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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 […]

Bhagawad Geeta, Class 144: Chapter 11, Verses 13 to 18

Shloka 11. 13: तत्रैकस्थं जगत्कृत्स्नं प्रविभक्तमनेकधा। अपश्यद्देवदेवस्य शरीरे पाण्डवस्तदा।।11.13।। At that time, Pandava saw there, in the body of the God of gods, the whole diversely differentiated Universe united in the one (Cosmic form). Swamiji said Arjuna asked for the Vishwa rupa darshanam and it involved two things. First our normal eyes that see the […]

Mandukya Upanishad, Class 23

Karika  15: अव्यक्ता एव येऽन्तस्तु स्फुटा एव च ये बहिः ।  कल्पिता एव ते सर्वे विशेषस्त्विन्द्रियान्तरे ॥ १५ ॥ (Things) which are (experienced) within are not clear. (Things) which are (experienced) outside are clear. All of them are projected only. The distinction is due to a different sense organ. In chapter 2 Gaudapada wants to […]

Mandukya Upanishad, Class 22

Karikas 7: सप्रयोजनता तेषां स्वप्ने विप्रतिपद्यते ।  तस्मादाद्यन्तवत्वेन मिथ्यैव खलु ते स्मृताः ॥ ७ ॥ That the objects of the waking state can serve our purpose in life is contradicted in dream state experiences. Therefore, they are undoubtedly illusory on account of their-both waking and dream-having a beginning and an end. Karika # 8: अपूर्वं […]