-
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 10
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11 Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga (Chanting by Pujya Swami Dayananda)Lecture13.1
-
84a Gita 11.1-16 Arjuna’s request to see the cosmic form and Bhagavan’s responseLecture13.2
-
84b Gita Garland of Vibhutis and Q and ALecture13.3
-
85a Gita 11.16-24 Arjuna awestruck by the cosmic formLecture13.4
-
85b Gita 11.25-33 Arjuna getting afraid, Krishna tells him to be a ‘nimitta’Lecture13.5
-
85c Gita 11.16-33 Q and A What is the point of this chapter?Lecture13.6
-
86a Gita 11.34-40 Arjuna doing namaskaar to the cosmic form and sharing his wonderLecture13.7
-
86b Gita 11.41-54 Arjuna apologises for being casual, the return of Bhagavan to the Krishna form and the importance of bhaktiLecture13.8
-
87a Gita 11.55 Clarification about offering karma to BhagavanLecture13.9
-
87b Gita Ch 11 Discussion – Being an instrumentLecture13.10
-
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12 Bhakti Yoga 16
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12 Bhakti Yoga (Chanting by Pujya Swami Dayananda)Lecture14.1
-
87c Gita 12.1-2 Arjuna’s question – Is meditating on Bhagavan or Brahman better?Lecture14.2
-
88a Gita 12.3 The one who meditates on Brahman gains meLecture14.3
-
88b Gita 12.4-5 and QnA The maturity and mastery of a person who meditates on BrahmanLecture14.4
-
89 Guru stotram on the eve of Guru PurnimaLecture14.5
-
89a Gita 12.6-7 What does karma yoga with upaasana do?Lecture14.6
-
89b Gita 12.8-9 If karma yoga with upaasana is difficult what to do?Lecture14.7
-
90a Gita 12.9-10 Why Abhyaasa yoga (Ashtanga Yoga) is helpful for mastering the mindLecture14.8
-
90b 12.11-12 The ways of relating to Bhagavaan (Sequence of maturity)Lecture14.9
-
91a Gita 12.13 Signs of a jnani bhaktaLecture14.10
-
91b 12.14-15 Signs of a jnani bhakta (contd.)Lecture14.11
-
91c Gita 12.13-15 Q and A Do Vedantins have extra miseryLecture14.12
-
92a Gita 12.16 Qualities of the bhaktaLecture14.13
-
92b Gita 12.17-18 Qualities of the bhakta (contd.)Lecture14.14
-
92c Gita 12.18-20 Glory of bhakta and shraddha incl Q and ALecture14.15
-
93 Gita Ch 12 Group discussion – some observationsLecture14.16
-
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 13 Kshetra-Kshetrajna vibhagah yoga 23
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 13 (Chanting by Pujya Swami Dayananda)Lecture15.1
-
94a Gita Quick recap Ch 1 – 12Lecture15.2
-
94b Gita 13.1-2 The kshetram (field) and kshetrajna (knower of the field)Lecture15.3
-
94c Gita 13.1-2 Q and A Am I the thoughts of the mindLecture15.4
-
95a Gita 13.3-6 More about the Kshetram, fieldLecture15.5
-
95b Gita 13.3-6 Guided Meditation on the Kshetra and kshetrajnaLecture15.6
-
95c Gita 13.3-6 Q and A Sequence of manifestation, Knowing = BeingLecture15.7
-
96a Gita 13.7 Intro to Value of ValuesLecture15.8
-
96b Gita 13.7 Values contd. and AmanitvamLecture15.9
-
97a Gita 13.7 Values are universal but not absolute Adambhitvam – absence of non pretensionLecture15.10
-
97b Gita 13.7b Values contd. Ahimsa-non harming, Kshanti – AccommodationLecture15.11
-
97c Gita 13.7c Values QnA Fear of hurting the other, What if the other does not give the same importance to the value like me?Lecture15.12
-
98a Gita 13.7 a Values – Aarjvam, AcharyopaasanamLecture15.13
-
98b Gita 13.7b ShauchamLecture15.14
-
98c Gita 13.7c Values Q n A Applying the values etcLecture15.15
-
99a Gita 13.7 Values – Sthairyam – SteadinessLecture15.16
-
99b Gita 13.7b Atmavinigraha – Mastery of the mindLecture15.17
-
99c Gita 13.8 Indriyaartheshu Vairagyamssion towards the sense objectsLecture15.18
-
99d Gita 13.8 Anahankaara – Absence of prideLecture15.19
-
99e Gita 13.8 Q n ALecture15.20
-
100 a Gita 13.8 Janma-mrtyu-jara-vyaadhi-dukha-dosha-anudarshanam Seeing clearly the defects of pain in birth, death, old age and diseaseLecture15.21
-
100b Gita 13.9 Asaktih-Absence of sense of ownership and Anabhishvangah – Absence of obsession towards the child, partner house and the likeLecture15.22
-
100c Gita 13.8-9 Q and A Give and take in relationships, Parenting, Friendships drifting apart etcLecture15.23
-
This content is protected, please login and enroll course to view this content!
2 Comments
Then, to contrast what not having श्रद्धा can do for you-
* श्लोक ४० *
अज्ञश्चाश्रद्दधानश्च संशयात्मा विनश्यति ।
नायं लोकोऽस्ति न परो न सुखं संशयात्मन: ॥ ४०॥
The one who does not have श्रद्धा, and also who is अज्ञ i.e. does not even have the discerning ability of what is true, what is not true, विवेक is not there.
And further, संशयात्मा- what is referred to as doubting Thomas. There are some of us who will doubt everything in the name of knowing the right information, or whatever that is.
So, what happens to this संशयात्मा (the one who doubts)?
विनश्यति- this person is destroyed.
So, this is a very big thing, what do you mean? Because for such a person, anything that is said, they question- really, is it true?
So, typically when it comes up- if somebody says I really love you. Really? No. I don’t believe you. Why would you love someone like me? Or, you don’t believe it, so you need to hear it like 10x per day- you have not told me you love me, it has been a while, you really love me?
Because there is a little insecurity, संशय is there.
But anything, you have to always double check. You locked the door- again you check repeatedly. Anybody says anything to you- you don’t trust. I don’t know if what the person is saying is true. And this ‘what if’ game, is a game we love to play. (there is a podcast on this ‘what if’). What if I die? What if the loved ones around me die? What if I lose a limb? etc. So, we are very good at it.
The power of imagination, which is a great blessing which has been given to us, we use it in this way. It is helpful to some extent because it helps us to prepare for the worst possible consequence. It’s a helpful habit, but it stops being helpful after some time. Why? Because we are always thinking of the worst possible consequence. Therefore, we cannot take a decision. Should I take this job- should I, should I not? Should I marry, or should I not? Should I commit? Should I buy this? All the time there is doubt.
And here what भगवान् is saying is- अयं लोक: नास्ति | So this world, where you can enjoy काम, अर्थ, धर्म, that is also not there for the person.
Because you know in all your relationships you doubt about whether they really care for you, whatever they do is not enough for you, and so on.
Then, you doubt your own abilities.
And as a result of which you can’t stick with any job because again you’re doubting them. So, they’re all out to cheat me, exploit me, manipulate me, and so on.
Then, what can you trust? Nothing because everything is doubted.
So, this world of धर्म, अर्थ, काम is not available for me. So, even that relative happiness is not available for me.
Then, what about being exposed to वेदान्त, and having this commitment? Well that is also not. Why? Because I doubt everything- Really? How is it possible that the शास्त्र was an oral tradition once upon a time? I can barely remember 10 phone numbers. How is it possible that people remember 20,000 verses i.e. one वेद? It is not possible.
So, you can’t actually evaluate a particular era on the basis of your current situation, but we do that all the time – No, no, I don’t think that’s possible, that’s not possible. गुरु and all these people, they are just crazy for money, and power, and fame, that’s why they’re insisting that you need a गुरु | But, I don’t think so.
So, anything anyone tells you- doubt. Whether you are pursuing the शास्त्र- you cannot gain the joy of the ज्ञानफलम् because you are doubting all the time. Nor can you gain धर्म, अर्थ, काम |
So, मोक्ष pursuit is not available for you- संशयात्मा, and neither is this धर्म, अर्थ, काम |
So, we have to recognize that the problem does not lie with the world outside.
It is not that all the problems lie with us. It is possible that we have come across situations where our trust was betrayed, and if we are being a bit alert and cautious, that’s fine. It may be required in this phase.
But, if you are so alert and so cautious that you don’t move you, and you withdraw completely into a shell, you’re not available to transact with anyone, and nor can a possibility be available to you that you can change your mind.
So that’s what भगवान् is saying- सुखं अयं लोक: नास्ति ~ this world is not available for this person. Nor the world पर: – So because I don’t have श्रद्धा in the वेद, I don’t believe that there is स्वर्ग ~ That I’ll do good things, contribute/give, I will do some rituals and gain स्वर्ग | But I don’t trust, I don’t think it’s true. So, स्वर्ग- no chance.
So, there is no सुख for such a person.
So, basically, भगवान् is contrasting the one who has श्रद्धा and the one who does not have श्रद्धा, and what happens to such a person.
* श्लोक ४१ *
योगसंन्यस्तकर्माणं ज्ञानसञ्छिन्नसंशयम् ।
आत्मवन्तं न कर्माणि निबध्नन्ति धनञ्जय ॥ ४१॥
So, referring to Arjuna as धनञ्जय,
कर्माणि न निबध्नन्ति ~ कर्म does not bind.
Whom?
The one who has done संन्यास i.e. the one who has given up कर्म through योग.
But, what आसन did I do of giving up?
Here, we are talking of both ज्ञान योग and कर्म योग |
So, with the attitude of कर्म योग, recognizing that all is given to me, and I make the most of it. I have a recognition of भगवान्, and I am preparing myself so that I can see the truth that भगवान् and me are one. This is ज्ञान योग i.e. the reality of all the forms.
So, the one who has renounced कर्म, but who remains busier than the busiest bee with lots of projects, but is very clear that आत्मा was never the कर्ता |
कर्म is what you do with your body-mind. I am more than this body-mind. I am the one that illumines this body-mind. And कर्म does not define me.
When we meet people, one of the first questions asked is- what do you do?
Then, we don’t say- I do this…It is very interesting. What do you do? I am a finance professional, or I am an architect. Very interesting. Of course, we want to shorten it, we don’t want to go on and on.
So, suppose the person continues and says- you know nowadays it’s so difficult to find the right architect. Now you’re getting angry, though the person is talking about generally, and the person has a right to make a comment on architects. Well, I don’t think you found the right architect, you didn’t find me, that’s why.
So, with respect to one’s identity, immediately I get provoked, and then I will react. That happens all the time.
So, for the one who has recognized that आत्मा is अकर्ता- never the doer, never the experiencer, and from that standpoint the person has given up कर्म, then also the संशयम् i.e. all the doubts that were there are destroyed.
It’s very natural to have a doubt, but resolve the doubt. Don’t hold on to it, and put it in the museum of doubts as an heirloom or antique piece – I had a doubt 20 years ago and also now, I still have the doubt. And this happens very often. People ask a question in class, and it is answered and then they are satisfied with the answer, and it is clear to them. Then, again it will come up for five years, seven years. Why? Because you have nurtured the doubt so much, now it has become a part of your identity~ संशयात्मा |
So, for this person, all the doubts- I am the doer and I’m affected, I have sorrow etc. So, all these doubts about identities, all that has been destroyed. How, by what? By ज्ञानम्/knowledge.
And the one who is together i.e. आत्मवन्तं – the one who is very integrated, not much fragmentation.
So, you work to be integrated- in the sense that what you’re thinking, what you’re feeling, what you’re saying, they are not three personalities. You may not have personality disorder, but we are like this. We might be thinking that we want to strangle someone, but all the sweetest words are coming out of the mouth, and then you’re feeling something quite different.
So, we’re not talking about appropriateness in behavior- that is there, in line with धर्म, but one is together, together as a person. So, for that particular person, कर्म does not bind because the person has recognized the truth about oneself.
* श्लोक ४२ *
तस्मादज्ञानसम्भूतं हृत्स्थं ज्ञानासिनात्मन: ।
छित्त्वैनं संशयं योगमातिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ भारत ॥ ४२॥
तस्मात् ~ Therefore,
What should you do Arjuna?
The doubts that have emerged, that had been borne from अज्ञानम्/अविद्या | अविद्या is ignorance of who you are. So, because of अज्ञानम्, I think that whatever I’m associated with, that must be me. So, the one who was knocked on the stage in the garb of a beggar, and has temporary amnesia, and wakes up in the hospital, and asks the fundamental questions- where am I? who am I? Then looks around and recognizes that I’m dressed in tatters, so I must be a beggar.
So, I look around and see that I have this costume of a human being, and so think that I must be a human being. So therefore, then a human being is incomplete, so I have to strive, and do a lot so that I am complete.
So, जीवत्वम् (the sense of being a जीव only) is because of अविद्या |
जीव is defined as- ब्रह्मसन् (although being ब्रह्मन्), जीवम् इति उच्यते/मन्यते- says/thinks that I am this limited body-mind.
So, संशयं छित्त्व ~ destroying all possible doubt that is born of अविद्या |
So, all kinds of doubts, e.g. related to the nature of desire- I must not have desire, desire creates suffering. And I must not get involved with life, etc. So, all these weird ideas we have which is all stemming from अविद्या i.e. the ignorance of oneself.
So, what should you do Arjuna?
योगम् आतिष्ठ उत्तिष्ठ ~ you please take to कर्म योग, take to ज्ञान योग, and get up.
Of course, He’s referring to get up and fight.
But here, get up in the sense of- wake up to the reality of who you are.
And if that’s not very clear, then spiritualize your life by making कर्म into कर्म योग | Learn to see that all that is here is ईश्वर | Then, of course, you will be blessed.
So, don’t take away this thing- that I shouldn’t have doubts. Please have doubts, but resolve the doubts. And that’s what भगवान् is saying- that you slay this संशय/doubt.
Doubt can also be in the form of vagueness, or an error that you repeatedly make.
So, you slay this संशय/doubt, with knowledge again and again.
And then, you just get up.
ॐ तत्सदिति श्रीमद्भगवद्गीतासूपनिषत्सु
ब्रह्मविद्यायां योगशास्त्रे श्रीकृष्णार्जुनसंवादे
ज्ञानकर्मसंन्यासयोगो नाम चतुर्थोऽध्यायः ॥ ४॥
So, the fourth chapter, the name of which was ज्ञान-कर्म-संन्यास-योग: | The topic of संन्यास (completely giving up) कर्म through ज्ञानम् of the आत्मा i.e. the one who is अकर्ता- never the doer. How did we know this? Through the संवाद/dialogue between भगवान् श्री कृष्ण and Arjuna.
And what was the dialogue about? Where do you get the best pizza? No. It was about ब्रह्मविद्या and योगशास्त्र – so the knowledge of the reality, and how should I live my life?
But is this a figment of somebody’s imagination? No, no- श्रीमद् भगवद्-गीता, so this dialogue is happening in the भगवद्-गीता | And what the श्रीमद् भगवद्-गीता is talking about is really the essence of the उपनिषद् which is revealed knowledge by भगवान् |
So, with that- ॐ तत् सत् ~ ॐ is the only reality.
And, so we close the fourth chapter.
ॐ
CH 4 ASSIGNMENT
Questions for reflection and discussion, on Chapter 4 of the Bhagavad Gita. Don’t worry about right or wrong answers. You and your understanding is what is important to me.
1.Does one have to take sanyaasa for jnaanam. Explain in the context of the title of the chapter – Jnana-karmasanyaasa yoga?
2.What is the guru-shishya parampara pointed out by Sri Krishna?
3.When and why does Bhagavan take an avataara?
4.What is the vision of a wise person in the context of karma and akarma?
5.Karma is not the criteria to call someone wise or unwise. Explain
6.Which verses in Chapter 4 describe the glory of knowledge?
7.Explain the system of varna. How do you identify yourself? (karma-guna-jaati varna). What is the purpose of the Varna system?
8.What is a yajna and Which are the 12 yajnas mentioned in the fourth chapter? Which are you able to practise comfortably and which one requires effort?
9.Why is Jnana yajna considered better than all yajnas?
10.How should one approach a guru?
11.The fire of knowledge reduces all action to ashes – Explain
12.Who are the three groups of people who get destroyed and why? What can they do about it?
Enjoy!