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Opening and closing prayer-chants 4
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Prayer-chant unto the guruparamparāLecture1.1
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Prayer-chant unto Bhagavān KṛṣṇaLecture1.2
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1 a Sankalpa for the Gita Amrtam courseLecture1.3
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Prayer-chant for the well being and prosperity of the worldLecture1.4
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Bhagavad Gita Dhyaanam 6
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1 b Freedom from seekingLecture2.1
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1 c Bhagavad Gita Dhyaanam verse 1Lecture2.2
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1 d Q &ALecture2.3
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2 a Bhagavad Gita Dhyaanam (verses 2 – 4)Lecture2.4
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2 b Bhagavad Gita Dhyaanam (verses 5 – 9)Lecture2.5
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2 c The context of the Gita – a glimpse of the MahabharataLecture2.6
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Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 9
Chanting only of Chapter 1 by Pujya Swami Dayananda ji
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Bhagavad Gita Ch 1Lecture3.1
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3 a The opening of the Gita 1.1-1.9Lecture3.2
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3 b The armies on both sides 1.10-1.20Lecture3.3
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3 c How to study and do sadhana of VedantaLecture3.4
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3 d Q & ALecture3.5
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4 a The situation of Arjuna 1.21-1.35Lecture3.6
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4 b Arjuna’s conflict and sorrow 1.36-47Lecture3.7
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4 Gita Q & ALecture3.8
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How to use the Slack communityLecture3.9
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Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 2 - Saankhya Yoga 46
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Bhagavad Gita Ch 2 chanting by Pujya Swami DayanandaLecture4.1
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5 a Arjuna’s topical problem 2.1-2.7Lecture4.2
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5 b Arjuna’s transformation from friend to shishya and request for shreyas (moksha)Lecture4.3
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5c Q & ALecture4.4
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Overview of the ShaastraLecture4.5
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6 a Arjuna qualified with viveka and vairagyaLecture4.6
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6 Q and ALecture4.7
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7 a The teaching begins 2.11-2.13Lecture4.8
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8 a Guided meditation (Attitude to sukha and dukha) 2.14Lecture4.9
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8 b Who is fit for liberation 2.14-15Lecture4.10
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8 c Satyam (and mithya) 2.16Lecture4.11
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9 a Guided meditation (Panchamahabhutas and connectedness)Lecture4.12
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9 b Sat – all pervasive and indestructible 2.17-18Lecture4.13
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9 c Q & ALecture4.14
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10 a The one who knows the Atma to be neither the karta (doer) nor the bhokta (experiencer) 2.19-20Lecture4.15
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10 b Nature of the Atma 2.21-23Lecture4.16
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10 c Q & A (2.19-23)Lecture4.17
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11 a Neither Atma can be grieved for nor Anatma which is ever changing 2.25-29Lecture4.18
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11 b Q & A and a delightful enactment of the Atma and the two bodies (sthula and sukshma sharira)Lecture4.19
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12 a Atma is no cause for grief 2.30Lecture4.20
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12 b Arjuna ‘s svadharma as a kshatriya (and our svadharma) 2.31-39Lecture4.21
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12 c Q & A (Expecting moksha from being a perfect parent, Career choice, Dharma conflict etc)Lecture4.22
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13 a Introduction to Karma Yoga and clarity on self knowledge being the solution 2.39-43Lecture4.23
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13 b Q & A (Is samadhi experience enough? , If moksha is not my only goal 2.39-43 )Lecture4.24
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14 a Glimpse of being a master (Atmavaan) 2.45-46Lecture4.25
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14 b Choice in Karma but not in result (Famous verses) 2.47-48Lecture4.26
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15 a Karma Yoga – attitude to action and its results 2.48-50Lecture4.27
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15 b Group Discussion and insights – The classification of the day into the four pursuits – Dharma/Artha/Kaama/,MokshaLecture4.28
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16 a Group discussion and insights – What happens when one is money/partner/work/children obsessed?Lecture4.29
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16 b How can one have it all – money/partner/work/children? By Being Dharma centredLecture4.30
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16 c Freedom from bondage of karma 2.51 and Q & ALecture4.31
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17 a Karma Yoga in relationshipsLecture4.32
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17 b How Karma Yoga helps in self knowledge, Vairagya towards alternatives and Arjuna’s question about a wise personLecture4.33
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17 c Q & A (Managing employees, Distractedness, Clash of roles, Dealing with a dominating personLecture4.34
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18 a Signs of a wise person and Mastery 2.56Lecture4.35
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18 b Mastery of the mind and senses 2.57-58 (incl Q and A)Lecture4.36
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18 c How do you feel loved? (Podcast episode link) – Supplementary listeningLecture4.37
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19 a Mastery of the mind and senses 2.59-61Lecture4.38
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19 b Understanding the framework of anger(Dwelling on sense object-Attachment-Anger-Loss of memory of learning-Destruction of person)Lecture4.39
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19 c Discussion on Kaushalam and Samatvam (Duty, Road rage, Resolving misunderstanding)Lecture4.40
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20 a Self mastery and tranquility 2.64-66Lecture4.41
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20 b The vision of a wise person and the sadhana of self mastery (audio has some disturbances)Lecture4.42
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20 c Q & A (Roles etc) (audio has some disturbances)Lecture4.43
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Questions for reflection and making notes on Chapter 2 0 questionQuiz4.1
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21 a The connection of self mastery and inner dialogue with the younger you (incl. guided meditation)Lecture4.44
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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
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Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3 22
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Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3 chanting by Pujya Swami DayanandaLecture5.1
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22 Arjuna ‘s doubt, ‘If knowledge is better than action why prompt me to do karma?’ 2 Lifestyles 3.1-5Lecture5.2
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23 a Quiet appearance but false front & Why karma yoga is better than karma 3.6-7Lecture5.3
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23 b Why karma is superior to inaction & Karma transformed into yajna 3.8-9Lecture5.4
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23 c Q & A (How much work is too much, Objectivity wrt pursuits )Lecture5.5
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24 a Karma as Yajna and recognition of Devatas 3.10-11Lecture5.6
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24 b Karma as pervaded by Veda 3.12-15Lecture5.7
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25 a Contribution to the cosmic wheel and the contentment of a wise person 3.16-18Lecture5.8
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25 b Why perform karma, Janaka, the wise king and role models 3.19-21Lecture5.9
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25 c Gita Q & A (Japa, Time for Vedanta, Delegation etc)Lecture5.10
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26 a Gita 3.22-25 No karma to be done by Bhagavan but still karma is doneLecture5.11
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26 b Gita 3.26-28 Karma impelled by Prakrti’s gunasLecture5.12
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26 c Q and A (Dharma, Rebirth)Lecture5.13
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27 a How can the wise person engage with those who are deluded by prakriti and its gunas and How to fight ?Lecture5.14
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27 b The role of shraddha in learning and how prakriti affects a wise personLecture5.15
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27 c Don’t some under the spell of ragas and dveshasLecture5.16
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27 d Discussion – Handling Differences, Managing ragas and dveshasLecture5.17
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28 a Svadharma is better than paradharma and the problem of (binding) desireLecture5.18
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28 b Knowledge (as though) clouded by binding desire and Atma untouched by it allLecture5.19
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28 c Guided meditation (Saakshi)Lecture5.20
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28 d Discussion (Processing a situation, The 4 aspects of a mind etc )Lecture5.21
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29 Ch 3 Discussion after small groups discussionLecture5.22
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Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4 Jnana-Karmasannyasa Yoga 30
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Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4 chanting by Pujya Swami DayanandaLecture6.1
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30 a Greatness of the parampara 4.1-3Lecture6.2
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30 b The Why and What of an Avataara 4.4-8Lecture6.3
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30 c Gita 4.1-8 (Can a non sannyasi get jnanam and Can giving up desires lead to jnanam)Lecture6.4
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31 Discussion on the value of Dharma by looking at AdharmaLecture6.5
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32 a Reality of an Avataara and Levels of reality 4.9Lecture6.6
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32 b Taking refuge in Bhagavan and his blessings 4.10-12Lecture6.7
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32 c Gita 4.9-12 (Q and A) (Bindi, Dharma and religiosity etc)Lecture6.8
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33 a The Four fold Varna system 4.13Lecture6.9
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33 b Bhagavan Krishna as Karta and AkartaLecture6.10
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33 c Gita 4.13-15 (Q & A Vrata etc )Lecture6.11
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34 a Gita 4.16-17 What is karma and akarma?Lecture6.12
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34 b 4.18 The vision of a wise person about karma and akarmaLecture6.13
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34 c Gita 4.16-18 (Q & A – Work role, Healing karma etc)Lecture6.14
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35 a Atma as akarta and abhogta (non-doer and non experiencer) 4.18-19Lecture6.15
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35 b Aspects of Jnanam and lifestyle of grahastha and sannyasi 4.20-21Lecture6.16
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35 c Gita 4.18-21 Q & A (Clarifications of Akarta, Vedanta as a perspective, Being assertive)Lecture6.17
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36 Gita 4.22-25 Attitude of a wise person wrt gain/loss and life as yajnaLecture6.18
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37 a Gita 4.26-27 Self mastery of senses as yajna and Chariot imageryLecture6.19
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37 b Gita 4.28 Yajnas – Dravya, Yoga, Svadhyaaya etcLecture6.20
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37 c Gita 4.26-28 (Q & A – Social media response, You are bigger than your pain etc)Lecture6.21
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38 a Gita 4.29-30Lecture6.22
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38 b Gita 4.31-33Lecture6.23
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38 c Gita 4.29 – 33 (Q & A Soham, Misinterpreting the verse)Lecture6.24
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39 a Gita 4.34 How to relate to a teacher for knowledgeLecture6.25
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39 b Gita 4.35-38 The result of knowledge and What if one is a paapi?Lecture6.26
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39 c Gita 4.34-38 (Q and A – Making amends etc )Lecture6.27
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40 a Gita 4.39Lecture6.28
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40 b Gita 4.39 contd.Lecture6.29
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40 c Gita 4.40-4.42 (plus Q and A)Lecture6.30
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Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5 Sannyasa Yoga 20
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Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5 chantingLecture7.1
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41 a Gita 5.1-3 Sannyasa or Karma Yoga – Which is better? aLecture7.2
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41 b Gita 5.4 Are Sannyasa and Karma Yoga same?Lecture7.3
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41 c Assignment on Identifying Life prioritiesLecture7.4
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42 Discussion on Life prioritiesLecture7.5
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43 a The goal of Sannyasa and Karma Yoga as a lifestyle is oneLecture7.6
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43 b Vision of a wise person despite performing actionsLecture7.7
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43 c Gita 5.5-9 Reflections and discussionLecture7.8
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44 a Gita 5.10 The wise one who is not affectedLecture7.9
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44 b Gita 5.11-12 How do karma yogis perform karmaLecture7.10
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44 c Gita 5.13-14 Where does the wise being live and how?Lecture7.11
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45 a Gita 5.15-16 Atma is not affected by punya/paapaLecture7.12
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45 b Gita 5.17 Levels of commitmentLecture7.13
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45 c Gita 5.18 How does the wise person look upon a Brahmana, a cow etc Q & ALecture7.14
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46 a Gita 5.19-20 Freedom from the cycle of birth and death and extremes of emotionLecture7.15
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46 b Gita 5.21-23 The gain of happiness that does not change and the transitory nature of experiential happinessLecture7.16
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46 c Gita 5.19-23 Q & ALecture7.17
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47 a Gita 5.24-25 Videha mukti and the sukha of a wise personLecture7.18
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47 b Gita 5.27-29 Introduction to Dhyaanam and AikyamLecture7.19
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47 c Gita 5.24-29 Q & A (Imp of Asana, Desire fulfilment,Lecture7.20
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Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6 Dhyaana Yoga 15
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Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6 chantingLecture8.1
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48 Gita 6.1-3 Who is a Sannyasi and a yogi?Lecture8.2
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49 Gita 6.4 Yogi has freedom from dependenceLecture8.3
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49 b Gita 6.5-6 Being a friend to oneselfLecture8.4
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50 a Gita 6.7 Being a jitatma and free from oppositesLecture8.5
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50 b Gita 6.8-9 A yogi ‘s attitude towards objects and peopleLecture8.6
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51 a Gita 6.10 The preparation of Karma Yoga for a meditatorLecture8.7
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51 b Gita 6.11-14 Initial preparatory steps (place, asana etc)Lecture8.8
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52 Gita 6.15 Who is an accomplished personLecture8.9
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53 Gita 6.19-20 The mind of a yogiLecture8.10
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54 Gita 6.21-23 Reveling in oneself and Dissociation from the association with sorrow (3rd definition of Karma Yoga)Lecture8.11
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55 Gita 6.24 – 28 Dissociation from the association with sorrow and benefits of DhyaanamLecture8.12
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56 Gita 6.29 – 30 The vision of oneness/samenessLecture8.13
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57 Gita 6.31-34 The wise person and Arjuna’s question about not seeing the visionLecture8.14
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58 Gita 6.36 – 47 What happens to one who did not complete his Vedanta journey and praise of a yogi?Lecture8.15
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Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7 Jnana-Vijnana Yoga 16
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Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7 Chanting by Pujya Swami DayanandaLecture9.1
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59 Gita 7.1-7.6 Introduction to Indirect and Immediate knowledgeLecture9.2
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59b Gita 7.4 – 7.6 Nature of IshvaraLecture9.3
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60a Gita 7.7 – 7.9 Manifestations of IshvaraLecture9.4
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60b Gita 7.10-11 Manifestations of Ishvara contd.Lecture9.5
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60c Gita 7.7-11 Q and ALecture9.6
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61a Gita 7.12-14 Mayashakti and crossing over MayaLecture9.7
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61b Gita 7.15-17 Four Types of devoteesLecture9.8
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61c Gita 7.12-17 Q and ALecture9.9
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62 Gita 7.16 Four kinds of devotees and their world viewLecture9.10
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62b Gita 7.18-20 Which among the devotees is one with IshvaraLecture9.11
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62c Gita 7.18-20 Q and A (Why more don’t take to Vedanta, Readiness, Journey of a Jijnasu etc)Lecture9.12
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63a Gita 7.21-22 How Bhagavan makes the shraddha strongerLecture9.13
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63b Gita 7.23-25 Why and what do people not know about Bhagavan?Lecture9.14
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63c Gita 7.21-25 Q and A (How shraddha for rituals grows)Lecture9.15
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64 Gita 7.26-30 How do devotees seek Bhagavan?Lecture9.16
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Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8 Akshara Brahman Yoga 17
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Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8 Chanting by Pujya Swami DayanandaLecture10.1
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65 a Summary of first seven chaptersLecture10.2
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65 b Gita 8.1-5 Arjuna’s question about Brahman and what happens when a person diesLecture10.3
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65 c Gita 8.1-5 Q and ALecture10.4
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66 a Gita 8.5-8.6 Whom to remember before dying ?Lecture10.5
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66b Gita 8.7-9 How to remember Bhagavan?Lecture10.6
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66c Gita 8.5-9 Q and A Grieving and HealingLecture10.7
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67 a Gita 8.10-13 How to give up the body (for a yogi and jnani)?Lecture10.8
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67b Gita 8.14-15 How to reach Bhagavan and what happens after that?Lecture10.9
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67c Gita 8.10 – 15 Q and ALecture10.10
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68 a Gita 8.16-18 The lifespan of Brahmaji and the nature of the lokasLecture10.11
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68 b Gita 8.19-21 The play of manifest and unmanifestLecture10.12
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68 c Gita 8.16-21 Q and ALecture10.13
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69 a Gita 8.22-24 Who is the limitless purusha and where do meditators of Brahmaloka go?Lecture10.14
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69 b Gita 8.25-28 Where do karmis, mere ritualists go after death and who finally reaches Brahman?Lecture10.15
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69 c Gita 8.22-27 Q and ALecture10.16
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70 a Gita Ch 8 Q and A (post death rituals)Lecture10.17
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Bhagavad Gita Chapter 9 Rajavidya Rajaguhya Yoga 20
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Bhagavad Gita Chapter 9 Chanting by Pujya Swami DayanandaLecture11.1
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70 b Gita 9.1-2 What is the King of Knowledge and the King of Secrets and why?Lecture11.2
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71 a Gita 9.3 What is required for the knowledge and what happens to those who don’t seek it?Lecture11.3
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71 b Gita 9.4-5 Satyam (and Mithya)Lecture11.4
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71 c Gita 9.3-5 Gita (Q and A)Lecture11.5
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72 a Gita 9.6-8 Nature of Ishvara (and Maya shakti)Lecture11.6
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72 b Gita Despite manifesting Ishvara is unchangingLecture11.7
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72 c Gita 9.6-10 (Q and A)Lecture11.8
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73 a Gita 9.11-12 What happens to the ones who do not recognise Bhagavan as the lord of all beings?Lecture11.9
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73 b Gita 9.13-14 Qualities of the ones who seek Bhagavan ?Lecture11.10
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73 c Gita 9.11-14 Q and ALecture11.11
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74 a Gita 9.15-17 How to worship Bhagavan with jnana-yajna?Lecture11.12
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74 b Gita 9.18-21 How Bhagavan is one and distinct & What happens to people who go to svarga ?Lecture11.13
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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
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75 a Gita 9.22 How does Bhagavan support the jnani/mumukshu?Lecture11.15
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75 b Gita 9.23-26 Devotees who are committed to different ends and not Bhagavan; Bhagavan ‘s acceptance of the smallest offeringLecture11.16
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75 c Gita 9.22-26 Q and A (Bhagavan-Sakshi/experiencer)Lecture11.17
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76 a Gita 9.27-28 Which actions to offer to Bhagavan and the resulting maturity from this attitudeLecture11.18
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76 b Gita 9.29-32 ‘I am the same in all’ and different groups of people can still gain BhagavanLecture11.19
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76 c Gita 9.33-34 and Q and A The level of commitment in seeking BhagavanLecture11.20
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Bhagavad Gita Chapter 10 Vibhuti Yoga 22
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Bhagavad Gita Chapter 10 Vibhutih Yoga (Chanting by Pujya Swami Dayananda)Lecture12.1
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77a Gita 10.1-3 Introduction to the glories of BhagavanLecture12.2
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77b Gita 10.4-5 All dispositions and emotions are from BhagavanLecture12.3
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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
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78a Gita 10.6-7 Knowing the vibhuti of BhagavanLecture12.5
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78b Gita 10.8-9 What do wise people know about me and how does it show in their life?Lecture12.6
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78c Gita 10.6-9 Q and A (Vegetarianism, Socialising/Social pressure etc)Lecture12.7
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79a Gita 10.10-11 Whom does Bhagavan give knowledge to and what does he destroy?Lecture12.8
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79b Gita 10.12-19 Arjuna summarising his understanding of Bhagavan and making a requestLecture12.9
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79c Gita 10.10-19 Q and A (sharing of one’s life vibhutis and the question of creation)Lecture12.10
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80a Gita 10.20 Aham AtmaLecture12.11
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80b Gita The conscious being is free from roles (Guided meditation)Lecture12.12
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80c Gita 10.20 Q and A (Responses to meditation etc)Lecture12.13
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81a Gita 10.21-23 Bhagavan’s vibhutis beginLecture12.14
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81b Gita 10.24-26 Bhagavan’s vibhutis continueLecture12.15
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81c Gita 10.21-26 Q and A (Balance, Japa, Samskaaras, Where do thoughts come from?)Lecture12.16
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82a Gita 10.27-29 Bhagavan’s vibhutis – Uchhaishravasa till Yama who disciplinesLecture12.17
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82b Gita 10.30-32 Bhagavan’s vibhutis – Prahlada till Vada-discussionLecture12.18
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82c Gita 10.27-32 Q and A (the how of creation, the why of Bhagavan Krishna’s list)Lecture12.19
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83a Gita 10.33-35 Vibhutis – A among the letters till the Spring seasonLecture12.20
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83b Gita 10.36-42 Vibhutis – Game of dice etc All vibhutis are meLecture12.21
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83c Gita Vibhuti garland of blessingLecture12.22
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Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11 Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga 3
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भगवान् delves further into the topic of तत्त्वत: in श्लोक १० |
*श्लोक १०*
वीतरागभयक्रोधा मन्मया मामुपाश्रिता: ।
बहवो ज्ञानतपसा पूता मद्भावमागता: ॥ १०॥
मद्भावमागता: ~ the person comes back to my nature.
How?
By freeing oneself from राग, भय & क्रोध |
राग is a consuming/binding desire.
One cannot manage anger unless one manages binding desire. The intensity of anger is related to the intensity of desire.
E.g. The intensity of rage in a parent is due to the parent wanting the child to do something that the child does not want to do.
When the desire is consuming, for instance the parent really wants the child to get married, then all one can think of is the ways in which to get the son married.
There is associated भय with the unfulfilled desire, as one worries – what will happen to my son, who will take care of my son, my son will be lonely when I am not there.
Then there can also be associated anger with passive-aggressive treatment of the son and giving the son the silent treatment.
So, how is this managed? मन्मया मामुपाश्रिता: |
So, this anger, fear and राग is there for everyone, but with the disposition of कर्म योग, I offer all best attempts to भगवान् and accept the results as प्रसाद | Then, however the situation unfolds, I see it as pervaded by भगवान् |
E.g. if I get caught up in the anger with my son for not getting married, then my relationship with him becomes one-dimensional, and I lose out on other aspects of our relationship.
By मामुपाश्रिता: i.e. by taking refuge in भगवान्, this helps one to be ready for ज्ञान तपस् i.e. this discipline of knowledge.
Because to learn anything, the mind needs to be undistracted and focused. And the mind has to have done a lot of processing of whatever has happened.
Otherwise the श्रीमद् भगवद्-गीता becomes a way for one to manage व्यवहार instead of for मोक्ष pursuit. Then, one becomes selective in listening, and only listens when a topic applicable to my व्यवहार is spoken of, e.g. the hurt daughter-in-law looking for pointers on how to manage the mother-in-law. There is the incorrect thinking that once I manage something, then I am fine.
But then one realizes that even if I manage this one thing, I still remain as the wanting person, there is always something desired. This is because I remain identified with this limited form. And so, one wants to become free i.e. the universal need for freedom.
बहव: ~ Many people,
have done this ज्ञान तपस् |
How did they do it?
With the attitude of surrender.
Surrender is recognizing that all that I have is given to me.
The body and mind, and their functions are all given to me, and pervaded by भगवान् |
Even if one thinks that it is my कर्म, who is responsible for the laws of कर्म that shape which पुन्य & पाप fructifies? In this way one should recognize that everything is given to me, everything comes from भगवान् |
With surrender, one recognizes that the individuality that one holds on to for dear life in order to have some sense of significance, that this isolates me from the world and especially from भगवान् |
So, मामुपाश्रिता: is the recognition that everything that I have is given to me and I make the most of it.
So, one should take refuge in भगवान् |
And taking refuge in भगवान् is not some special action. It is performing my different actions with the understanding that everything is given to me, and that everything that I do is an offering to भगवान् |
This the principle behind doing a 5-step पूजा where the पञ्चमहाभूत (the 5 great elements) i.e. the basic building blocks of this whole जगत् are used.
But what can I truly offer to you भगवान्? Because everything is already yours.
E.g. If one is given 1 million dollars, and then offers 10 dollars in return, so too what can one really offer to the one who has given everything?
So, I offer a symbol of the पञ्चमहाभूत- water, food/fruits, मन्त्र-s, incense, flame. Importantly is the भाव/attitude- whatever I have has been given to me, and this is my offering to you भगवान् |
So, one’s growing love for भगवान् is expressed in the पूजा |
Even if one does not feel like doing, one should do, as action evokes the emotion.
E.g. Cooking for one’s husband, even when one does not feel like it, evokes the pleased husband, and so there is the happy me.
So, this आश्रय/ surrender/ taking refuge,
पूता ~ It purifies one,
because one’s रागद्वेष no longer has a hold on one.
Then now, I have the discipline & commitment to stay with this pursuit of मोक्ष and contemplate on what ज्ञानम् looks like in this life.
Because वेदान्त is not an abstract concept in academics with a PowerPoint looking at the 10 concepts of वेदान्त | Otherwise there will be the tendency to consider वेदान्त as something apart from me. This is not helpful.
ज्ञान तपस् is really applying this knowledge to my life.
One cannot apply आत्मा to my life as I am already आत्मा |
But one wants to rush to the Truth – how do I see that I am सत्यम्, ज्ञानम्, अनन्तम्?
But first one should consider- am I available in all my relationships?
Do I keep my heart open for relative love and happiness?
One cannot hide behind वेदान्त | One should consider- what does ज्ञानम् look like for me in my life?
So, there is no bypassing this step. But we are scared. We swing from being overly critical of oneself to being lackadaisical.
One should strive for that dynamic balance to be firm, gentle and loving to myself.
But, instead of thinking being a glory, it seems like a burden, so one gives up and says – I don’t want to think about it…
ज्ञान तपस ~ that discipline of knowledge.
What is real in my life?
When I hear that आत्मा is me-limitless, do I see that to be true?
One thinks- but I do not ‘feel’ this way. This is due to identification with one’s emotions, so more विवेक is required.
Or I may think- I may be सत्यम् ब्रह्म, but why is there so much suffering in the world?
Therefore, one should go back to functional reality and align with धर्म, and do one’s duty but understand it as मिथ्या |
Even if I am not ready to understand it as मिथ्या, I can still focus on doing my धर्म |
* श्लोक ११ *
ये यथा मां प्रपद्यन्ते तांस्तथैव भजाम्यहम् ।
मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्या: पार्थ सर्वश: ॥ ११॥
Of the people who worship me,
in whatever way they worship me, I bless them in the same way.
E.g. If one sees value in money, then भगवान् blesses them like this.
So, Mother Lakshmi blesses with child & house etc.
This is because there is the recognition that in all that people are seeking/worshipping, what they are really seeking is freedom.
People just want to be free from seeking, as one realizes that the object of desire just keeps on shifting from marriage to children to house etc.
Our भक्ति/ growing love for भगवान् develops through different stages-
(i) Atheist/ agnostic
One wonders – but I came here to study the भगवद्-गीता and learn about धर्म, so why all this talk about भगवान्?
It is because the intelligence & material of everything is all भगवान् | So one should realize that one’s whole life is ईश्वर-ized.
Pujya Swamiji has written a booklet about ‘Bringing ईश्वर into One’s Life’.
Already ईश्वर is in my life. But, there is a choice. Until some surrender, there is stress in my life.
With surrender, I recognize that some things I control, and some things I cannot.
By bringing ईश्वर into my life, the more & more I recognize that all that I have is ईश्वर | Otherwise there is a sense of entitlement, and I am angry and think that it is all about my rights and forget my responsibility.
Both my rights and my responsibilities have to go hand in hand.
(ii) एकरूप भक्ति
One may resonate with one particular deity i.e. one’s इष्टदेवता e.g. Lord Jesus, Lord कृष्ण:, or Ganapati Baba.
With एकरूप भक्ति there is surrender only to this form, and this form has blessed me.
But one is trying to reduce That which is so vast & expansive to one form. So, एकरूप भक्ति is still limited and has to evolve to अनेक रूप भक्ति |
(iii) अनेक रूप भक्ति
अनेक means many. So, one’s vision of ईश्वर has expanded. अनेक does not refer to just deities, but one recognizes that all forms are भगवान् | So this entire जगत् is seen as a manifestation of भगवान् |
भगवान् Ramana Maharishi explains that पूजा should be done to the 8-fold-form that are the five elements, Sun, moon and living beings.
Therefore, पूजा is best done as सेवा to the entire जगत् with my given skill set.
So, everything is sacred, and this starts with me. My body is sacred.
Sometimes we do self-sabotage in the way that we treat ourselves, and in our habits.
But one should start with the recognition that I am sacred, because I am a manifestation of भगवान् |
So as part of पूजा, there is आत्मा पूजा where one says-
देहो देवालयः प्रोक्तः जीवो देवस्सनातनः ।
त्यजेदज्ञाननिर्माल्यं सोऽहं भावेन पूजयेत् ॥
So, in आत्मा पूजा one recognizes the body as a देवालयः (temple), and the जीव is the deity.
त्यजेदज्ञाननिर्माल्यं ~ And the wilted flowers, may I give up these like ignorance.
सोऽहं भावेन पूजये ~ He is me. I am this. (सः~ He, अयम् ~this). With this भाव I do this पूजा |
So symbolically grains or flowers are placed on one’s head. Because I recognize that I am auspicious and sacred. Even if I seem dysfunctional, I am ever sacred.
Then, with the recognition that everything is sacred, I switch to अरूप भक्ति |
(iv) अरूप भक्ति – What is the nature/तत्त्वम्/reality of all of these forms?
With भक्ति/love, we recognize that one’s devotion can extend to everyone.
One’s रागद्वेष no longer inhibits the love that I feel. I no longer need the other person to do exactly as I wish. So, one’s love is not conditional.
I am free, and I allow the other person to be free.
Although one’s pursuit may be for अर्थ, काम or धर्म, भगवान् recognizes that what everyone is seeking is freedom from seeking.
So, people follow भगवान्’s path in different ways, and He blesses everyone because through these pursuits, the discipline and commitment needed for the मोक्ष pursuit is learnt.
So, the work that one does, the money that one earns, the people that one engages with are not dismissed, as these help to strengthen discipline & commitment, as well as it helps one with having a leisure/relaxation so that one can pursue मोक्ष |
* शोल्क १२ *
काङ् क्षन्त: कर्मणां सिद्धिं यजन्त इह देवता: ।
क्षिप्रं हि मानुषे लोके सिद्धिर्भवति कर्मजा ॥ १२॥
In this मानुषे लोके (human world), whatever actions/कर्म are done, there is immediate सिद्धि (accomplishment). So, for many things, one gets the results quickly.
Many religious people are also looking for quick fixes, as one considers that भगवान् is an ally who is more powerful than me, so then I can ask भगवान् for things.
Even if I don’t ask भगवान् for anything, the things that I have, have been given to me through पुन्य, as the laws of कर्म shape all that I have.
In all पूजा-s and in the कर्म काण्ड, it is important to state what I want. This should also be done on a daily basis.
Every moment we voice what we want to whoever we encounter- family members, colleagues, strangers, but suddenly to the most powerful being, one does not ask for anything.
So, we are encouraged to ask. The पूजा does not proceed without a सङ्कल्प |
Though भगवान् may be a mind-reader, I have to state what I want in all my pursuits.
It is not about me doing anything-anyhow, as my intentionality in action is very important.
What do I want in my job or in my relationship? One should be clear with oneself about what I want, it is my इच्छा शक्ति, so I state it.
So here भगवान् says that- through all pursuits, though one may be worshipping different deities and everyone wants quick fixes, I bless them with that.
One may wonder- but why is भगवान् not blessing me with मोक्ष? This is because I am already मुक्त: | I am already free, so भगवान् cannot give me freedom.
Pujya Swamiji gives the example that one asking भगवान् for another head in order to think more clearly will be silly as I already have a head.
So भगवान् blesses one, whatever be one’s pursuits.
One should remember that prayer cannot be a replacement for action. Prayer only enhances the actions that I am doing. Prayer backs up कर्म | E.g. I cannot win the lottery without buying the lottery ticket.
Next in this chapter, we see that भगवान् shifts gears and talks of the वर्ण-system according to कर्म & गुण |
ॐ