Portion of Swamiji’s lecture on Shivarthri: In the first stage of Ishwara Aradhanam we defined Ishwara as shrithi-shruthi-laya kartha. We use the word jagat kartha but in the second stage, Ishwara jnanam, the language is slightly changed. Instead of the word “kartha” we use the word “karanam”. Now we define God as the cause of […]
Greetings All, Shloka # 19: Continuing his teaching on Kaivalya Upanishad, recapping last week’s lessons, Swamiji says, in all these mahavakya mantras the Jivatma-paramatma aikyam is revealed. Jiva and Parama are not intrinsic properties of Atma. Their manifestation depends upon the medium. Just as a face appears different in a convex or concave mirror so […]
Greetings All, Continuing his talk, Swamiji reminded us that Arjuna wanted to know about Sthita Pragyaha. Sthita Pragyaha is one who has acquired Self Knowledge. Sri Krishna deals with the topic in two parts. Traits of Sthita Pragya or lakshanani and How to become Sthita Pragyaha or the Sadhanani. Natural traits of sthitha pragyaha were […]
Shloka # 16: Continuing his teaching on Kaivalya Upanishad, recapping last week’s lessons, Swamiji says, All these mantras are known as maha-vakyas. They reveal Jivatma-paramatma aikyam. They are not two separate entities. They are essentially one and the same. The Atma manifests itself through Vyashti (micro) and Samashthi (macro) mediums. The mediums are known as […]
Greetings All, Continuing his talk, Swamiji reminded us that Sri Krishna deals with two topics, Sthita Pragya Lakshanani and Sthita Pragyaha Sadhanani, in the final portion of chapter 2. Sthitha means assimilation of teaching. This is conversion of intellectual knowledge into emotional strength. Kama, krodha, raga and dvesha do not affect him. How does he […]
Greetings All, Continuing his teaching on Kaivalya Upanishad, Swamiji says, after talking about nidhidhyasanam, Brahmaji has come to sravanam and mananam in reverse order. Sri Krishna also does the same when he reverses the order in chapter 2 of the Gita dealing with Gyana yoga first and then coming to Karma yoga. It is the […]
Greetings All, Continuing his talk, Swamiji reminded us that Arjuna asked Sri Krishna, what is the life style of a Sthitaprgyaha? How does such a person respond to situations? Sthita pragyaha is one who has attained self-knowledge. A Karma Yogi also has knowledge. A Karma Yogi is, however, not yet a Gyani. One is called […]
Greetings All, Continuing his talk, Swamiji reminded us that Arjuna wanted to know about the Sthitha Pragyaha. How does such a person respond to situations? Is there any practical benefit to the study of the Gita , asks Swamiji? Shloka # 55: A person comes to Sthitha Pragyaha by: Following the path of Karma Yoga […]
Greetings All, Shloka # 55: Sri Krishna answered: “When one wholly discards desires of the heart and becomes exclusively content with the Self, one is called a sage of stable wisdom. O Arjuna.” Refreshing our memory, Swamiji says, we have come to the fourth and final topic of Sthita Pragyaha. Arjuna asked Sri Krishna if […]
Greetings All, Continuing his teaching on Kaivalya Upanishad Swamiji says, the student approached the teacher and asked for Brahma Vidya. He was sufficiently informed that it was the only means of liberation. What are the means to obtain Brahma Vidya? Brahmji says there are two means. 1. Direct or Sakshat and 2. Supporting means. Direct […]