-
Opening and closing prayer-chants 4
-
Prayer-chant unto the guruparamparāLecture1.1
-
Prayer-chant unto Bhagavān KṛṣṇaLecture1.2
-
1 a Sankalpa for the Gita Amrtam courseLecture1.3
-
Prayer-chant for the well being and prosperity of the worldLecture1.4
-
-
Bhagavad Gita Dhyaanam 6
-
1 b Freedom from seekingLecture2.1
-
1 c Bhagavad Gita Dhyaanam verse 1Lecture2.2
-
1 d Q &ALecture2.3
-
2 a Bhagavad Gita Dhyaanam (verses 2 – 4)Lecture2.4
-
2 b Bhagavad Gita Dhyaanam (verses 5 – 9)Lecture2.5
-
2 c The context of the Gita – a glimpse of the MahabharataLecture2.6
-
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 9
Chanting only of Chapter 1 by Pujya Swami Dayananda ji
-
Bhagavad Gita Ch 1Lecture3.1
-
3 a The opening of the Gita 1.1-1.9Lecture3.2
-
3 b The armies on both sides 1.10-1.20Lecture3.3
-
3 c How to study and do sadhana of VedantaLecture3.4
-
3 d Q & ALecture3.5
-
4 a The situation of Arjuna 1.21-1.35Lecture3.6
-
4 b Arjuna’s conflict and sorrow 1.36-47Lecture3.7
-
4 Gita Q & ALecture3.8
-
How to use the Slack communityLecture3.9
-
-
Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 2 - Saankhya Yoga 46
-
Bhagavad Gita Ch 2 chanting by Pujya Swami DayanandaLecture4.1
-
5 a Arjuna’s topical problem 2.1-2.7Lecture4.2
-
5 b Arjuna’s transformation from friend to shishya and request for shreyas (moksha)Lecture4.3
-
5c Q & ALecture4.4
-
Overview of the ShaastraLecture4.5
-
6 a Arjuna qualified with viveka and vairagyaLecture4.6
-
6 Q and ALecture4.7
-
7 a The teaching begins 2.11-2.13Lecture4.8
-
8 a Guided meditation (Attitude to sukha and dukha) 2.14Lecture4.9
-
8 b Who is fit for liberation 2.14-15Lecture4.10
-
8 c Satyam (and mithya) 2.16Lecture4.11
-
9 a Guided meditation (Panchamahabhutas and connectedness)Lecture4.12
-
9 b Sat – all pervasive and indestructible 2.17-18Lecture4.13
-
9 c Q & ALecture4.14
-
10 a The one who knows the Atma to be neither the karta (doer) nor the bhokta (experiencer) 2.19-20Lecture4.15
-
10 b Nature of the Atma 2.21-23Lecture4.16
-
10 c Q & A (2.19-23)Lecture4.17
-
11 a Neither Atma can be grieved for nor Anatma which is ever changing 2.25-29Lecture4.18
-
11 b Q & A and a delightful enactment of the Atma and the two bodies (sthula and sukshma sharira)Lecture4.19
-
12 a Atma is no cause for grief 2.30Lecture4.20
-
12 b Arjuna ‘s svadharma as a kshatriya (and our svadharma) 2.31-39Lecture4.21
-
12 c Q & A (Expecting moksha from being a perfect parent, Career choice, Dharma conflict etc)Lecture4.22
-
13 a Introduction to Karma Yoga and clarity on self knowledge being the solution 2.39-43Lecture4.23
-
13 b Q & A (Is samadhi experience enough? , If moksha is not my only goal 2.39-43 )Lecture4.24
-
14 a Glimpse of being a master (Atmavaan) 2.45-46Lecture4.25
-
14 b Choice in Karma but not in result (Famous verses) 2.47-48Lecture4.26
-
15 a Karma Yoga – attitude to action and its results 2.48-50Lecture4.27
-
15 b Group Discussion and insights – The classification of the day into the four pursuits – Dharma/Artha/Kaama/,MokshaLecture4.28
-
16 a Group discussion and insights – What happens when one is money/partner/work/children obsessed?Lecture4.29
-
16 b How can one have it all – money/partner/work/children? By Being Dharma centredLecture4.30
-
16 c Freedom from bondage of karma 2.51 and Q & ALecture4.31
-
17 a Karma Yoga in relationshipsLecture4.32
-
17 b How Karma Yoga helps in self knowledge, Vairagya towards alternatives and Arjuna’s question about a wise personLecture4.33
-
17 c Q & A (Managing employees, Distractedness, Clash of roles, Dealing with a dominating personLecture4.34
-
18 a Signs of a wise person and Mastery 2.56Lecture4.35
-
18 b Mastery of the mind and senses 2.57-58 (incl Q and A)Lecture4.36
-
18 c How do you feel loved? (Podcast episode link) – Supplementary listeningLecture4.37
-
19 a Mastery of the mind and senses 2.59-61Lecture4.38
-
19 b Understanding the framework of anger(Dwelling on sense object-Attachment-Anger-Loss of memory of learning-Destruction of person)Lecture4.39
-
19 c Discussion on Kaushalam and Samatvam (Duty, Road rage, Resolving misunderstanding)Lecture4.40
-
20 a Self mastery and tranquility 2.64-66Lecture4.41
-
20 b The vision of a wise person and the sadhana of self mastery (audio has some disturbances)Lecture4.42
-
20 c Q & A (Roles etc) (audio has some disturbances)Lecture4.43
-
Questions for reflection and making notes on Chapter 2 0 questionQuiz4.1
-
21 a The connection of self mastery and inner dialogue with the younger you (incl. guided meditation)Lecture4.44
-
Wrap up on Chapter 2 – Kaushalam, Clear understanding of why Vedanta is a solution, Managing a strong desire for marriage, Expectations from our childrenLecture4.45
-
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3 22
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3 chanting by Pujya Swami DayanandaLecture5.1
-
22 Arjuna ‘s doubt, ‘If knowledge is better than action why prompt me to do karma?’ 2 Lifestyles 3.1-5Lecture5.2
-
23 a Quiet appearance but false front & Why karma yoga is better than karma 3.6-7Lecture5.3
-
23 b Why karma is superior to inaction & Karma transformed into yajna 3.8-9Lecture5.4
-
23 c Q & A (How much work is too much, Objectivity wrt pursuits )Lecture5.5
-
24 a Karma as Yajna and recognition of Devatas 3.10-11Lecture5.6
-
24 b Karma as pervaded by Veda 3.12-15Lecture5.7
-
25 a Contribution to the cosmic wheel and the contentment of a wise person 3.16-18Lecture5.8
-
25 b Why perform karma, Janaka, the wise king and role models 3.19-21Lecture5.9
-
25 c Gita Q & A (Japa, Time for Vedanta, Delegation etc)Lecture5.10
-
26 a Gita 3.22-25 No karma to be done by Bhagavan but still karma is doneLecture5.11
-
26 b Gita 3.26-28 Karma impelled by Prakrti’s gunasLecture5.12
-
26 c Q and A (Dharma, Rebirth)Lecture5.13
-
27 a How can the wise person engage with those who are deluded by prakriti and its gunas and How to fight ?Lecture5.14
-
27 b The role of shraddha in learning and how prakriti affects a wise personLecture5.15
-
27 c Don’t some under the spell of ragas and dveshasLecture5.16
-
27 d Discussion – Handling Differences, Managing ragas and dveshasLecture5.17
-
28 a Svadharma is better than paradharma and the problem of (binding) desireLecture5.18
-
28 b Knowledge (as though) clouded by binding desire and Atma untouched by it allLecture5.19
-
28 c Guided meditation (Saakshi)Lecture5.20
-
28 d Discussion (Processing a situation, The 4 aspects of a mind etc )Lecture5.21
-
29 Ch 3 Discussion after small groups discussionLecture5.22
-
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4 Jnana-Karmasannyasa Yoga 30
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4 chanting by Pujya Swami DayanandaLecture6.1
-
30 a Greatness of the parampara 4.1-3Lecture6.2
-
30 b The Why and What of an Avataara 4.4-8Lecture6.3
-
30 c Gita 4.1-8 (Can a non sannyasi get jnanam and Can giving up desires lead to jnanam)Lecture6.4
-
31 Discussion on the value of Dharma by looking at AdharmaLecture6.5
-
32 a Reality of an Avataara and Levels of reality 4.9Lecture6.6
-
32 b Taking refuge in Bhagavan and his blessings 4.10-12Lecture6.7
-
32 c Gita 4.9-12 (Q and A) (Bindi, Dharma and religiosity etc)Lecture6.8
-
33 a The Four fold Varna system 4.13Lecture6.9
-
33 b Bhagavan Krishna as Karta and AkartaLecture6.10
-
33 c Gita 4.13-15 (Q & A Vrata etc )Lecture6.11
-
34 a Gita 4.16-17 What is karma and akarma?Lecture6.12
-
34 b 4.18 The vision of a wise person about karma and akarmaLecture6.13
-
34 c Gita 4.16-18 (Q & A – Work role, Healing karma etc)Lecture6.14
-
35 a Atma as akarta and abhogta (non-doer and non experiencer) 4.18-19Lecture6.15
-
35 b Aspects of Jnanam and lifestyle of grahastha and sannyasi 4.20-21Lecture6.16
-
35 c Gita 4.18-21 Q & A (Clarifications of Akarta, Vedanta as a perspective, Being assertive)Lecture6.17
-
36 Gita 4.22-25 Attitude of a wise person wrt gain/loss and life as yajnaLecture6.18
-
37 a Gita 4.26-27 Self mastery of senses as yajna and Chariot imageryLecture6.19
-
37 b Gita 4.28 Yajnas – Dravya, Yoga, Svadhyaaya etcLecture6.20
-
37 c Gita 4.26-28 (Q & A – Social media response, You are bigger than your pain etc)Lecture6.21
-
38 a Gita 4.29-30Lecture6.22
-
38 b Gita 4.31-33Lecture6.23
-
38 c Gita 4.29 – 33 (Q & A Soham, Misinterpreting the verse)Lecture6.24
-
39 a Gita 4.34 How to relate to a teacher for knowledgeLecture6.25
-
39 b Gita 4.35-38 The result of knowledge and What if one is a paapi?Lecture6.26
-
39 c Gita 4.34-38 (Q and A – Making amends etc )Lecture6.27
-
40 a Gita 4.39Lecture6.28
-
40 b Gita 4.39 contd.Lecture6.29
-
40 c Gita 4.40-4.42 (plus Q and A)Lecture6.30
-
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5 Sannyasa Yoga 20
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5 chantingLecture7.1
-
41 a Gita 5.1-3 Sannyasa or Karma Yoga – Which is better? aLecture7.2
-
41 b Gita 5.4 Are Sannyasa and Karma Yoga same?Lecture7.3
-
41 c Assignment on Identifying Life prioritiesLecture7.4
-
42 Discussion on Life prioritiesLecture7.5
-
43 a The goal of Sannyasa and Karma Yoga as a lifestyle is oneLecture7.6
-
43 b Vision of a wise person despite performing actionsLecture7.7
-
43 c Gita 5.5-9 Reflections and discussionLecture7.8
-
44 a Gita 5.10 The wise one who is not affectedLecture7.9
-
44 b Gita 5.11-12 How do karma yogis perform karmaLecture7.10
-
44 c Gita 5.13-14 Where does the wise being live and how?Lecture7.11
-
45 a Gita 5.15-16 Atma is not affected by punya/paapaLecture7.12
-
45 b Gita 5.17 Levels of commitmentLecture7.13
-
45 c Gita 5.18 How does the wise person look upon a Brahmana, a cow etc Q & ALecture7.14
-
46 a Gita 5.19-20 Freedom from the cycle of birth and death and extremes of emotionLecture7.15
-
46 b Gita 5.21-23 The gain of happiness that does not change and the transitory nature of experiential happinessLecture7.16
-
46 c Gita 5.19-23 Q & ALecture7.17
-
47 a Gita 5.24-25 Videha mukti and the sukha of a wise personLecture7.18
-
47 b Gita 5.27-29 Introduction to Dhyaanam and AikyamLecture7.19
-
47 c Gita 5.24-29 Q & A (Imp of Asana, Desire fulfilment,Lecture7.20
-
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6 Dhyaana Yoga 15
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6 chantingLecture8.1
-
48 Gita 6.1-3 Who is a Sannyasi and a yogi?Lecture8.2
-
49 Gita 6.4 Yogi has freedom from dependenceLecture8.3
-
49 b Gita 6.5-6 Being a friend to oneselfLecture8.4
-
50 a Gita 6.7 Being a jitatma and free from oppositesLecture8.5
-
50 b Gita 6.8-9 A yogi ‘s attitude towards objects and peopleLecture8.6
-
51 a Gita 6.10 The preparation of Karma Yoga for a meditatorLecture8.7
-
51 b Gita 6.11-14 Initial preparatory steps (place, asana etc)Lecture8.8
-
52 Gita 6.15 Who is an accomplished personLecture8.9
-
53 Gita 6.19-20 The mind of a yogiLecture8.10
-
54 Gita 6.21-23 Reveling in oneself and Dissociation from the association with sorrow (3rd definition of Karma Yoga)Lecture8.11
-
55 Gita 6.24 – 28 Dissociation from the association with sorrow and benefits of DhyaanamLecture8.12
-
56 Gita 6.29 – 30 The vision of oneness/samenessLecture8.13
-
57 Gita 6.31-34 The wise person and Arjuna’s question about not seeing the visionLecture8.14
-
58 Gita 6.36 – 47 What happens to one who did not complete his Vedanta journey and praise of a yogi?Lecture8.15
-
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7 Jnana-Vijnana Yoga 16
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7 Chanting by Pujya Swami DayanandaLecture9.1
-
59 Gita 7.1-7.6 Introduction to Indirect and Immediate knowledgeLecture9.2
-
59b Gita 7.4 – 7.6 Nature of IshvaraLecture9.3
-
60a Gita 7.7 – 7.9 Manifestations of IshvaraLecture9.4
-
60b Gita 7.10-11 Manifestations of Ishvara contd.Lecture9.5
-
60c Gita 7.7-11 Q and ALecture9.6
-
61a Gita 7.12-14 Mayashakti and crossing over MayaLecture9.7
-
61b Gita 7.15-17 Four Types of devoteesLecture9.8
-
61c Gita 7.12-17 Q and ALecture9.9
-
62 Gita 7.16 Four kinds of devotees and their world viewLecture9.10
-
62b Gita 7.18-20 Which among the devotees is one with IshvaraLecture9.11
-
62c Gita 7.18-20 Q and A (Why more don’t take to Vedanta, Readiness, Journey of a Jijnasu etc)Lecture9.12
-
63a Gita 7.21-22 How Bhagavan makes the shraddha strongerLecture9.13
-
63b Gita 7.23-25 Why and what do people not know about Bhagavan?Lecture9.14
-
63c Gita 7.21-25 Q and A (How shraddha for rituals grows)Lecture9.15
-
64 Gita 7.26-30 How do devotees seek Bhagavan?Lecture9.16
-
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8 Akshara Brahman Yoga 17
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8 Chanting by Pujya Swami DayanandaLecture10.1
-
65 a Summary of first seven chaptersLecture10.2
-
65 b Gita 8.1-5 Arjuna’s question about Brahman and what happens when a person diesLecture10.3
-
65 c Gita 8.1-5 Q and ALecture10.4
-
66 a Gita 8.5-8.6 Whom to remember before dying ?Lecture10.5
-
66b Gita 8.7-9 How to remember Bhagavan?Lecture10.6
-
66c Gita 8.5-9 Q and A Grieving and HealingLecture10.7
-
67 a Gita 8.10-13 How to give up the body (for a yogi and jnani)?Lecture10.8
-
67b Gita 8.14-15 How to reach Bhagavan and what happens after that?Lecture10.9
-
67c Gita 8.10 – 15 Q and ALecture10.10
-
68 a Gita 8.16-18 The lifespan of Brahmaji and the nature of the lokasLecture10.11
-
68 b Gita 8.19-21 The play of manifest and unmanifestLecture10.12
-
68 c Gita 8.16-21 Q and ALecture10.13
-
69 a Gita 8.22-24 Who is the limitless purusha and where do meditators of Brahmaloka go?Lecture10.14
-
69 b Gita 8.25-28 Where do karmis, mere ritualists go after death and who finally reaches Brahman?Lecture10.15
-
69 c Gita 8.22-27 Q and ALecture10.16
-
70 a Gita Ch 8 Q and A (post death rituals)Lecture10.17
-
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 9 Rajavidya Rajaguhya Yoga 20
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 9 Chanting by Pujya Swami DayanandaLecture11.1
-
70 b Gita 9.1-2 What is the King of Knowledge and the King of Secrets and why?Lecture11.2
-
71 a Gita 9.3 What is required for the knowledge and what happens to those who don’t seek it?Lecture11.3
-
71 b Gita 9.4-5 Satyam (and Mithya)Lecture11.4
-
71 c Gita 9.3-5 Gita (Q and A)Lecture11.5
-
72 a Gita 9.6-8 Nature of Ishvara (and Maya shakti)Lecture11.6
-
72 b Gita Despite manifesting Ishvara is unchangingLecture11.7
-
72 c Gita 9.6-10 (Q and A)Lecture11.8
-
73 a Gita 9.11-12 What happens to the ones who do not recognise Bhagavan as the lord of all beings?Lecture11.9
-
73 b Gita 9.13-14 Qualities of the ones who seek Bhagavan ?Lecture11.10
-
73 c Gita 9.11-14 Q and ALecture11.11
-
74 a Gita 9.15-17 How to worship Bhagavan with jnana-yajna?Lecture11.12
-
74 b Gita 9.18-21 How Bhagavan is one and distinct & What happens to people who go to svarga ?Lecture11.13
-
74 c Gita 9.15 – 21 (Q and A – People who don’t have viveka, what to do when a person is bitter etc)Lecture11.14
-
75 a Gita 9.22 How does Bhagavan support the jnani/mumukshu?Lecture11.15
-
75 b Gita 9.23-26 Devotees who are committed to different ends and not Bhagavan; Bhagavan ‘s acceptance of the smallest offeringLecture11.16
-
75 c Gita 9.22-26 Q and A (Bhagavan-Sakshi/experiencer)Lecture11.17
-
76 a Gita 9.27-28 Which actions to offer to Bhagavan and the resulting maturity from this attitudeLecture11.18
-
76 b Gita 9.29-32 ‘I am the same in all’ and different groups of people can still gain BhagavanLecture11.19
-
76 c Gita 9.33-34 and Q and A The level of commitment in seeking BhagavanLecture11.20
-
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 10 Vibhuti Yoga 22
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 10 Vibhutih Yoga (Chanting by Pujya Swami Dayananda)Lecture12.1
-
77a Gita 10.1-3 Introduction to the glories of BhagavanLecture12.2
-
77b Gita 10.4-5 All dispositions and emotions are from BhagavanLecture12.3
-
77c Gita 10.1-5 Q and A (Sadhana in Vedanta, Doing the right thing as jury, When people think you should not forgive etc )Lecture12.4
-
78a Gita 10.6-7 Knowing the vibhuti of BhagavanLecture12.5
-
78b Gita 10.8-9 What do wise people know about me and how does it show in their life?Lecture12.6
-
78c Gita 10.6-9 Q and A (Vegetarianism, Socialising/Social pressure etc)Lecture12.7
-
79a Gita 10.10-11 Whom does Bhagavan give knowledge to and what does he destroy?Lecture12.8
-
79b Gita 10.12-19 Arjuna summarising his understanding of Bhagavan and making a requestLecture12.9
-
79c Gita 10.10-19 Q and A (sharing of one’s life vibhutis and the question of creation)Lecture12.10
-
80a Gita 10.20 Aham AtmaLecture12.11
-
80b Gita The conscious being is free from roles (Guided meditation)Lecture12.12
-
80c Gita 10.20 Q and A (Responses to meditation etc)Lecture12.13
-
81a Gita 10.21-23 Bhagavan’s vibhutis beginLecture12.14
-
81b Gita 10.24-26 Bhagavan’s vibhutis continueLecture12.15
-
81c Gita 10.21-26 Q and A (Balance, Japa, Samskaaras, Where do thoughts come from?)Lecture12.16
-
82a Gita 10.27-29 Bhagavan’s vibhutis – Uchhaishravasa till Yama who disciplinesLecture12.17
-
82b Gita 10.30-32 Bhagavan’s vibhutis – Prahlada till Vada-discussionLecture12.18
-
82c Gita 10.27-32 Q and A (the how of creation, the why of Bhagavan Krishna’s list)Lecture12.19
-
83a Gita 10.33-35 Vibhutis – A among the letters till the Spring seasonLecture12.20
-
83b Gita 10.36-42 Vibhutis – Game of dice etc All vibhutis are meLecture12.21
-
83c Gita Vibhuti garland of blessingLecture12.22
-
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11 Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga 3
This content is protected, please login and enroll course to view this content!
1 Comment
So far, we have looked at श्लोक-s १-८ | We saw the discussion of अवतार/divine incarnation, including the purpose of अवतार |
भगवान् श्री कृष्ण: says-
धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय सम्भवामि युगे युगे ॥ ८॥ ~ For the establishment of धर्म, I come into being in every युग |
Time is cyclical, and consists of 4 युग-s ~ सत्ययुग, त्रेतायुग, द्वापरयुग, कलियुग | Each युग spans several 1000 years (see PDF document on this on Gita Amrtam tab on Slack).
And with the passage of time, धर्म will decline and be at its worse in कलियुग |
Generally, an अवतार comes at the end or beginning of a युग, and so भगवान् श्री कृष्ण: has come at this time i.e. at the end of द्वापरयुग |
And, what can one अवतार do? An अवतार can destroy अधर्म in the hearts of many people by the अवतार’s Teachings. And if one recognizes the value of धर्म, then our institutions will become धार्मिक् i.e. our families, schools, judiciary, executive, government. At all levels, all institutions- companies, corporates, non-profit organizations. Because a company, or a society is not an amorphous abstract entity; it is made up of people like us. Therefore, if the people who constitute and run the institutions are धार्मिक्, then it will help to promote the happiness, well-being & welfare of the cause that they serve.
People often complain about different institutions including our own companies. But who works in that company? Therefore, one should not behave helplessly, as if one can do nothing about it.
However, many times we operate out of fear. E.g. in the workplace there is a collapse of work boundaries with one expected to be available 24/7 to take calls. And one does not bring up this matter, because of the fear of the loss of my job. This lifestyle is not feasible, as then everyone gets burnt-out and then quit the position/sector/company. Or, one starts a new company, or scales down one’s lifestyle. So then who bells the cat? Because working 16-18-hour days is not sustainable in the long-run.
Even if one is a CEO with a lot of drive/passion for work, this one-dimensional focus is not conducive to a healthy family life etc.
Therefore this धर्मसंस्थापन (establishment of धर्म ) is really us recognizing the value of the value. E.g. I have to see what living the value of अहिंसा (causing the least injury) does for me. And I also have to recognize the corollaries of this. For instance, when I cause violence or violence is caused to me through words or actions, then what is the result? So, for each value we should examine what is the result of the lack of the value.
1. अहिंसा ~ What is the result of हिंसा on me and others~ family, extended community.
Group Discussion –
Physical – Bodily harm to oneself/others with loss of limb/life; loss of opportunities in life, loss of one’s livelihood.
Mental – Can affect one’s self esteem, with loss of trust in oneself, God, society, others. There is resentment towards the other person, and towards one’s own life. There may also be the feeling of intense rage with the desire for retaliation.
Spiritual – There is कर्म-bondage between the perpetrator & the recipient.
A violent episode pulls the perpetrator towards अधर्म and away from सत्त्व |
Intellectual – Then, violence distorts the recipient’s thinking. One compares oneself to others and wonders, why did this happen to me~ ‘why me’ and not someone else?
Another viewpoint on intellectual हिंसा is that one thinks it’s ‘my way or the highway’ with a missed chance for creative teamwork opportunity.
2. सत्यम् ~ What is the result of असत्यम्/lies on me and others.
Group Discussion –
The effect of lies is a loss of connection due to a lack of trust.
It leads to a loss of credibility for the person who speaks the untruth, and it affects one’s reputation in the long run.
असत्यम् leads to conflict for the victim of the untruth- external, as well as internal conflict.
There is also internal conflict for the person who speaks the untruth, due to that inner voice of धर्म, with the litmus test being a sleepless night.
3. अस्तेयम् ~ non-stealing. What is the result of stealing ideas, property, wealth.
Group Discussion –
Impact on others- One ends up hurting the other and losing relationships. Anger & resentment is created in the other person from whom one has stolen property/money/ideas. One loses respect in the other person’s eyes.
Impact on self- If the person is aware that stealing is wrong, but still does it out of habit then one loses peace of mind, and respect in one’s own eyes.
However, if one is unaware that stealing is wrong, maybe because one started at such a young age and was not corrected, then one may not have the moral compass of धर्म guiding but instead be living in an illusionary world that what one is doing is okay. E.g. Duryodhana believed that asking for the entire kingdom was right, because he was disconnected with his धर्म |
Additionally, when one steals, one robs oneself of the opportunity to gain that thing by धार्मिक् means. E.g. if one works in a team and steals another’s idea, then one loses the opportunity for oneself to gather that on one’s own.
4. शौचम् ~ external and internal cleanliness.
Group Discussion –
Physical & External & Internal –
Self-cleanliness avoids disease. External शौचम् involves keeping the environment & house clean. The impact of अशौचम् is the lack of environmental harmony and the spread of disease.
Uncleanliness comes from clutter & hoarding. This can be a symptom of incompleteness. The object has already served its purpose, but the emotional feeling associated with it is still there, so there is that attachment and so one hoards. Therefore, this external clutter is associated with cobwebs of the mind, which further drives internal अशौचम् of emotions and thoughts, e.g. greed, anger, jealousy.
Then in turn, this internal अशौचम् affects one’s external interactions in one’s relationships and reactions/responses.
Also, when one binge watches certain media, it affects one’s response to a given situation. E.g. if I watch an anxiety-provoking show, one’s immediate reaction to a situation may be anxiety.
शौचम् is in keeping with कर्म योग बुद्धि: and one’s स्वधर्म |
Overall, the cleaner the water (one’s mind), the sun shines better on it.
And so, we remember Marie Kondo’s decluttering motto ~ keep things that spark joy.
5. इन्द्रियनिग्रह (mastery/discipline over sense organs)
Group Discussion –
There is an intimate connection between इन्द्रियनिग्रह and doing what is right i.e. one’s स्वधर्म |
If one has strong likes & dislikes, and one is unable to control the senses, how does this impact me?
This can create a chaotic feeling, and lots of drama since there is the insistence that circumstances be a certain way in accordance with my likes/dislikes. Additionally, there is no inner orientation to धर्म as it is blocked by strong रागद्वेष | And so one feels disturbed with resultant anxiety & depression, because one’s happiness is tied to the fulfillment of the रागद्वेष through the sense organs, e.g. I must have my potatoes cooked a certain way, or else!
Also, depending on one’s role, इन्द्रियनिग्रह may have further import. For instance, a mother is a role model to her kids, so her lack of restraint can have an impact on her kids. In this example, the lack of fulfillment of the mother’s role due to lack of इन्द्रियनिग्रह can have further impact on the kids with resultant fragmented and unsafe feelings in the kids.
Also, at work a lack of इन्द्रियनिग्रह can have an impact with one being disorganized as one’s senses leads them outwards to check Facebook, instead of working on the task at hand.
6. स्वाध्याय (study of the शास्त्र)
Group Discussion –
Without स्वाध्याय one does not turn inwards, one continues with an external pursuit.
One would be intolerant, impatient, and have wrong perspectives that would not be corrected.
Such persons may be धार्मिक् in life, but since not pursuing वेदान्त, the understanding of one’s true nature never comes.
Important is learning under a गुरु | One will not get the correct understanding without a गुरु | For instance one may not have the कर्म योग understanding that I am a contributor and not the controller of a result.
Additionally, one may have certain limitations that one is unable to accept/overcome, and so face issues with self-acceptance. This essential problem cannot be overcome without a गुरु |
7. संतोष: (contentment). The opposite of this is that one is never satisfied. There may be the thinking that ambition is everything.
Group Discussion –
The result of a lack of संतोष: is never being satisfied with me or with others.
Work – One is never satisfied with one’s performance and feels the constant need to change. Also, the boss is never satisfied with the work done and so one is forced to do more.
Family – Despite loving family members, there seems to always be some discontentment with the need to change others.
Devoting oneself to others – There may be the feeling of personal dissatisfaction with how much I am able to give to others.
संतोष is an important value for कर्म योग, as if we always put ourselves under stress, then with an agitated/restless mind we cannot enjoy what we have. There is the feeling that I need to do more to get more, so the mind is not relaxed. And the restless mind can lead to lack of focus when one tries to do other tasks objectively, and so there is overall anxiety.
And from the कर्म योग perspective, by doing what needs to be done with a contented & satisfied mind, then the vision of ईश्वर and the acceptance of any results becomes more possible.
8. दया (compassion). The opposite of kindness is cruelty/harshness.
Group Discussion –
Compassion is a value which should be practiced by one as well as others. With the practice of compassion, there is the expectation of reciprocal compassion.
But, many times this may not be the case. So, how does one deal with this? Because one cannot force another to be compassionate to one.
Only by the practice of कर्म योग बुद्धि: can one accept this non-compassion.
An additional point was that compassion to other living beings e.g. animals & Mother Nature is needed. Compassion is not only towards human beings.
So, it is important to understand the implications of these values.
For instance, unless I see the effect of when I/another speaks a lie, and so fully grasp the value, then the value of सत्यम् remains a moralistic injunction to me, and then I tend to abstract the value and do not apply the value to myself or my situation.
So, one should see the effect of what अधर्म does to me. Only then do I implement धर्म because I recognize for myself that अधर्म is not working for me, or for the other.
ॐ