शस्त्रभृतामहम्।
झषाणां मकरश्चास्मि स्रोतसामस्मि जाह्नवी।।10.31।।

Pavatam, of the purifiers; I am pavanah, air. Sastra-bhrtam, among weilders of weapons, I am Rama, son of Dasaratha. Jhasanam, among fishes etc; I am the particular species of fish called makarah shark. I am jahnavi, Ganga; srotasam, among rivers, among streams of water.

Among purifiers (ganga jalam, fire, wind etc) I am Vayu. Hence we worship Vayu; we also worship Agni. Among Gods who wield weapons I am Rama with the bow Kodandapani. Thus, gods have weapons to protect dharma.

Thus, Lord Shiva has got his parashu hastha; he has got parashu; he is called Pinakapani; the one who has got a bow called Pinakam; and Rama is called Kothandapani; Vishnu is called Sarngapani; not Sarangapani.

Initially one protects by non-violence. Only as a last resort is violence used. Even Rama gave Ravana one last chance. Even in Mahabharata Sri Krishna met kauravas one last time to avoid war. For Kshatriya dharma yudha is a dharma. It is like a doctor amputating a limb to save a person. In case of devotees, how will god use his weapon? Here too God uses weapon to destroy our inner enemies (kama, krodha, moha etc). So with Sudarashana chakram, right knowledge, Lord destroys Agyanam.

Among water animals I am Makara, the whale. Among rivers I am Janhavi or Ganga. Ganga is a papam remover as well. According to Vedanta Ganga symbolizes flow of spiritual knowledge. Thus following are common features:

1. Ganga originates from Lord Shiva’s head. Brahma Vidya also comes from Lord Shiva.
2. River flows from higher level to lower level. Generally Guru’s are seated at higher level and knowledge flows from Guru to Shishya.
3. Ganga is a perennial river. Brahma vidya also is perennial. What is proof of this? The fact that we are able to learn this Vidya is the proof.
4. When you dip in Ganga you feel refreshed. In same way, Vedanta teaching is also refreshing to one.
5. Even though Ganga flows from Gomukh to Calcutta, you can take a dip in it only at Ghat with steps. So also Brahmavidya, you can only dip at Guru’s Ghat.

Shloka # 32:

सर्गाणामादिरन्तश्च मध्यं चैवाहमर्जुन।
अध्यात्मविद्या विद्यानां वादः प्रवदतामहम्।।10.32।।

O Arjuna sarganam, of creations; I am the adih, beginning; ca, and ; he antah, end; ca eva, as also; the madhyam, middle-I am the origin, continuance and dissolution. At the commencement (verse 20) origin, end, etc. only of things possessed of souls were spoken of, but here the mention is of all creations in general. This is the difference. Vidyanam, among knowledges; I am the adhyatma-vidya, knowledge of the Self, it being the foremost because of its leading to liberation. Pravadatam, of those who date; aham, I; am vadah, Vada, which is preeminent since it is a means to determining true purport. Hence I am that . By the word pravadatam are here meant the different kinds of date held by dators, viz Vada, Jalpa, and Vitanda. [Vada: discussion with open-mindedness, with a view to determining true purport; jalpa: pointless date; Vitanda: wrangling discussion. [Jalpa is that mode of date by which both parties establish their own viewpoint through direct and indirect proofs, and refute the view of the opponent through circumvention (Chala) and false generalization (Jati) and by pointing out unfitness (of the opponent) tobe argued with (Nigraha-sthana). But where one party establishes his viewpoint, and the other refutes it through circumvention, false generalization and showing the unfitness of the opponent to be argued with, without establishing his own views, that is termed Vitanda. Jalpa and Vitanda result only in a trial of streangth between the opponents, who are both desirous of victory, But the result of Vada is the ascertainment of truth between the teacher and the disciple or between others, both unbiased.

Among creations, I am beginning, end and middle. Sri Krishna said the same in shloka # 20. How to reconcile this? One indicates spatially while second looks at time wise; Srishti, Sthiti and Laya karanam.

Vidya means any disciple of knowledge; any science is called Vidya and there are so many branches of

knowledge in our tradition such as: the four vedas; shiksha, kalpa, vyakaranam, niruktham, chanda, jyothisham etc.; there are so many branches in the sciences and the modern sciences are many as you know, and among all of them, I am the spiritual knowledge.

Among sciences, I am Atma Gyanam. In chapter # 9 it was called Raja Vidhya, self-knowledge that says Atma is the only reality, all others are unreal.

Thus, Apara Vidya is Avidya and Paravidya is Gyanam.

It is only self-knowledge that liberates a human being from our limitations.

The sense of physical limitation is expressed in the form of our desire to accumulate more and more and more because with myself I feel I am limited; So I have a sense of physical limitation, I have a sense of emotional limitation, that I am not loved by all; I am not loved by own children; no one enquires about me; they do not even check whether we are there or not; so all these are all what; emotional deprivation; emotional sense of limitation; Then the next level of limitation is intellectual; any amount I know, I know that I do not know much; the greater I know, the greater the ignorance is exposed; and therefore, this sense of limitation is samsara and any branch of knowledge other than self-knowledge will not remove this limitation; In fact, not only it will not remove, it will create only further limitation; like Newton said; thousands of discoveries he made and at the time of death, he declared that I was playing with a few pebbles on the shore, while the vast ocean of truth is in front. Therefore, material sciences will only increase the sense of limitation; whereas this is the only knowledge give me poornatvam.

No other branch other than self-knowledge can remove these limitations. Material science will increase sense of limitation while self-knowledge alone will give Poornatvam.

This is also the rarest of knowledge. Many don’t come to this knowledge. The number of people who know this are indeed very rare.

Then the next one Vadaha means a discussion for arriving at the truth. In our tradition, they talk about several types of discussions; anything you take, they have studied thoroughly; they talk about vadaha; they talk about jalpa, they about vithanda; they talk about jathi; they talk about chalam; these are all different types of discussions, And vadaha or samvadaha between guru and Shishya, both are meant for only one purpose and that is arriving at the truth; whereas in all other discussions, arriving at the truth is not the aim, winning the argument is the aim; and hence the expression heated argument.

Doing namaskara to teacher means I will set aside without my ego or notions.

Whenever I am in agreement with you, you accept me; which means what; you hold on to your view alone; this is called filtered listening; whichever is convenient you take and the other things you are not able to drop. That means I lack intellectual honesty; therefore a discussion wherein I set aside my ego; wherein I am ready to openly accept, not mentally verbally accept my mistake and I am interested in listening to other persons; it is the most difficult thing in any discussion or dialogue; our mind is itching to talk; and we are waiting for that person to take a breath; at that time you enter and you finish off your arguments; So if I can listen in a relaxed manner to the other person and similarly I talk, that is called vada or samvada; that alone will lead to discovery of truth; and therefore Sri Krishna claims that I am vadaha.

Shloka # 33:

अक्षराणामकारोऽस्मि द्वन्द्वः सामासिकस्य च।
अहमेवाक्षयः कालो धाताऽहं विश्वतोमुखः।।10.33।।

Aksaranam, of the letters; I am the akarah, letter a. Samasikasya, of the group of compound words, I am the compund (called) Dvandva. Besieds, aham eva, I Myself; am the aksayah, infinite, endless; kalah, time, well known as ‘moment’ etc.; or, I am the supreme God who is Kala (Time, the measurer) even of time. I am the dhata, Dispenser, the dispenser of the fruits of actions of the whole world; visvatomukhah, with faces everwhere.

Among letters I am letter Aa. In English language Aa does not exist. In all Indian languages Aa is first letter. It is most fundamental sound, because when you open your mouth, the sound that comes is Aa. All other sounds are modified versions of Aa alone. By changing your mouth you can show teeth and it becomes Ee .Thus Aa’s modifications result in other sounds. Thus, Aa is Karana Aksharam while others are Karya Aksharani.

Take away:

1. It is only self-knowledge that liberates a human being from our mental, emotional and intellectual limitations.
2. Sri Krishna emphasizes non-judgmental and relaxed listening. We need to improve our listening skills.

With Best Wishes,

Ram Ramaswamy

Shloka 10. 27:

उच्चैःश्रवसमश्वानां विद्धि माममृतोद्भवम्।
ऐरावतं गजेन्द्राणां नराणां च नराधिपम्।।10.27।।

 10.27 Among horses, know Me to be Uccaihsravas, born of nectar; Airavata among the lordly elephants; and among men, the Kind of men. [Uccaihsravas and Airavata are respectively the divine horse and elephant of Indra.]

 Continuing his teaching, Swamiji said, Sri Krishna continues his description of his glories and many glories are available in this world itself for perception such as the sun, moon, and sometimes puranic stories as well. Two stories are prominent, one is Ganga avatharanam and other is Samudra manthanam. We started the Samudra manthanam story in the last class.

Devas and Asuras planned to churn the milky ocean so that they can get amrutham out of it; and then if they partake the Amrutham, they will get immortality. So, with this plan, they brought the Manthara mountain for churning and they brought Vasuki as the rope and later Bhagavan Vishnu had to come as Kurma avathara to hold the Manthara mountain while churning; otherwise it was going down; and initially they had differences of opinion, but somehow they managed and started churning and varieties of things appeared. Fourteen virtuous things came out of the manthanam.

Kalidasa wrote a prayer called Mangalashtakam; which is supposed to be chanted in the morning, and in this prayer he talks about various sacred things including the 14 rathnas or precious things which came out of the milky ocean.

They are:

1) Laksmi Devi; she is samudra tanaya. Samudra raja wanted a boy for Laksmi; Shiva and Vishnu were potential matches; The raja gave Lakshmi to Vishnu as he was well dressed and Shiva did not even know how to dress properly and therefore a poet says that if you want a good girl, dress up well.

Spiritually, by the practice of sadhana, a churning of satvic mind occurs and from this churning various glories come to him such as sidhis.

These siddhis, that are worldly benefits, are more obstacles in spiritual progress. All these ratnams are sidhis and are distractions; and devas were not interested in them; they wanted amrutam or moksha.

2. Halahala: the poison came out. It represents psychological problems in course of spiritual journey. They arise from subconscious mind from past experiences. In Mandukya Upanishad Gaudapada talks of four obstacles in meditation. One of them is called Kashayam, meaning deeply suppressed problems of past arising from mind. For some they come up as anxiety, fear, etc. One Acharya calls it Stabdhi bhava, or a mind stuck, also called kashayam. In Gurukula, when this happens, you don’t to worry about anything as Brahmachari has no family, no cooking to do, etc. These are called Halahala, our own mind problems, rising from churning shastra vichara. Only remedy for this was that Lord had to swallow the problem. For us the solution is to surrender the problem to god and let him absorb the problem.

Lakshmi, Kaustubha, Parijatha are all Siddhi’s. If you persevere you will get amritham or atma gyanam. Another poet wrote that there are five Vedas, Mahabharata being the fifth one.

We have 9 planets that affect us. A daughter, if married, the son-in-law is the tenth planet that affects you.

In Shloka # 27 Sri Krishna says, among horses, I am Uchiravas that came from churning. How did it emerge? It emerged during amrutha manthanam.

He says, among elephants, I am Airavatam, a wise elephant from heaven. Among humans, I am the king. King is taken as a manifestation of God. He has to support dharma and protect it.

Shloka # 28:

आयुधानामहं वज्रं धेनूनामस्मि कामधुक्।
प्रजनश्चास्मि कन्दर्पः सर्पाणामस्मि वासुकिः।।10.28।।

Ayudhanam, among weapons; I am the vajram, thunderbolt, made of the bones of (the sage) Dadhici. Dhenunam, among milch cows; I am kama-dhuk, Kamadhenu, which was the yielder of all desires of (the sage) Vasistha; or it means a cow in general which gives milk at all times. I am Kandarpa, prajanah, the Progenitor, (the god) Kama (Cupid). Sarpanam, among serpents, among the various serpents, I am Vasuki, the king of serpents.

Among the weapons I am Vajram. Vajrayudam is the special weapon of Indra; and in the purana, the

story is given how this special weapon was taken out of the backbone of Dadichi maharishi; that Dadichi maharishi had done plenty of tapas and therefore his body had become very strong for the special purpose of destroying Vrthrasura. To destroy Vrthrasura, Dadichi Maharishi sacrificed his life and out of his backbone vajrayudam was made; therefore it has got the strength born out of tapas shakthi, because we consider spiritual power or meditative power is much stronger than the material power.

Vishwamitra and Vasishta once fought. All missiles of Vishwamitra fell in front of Vasishtas dandas. Physical and material strength is nothing in front of power of Tapas. That is how Vishwamitra became a Brahma Rishi. This shows how Varna can be changed. Thus character is more important than birth.

Among milk cows, Dhenu, I am Kama dhenu. Why Kama dhenu? Because she can yield anything you want. Pray to her; you will get your wishes. Kamadhenu also came from churning. Mind is kamadhenu. It can create anything. All our advances are from our intellect. We can also attain moksha by using our intellect.

Desire: is called Manmatha or Kandarpa. Desire is greatest producer of things. First a desire rises then it becomes an actuality. As per Vedanta this comes from our Karmas. Necessity is the mother of creation; it expresses as desire. Among creators I am desire, including desire for children.

Among serpents, poisonous ones, I am Vasuki, Shivas ornament. Snake symbolizes ahamkara . So ahamkara is the greatest poison, which leads to kartrtvam and karma phalam and punarapi janamam and punarapi maranam samsara.

Lord Shiva knows how to handle this snake hence it is an ornament. Atma Gyanam teaches how to handle ahamkara. And therefore for a Gyani, ahamkara becomes a bhushanam, an ornament. Just as poisonous snake is an ornament for Lord Shiva; the poisonous ahamkara is an ornament for a Gyani.

Shloka # 29:

अनन्तश्चास्मि नागानां वरुणो यादसामहम्।
पितृ़णामर्यमा चास्मि यमः संयमतामहम्।।10.29।।

Naganam, among snakes, of a particular species of snakes; asmi, I am Ananta, the King of snakes. And Varuna, the King yadasam, of the gods of the waters. Pitrnam, among the manes; I am the King of the manes, named Aryama. And samyamatam, among the maintainers of law and order I am Yama.

Among nagas, I am Anantaha. Nagas are non-poisonous snakes, while sarpas are poisonous snakes. Philosophically ananta means nirguna Brahman that remains after destroying everything. Thus Adi Sesha remains after everything has been destroyed. Hence the name Seshasayi means the ultimate remainder.

Yadas: Water Devata is Yada. There are many of them such as river gods, lake gods etc. Among them all I am Varuna Devata who presides over ocean. Varuna is worshipped in Sayam sandhya as well. In evening once sun has set, Varuna is worshipped.

There are many devatas in Pitrloka. Depending upon one’s punya you go there. It is presided by Aryama, a Vedic deity. I am Aryama, says Sri Krishna. All Shradhas , ancestral offerings, go to Aryama.

Among controllers of universe I am Yama or Kala Tatvam. Yama is controller of time.

Shloka # 30:

प्रह्लादश्चास्मि दैत्यानां कालः कलयतामहम्।
मृगाणां च मृगेन्द्रोऽहं वैनतेयश्च पक्षिणाम्।।10.30।।

Daityanam, among demons, the descendants of Diti, I am the one called Prahlada. And I am kalah, Time; kalayatam, among reckoners of time, of those who calculate. And mrganam, among animals; I am mrgendrah, the loin, or the tiger. And paksinam, among birds; (I am) vainateyah, Garuda, the son of Vinata.

Diti is the wife of Kashyapa Prajapathihi, who is an important personality mentioned in the puranas. When Brahmaji created 14 Prajāapati came first and from the 14 prajapatis alone, the entire humanity emerged.

And therefore these Prajapatis are enumerated; among them the most prominent one is Kashyapa; and Aditi is his wife; Didi is another wife and Adithi’s children are called Devas and Diti’s children are called asuras. So Devas and asuras are born to two different mother’s while father is one and the same; Devas represent positive healthy thoughts; asuras represent unhealthy thought; all from one Kashyapa Prajapati. Thus, we get both Deva vritthis as well as asura vriththis; out of two different wives; one is called satva guna wife; and the other is called rajo guna wife; out of these three gunas, especially these two gunas; satva and rajas, two types of vrithis are generated; one is called daivi sampath; and the other is called asuri sampath; we will see more on this in the 16th chapter.

Even among asuras a great devotee called Prahlada was born to Hiranyakashapu. Prahlada is remembered among great devotees in morning prayers. He was born an asura but he was a person with satva guna. This shows that Jati is not important it is one’s guna that makes it important. Therefore caste system is not correct.

Among one’s who keep account, as accountant, of punya and papam I am Kala Tatvam. Every deliberate action is a karma. Every karma has to produce a result at appropriate time; Kala or Dharmaraja performs this. I am kala tatvam responsible for manifesting every karma.

Vaishyas are called Guptas, or secretive one’s. Kshatriyas are called Varmas. Brahmanas are called Sharmas. Thus, we also worship Chitra Gupta.

Among animals, I am Lion.

Take away:

With Best Wishes,

Ram Ramaswamy