Laws of Karma
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Bhaja Govindam
Class 1 Introduction The faculty of choice, or free will, is one of the defining features of human beings. Animals do not have any goals in life. They eat, reproduce, live for a few years, and die. However, many human beings question free will and argue that we do not truly have free will, and […]
Swamiji’s 2026 New Year Message – Self-Knowledge (Ātma-vidyā)
Self-knowledge is the central subject matter of our scriptures, the Vedas. The Vedas are broadly divided into two parts. The initial portion deals with Dharma Śāstra—guidelines on how to live our lives in harmony with the world. The final portion, known as Vedānta, presents spiritual teachings primarily in the form of the Upaniṣads. There are […]
Niyatha Karma 2
In this second video discussing the concept of Karma in Vedanta, I detail Niyatha Karma – tapas (Austerity), DhAnam (Charity) and Pancha MahA Yajña (five essential practices) – as described in Bhagavad Gita. Bhagavan Krishna tells us in Bhagavad Gita that we should not renounce these niyatha karma. The slides used in this video: (more…)
Bhagwat Geeta, Class 186 – Chapter 14 Verses 19 and 20
Each guna binds a person in one way or another, because each guna requires a particular set up. Satva guna requires a setup conducive to knowledge and tranquility, rājo guna requires a setup conducive to activity and tāmo guna requires a setup conducive to sleep. A particular set up that is favorable for sattva guna, […]
Bhagwat Geeta, Class 156 – Chapter 12 Bhakti Yogaha, Verses 3 to 5
The 12th Chapter begins with a question from Arjuna. Arjuna asks whether saguna dhyānam or nirguna dhyānam is superior. Saguna dhyānam means meditation up on the Lord with various features. Nirguna dhyānam means meditation up on the lord with no features. This question is wrong because the idea of superior comes only when you can […]
Bhagwat Geeta, Class 154 – Chapter 12 Bhakti Yogaha, Verses 1 to 2
The 12th Chapter gives a comprehensive essence of Vedas. The first part (the first 12 verses) of this chapter deals with Bhakti Yoga as a means of moksha. This chapter removes many confusions regarding bhakti yoga. Second part (13 to 20th) Bhakti Yoga palam or moksha is discussed in the second part – 13th to […]
Three Gunas
Bhagwat Gita Three Gunas to Monitor One’s Spiritual Progress In Chapter 14 of Bhagwat Gita, Lord Krishna defines and describes the three gunas: Sattvic, Rajas and Tamas. In subsequent chapters, Lord Krishna classifies many of our daily actions and sadhanas into these three types. Swami Paramarthananda has translated Bhagwat Gita for use by his students. […]
Mandukya Upanishad, Class 30
Karika # 34: This manifold does not exist as identical with Ātman nor does it ever stand independent by itself. It is neither separate from Brahman nor is it non-separate. This is the statement of the wise. After pointing out in Karika # 32 that from Turiya Drsihti or Turiya point of view, there is no creation at […]
Baghawad Geeta, Chapter 11 Summary
Swamiji summarized the chapter today. He said the significance of the chapter could be fully understood only if one has an understanding of Chapter’s # 7 through # 10. It is a developmental chapter based on previous four chapters. In previous chapters Sri Krishna talked about nature of God or Ishwara Swarupam. Ishwara is jagat […]