Arjuna shows the close connection between the institution of family and a dharmic way of life. These are intertwined so closely that when one is affected, the other has an impact and then it spirals into a vicious cycle. If family is destroyed, then dharma is destroyed, and with dharma destroyed, the next generation of […]
Chapter 1 Sloka 38 यद्यप्येते न पश्यन्ति लोभोपहतचेतसः। कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं मित्रद्रोहे च पातकम्।।1.38।। यद्यपि though एते these न not पश्यन्ति see लोभोपहतचेतसः with intelligence overpowered by greed कुलक्षयकृतम् in the destruction of families दोषम् evil मित्रद्रोहे in hostility to friends च and पातकम् sin Swamiji explains that Vyasarcharya shows the intensity of Arjuna’s samsaara […]
Bagawat Geeta Class 8 Namaste! Summary of class on December 19th: Verses 29-34 continues with Arjuna’s emotion of shOka (sorrow) and VyAsa here wants to show the intensity of the sorrow. Arjuna is describing how he is physically affected (limbs drooping, mouth drying up, body trembling, hairs standing, the Gandiva slipping, skin on fire, mind […]
Namaste! Summary of class on December 12th: Swamiji says that no value can be followed unconditionally because every value has an exception. When everything else fails, himsa is allowed. Verses 24 and 25: ( Sanjaya said) ” Oh Dhrtarastra! Commanded thus ( to place the chariot in between the armies) by Arjuna, Krishna placed the […]
Namaste! Summary of Bhaghavad Gita class on 12/5/2015: Verses 14 – 23 Verse 14 – “Thereafter, Krishna and Arjuna, seated in a grand chariot with white horses, blew their divine conches.” After the Kaurava army signaled their readiness, it is the Pandavas’ turn to signal their readiness. Even though he is not the oldest, Krishna […]
Chapter 1- Verses 3 to 11 Duryodhana’s dialogue with Dronacharya continues- Verse 3 : Oh teacher! See this vast army of the Pandavas, arrayed by the son of Drupada, your skillful disciple. Verse 4: In this army there are many powerful archers who are equal to Bhima and Arjuna in war – Satyaki, the king […]
Dhritarashtra asks Sanjaya ” MAMAKAH PANDAVAH CA EVA DHARMAKSHETRE KIM AKURVATHAH” (What did MY PEOPLE and also the Pandavas do in the Holy land?) Dhritarashtra was born congenitally blind. He also acquired inner blindness by his selfishness and excessive attachment to Duryodhana. Dhritarashtra, being blind, was not eligible for the throne and hence PANDU […]
Scriptures point out that human beings have 4 possible destinations. Rebirth—(PUNAR JANMA): As a result of fructification of Sanchitha karma ,beings attain suitable bodies.This cycle continues for most people until their Sanchita Karma is exhausted.This is possible only with attainment of Self Knowledge. Attainment of Swarga.(PARA LOKA PRAPTHI): Some people believe that attainment of celestial pleasures in Swarga is freedom. Sastras do talk about these to those who […]
Greetings All, Gita, Chapter # 1: Swamiji started his talks on the Gita today. He says: Chapter 1 is an introduction to the Gita. It is a dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna. The main theme of Gita starts at Verse #11, chapter 2. Even Shankarachraya’s commentaries start from this point. The introduction in chapter 1 […]
Greetings All, Swamiji continued with his discussion of the invocation prayer called Gitagyana Shloka. Madhusudhana Saraswathi wrote this Shloka. While this shloka was not originally a part of Gita, it is now accepted as one. The Gitagyana Shloka has nine verses. In these Shlokas we are offering namaskara to: Bharathi, Gita/ Saraswathi, Vyasa and Lord […]