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 […]
Namaste: This are my notes from New Year talk given by Swamiji on January 1, 2016: You can listen to this talk here. The topic of this talk was six principles of tolerance. Swamiji started the talk by pointing out that the topic of tolerance is in the news now a days and that both Tatva […]
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 […]
Prasna Upanishad, Class 6 – Dec 20, 2015 Continuation of explanation of verse 11. [divah: bhuvarlOkha. pare: beyond] SuryalOkha is in a place beyond bhuvarlokha. (bhUlOkha is earth, bhuverlOkha is intermediate, suverlOkha is in a higher space). Adhithya is also purishinam (plenty of water). Why? Sun alone is responsible for rain. Some sages glorify the […]
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 […]
I had difficulty in comprehending and digesting this class and summarized as best as I can. I greatly appreciate any corrections, additions and comments to my summary. In the last class, Swamiji stated that Rayee is a non translatable word. For my own sake of understanding this Upsanishad, I equate Rayee to matter and Prana […]
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 […]
Greetings All, Swamiji continued his talks on Prasna Upanishad. Shloka # 1: Refreshing our memory on Shloka 1, he says, this Upanishad begins with an introduction of Guru and Shishyas. It is similar to other Upanishads. The six qualified students are named and described. The way they were qualified is as follows: They were committed […]