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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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1 Comment
What have people written as their spiritual goal?
– I want to have a clear understanding of my true nature. So at this point in time in order to achieve that, I work on अंतःकरणशुद्धि | So I approach all the different activities in my life with कर्म योग बुद्धि:, while also pursuing the study of वेदान्त |
– I need more time to inquire about myself and learn about वेदान्त/ भगवद्-गीता | And moreover Swaminiji’s podcast has been very helpful, as one thing has become very clear i.e. until I can do my studies on वेदान्त, I need to perform धर्म- my duty towards family, my parents and everyone. So that is my spiritual goal for now.
– To have more emotional maturity and grow in that aspect. As well as not get too carried away with my senses. And make new boundaries for me, as well as people around me~ outwards & inwards. And also bring in a little more balance in all my roles; not being in one role too much, so being able to balance that out. As well as taking out more time for self reflection and self contemplation. And also giving more thought towards what I’m reading, to be able to revisit these again, and in so doing hopefully grow more.
– To have reduced wants, and to have a mindset of an acceptance of all the events as ईश्वर प्रसादम् | And to have समत्वम् and कौशलम् as a lifestyle, and not just on hindsight or else I still end up being very reactive, and then in hindsight I feel like this is how I could have handled it better. So I really want to reach a state where there is equilibrium in acceptance of all the circumstances. How I intend on achieving it is by being a more ardent student of वेदान्त and by ensuring that I dive into this more deeply than what I am doing currently.
So, it is important to have clarity about the nature of the spiritual goal and also where I am at. There should be honesty, one is not deluding oneself, and that is most important.
There are the two lifestyles of कर्मयोग and साङ्ख्ययोग (lifestyle of a संन्यासी). And because of popular media and conditioning, we may think and believe wrongly that I am less because I am following the कर्मयोग lifestyle i.e. I am not able to have the maturity that is required. Then, from time to time I have this romantic fantasy called संन्यास | Or, sometimes I may think- Oh, I’m so glad I never went in that direction, because it’s possible that I may have been disillusioned by some of the संन्यासी-s that I have met. And so this कर्मयोग lifestyle works for me. So either way, we may have a view/certain position.
What is भगवान् श्री कृष्ण saying? And this is an important verse for anyone to refute the belief that कर्मयोग is less-
* श्लोक ५ *
यत्साङ्ख्यै: प्राप्यते स्थानं तद्योगैरपि गम्यते ।
एकं साङ्ख्यं च योगं च य: पश्यति स पश्यति ॥ ५॥
य: पश्यति – the one who sees,
साङ्ख्यम् & योगम् – साङ्ख्य referring to संन्यास and योग referring to कर्मयोग |
साङ्ख्यं च योगं च एकं – they are one.
With respect to what? With respect to स्थानं प्राप्यते |
So, the goal for a कर्मयोगी, and the goal for a संन्यासी is एकं/one |
Earlier you will remember that भगवान् said(श्लोक ४) that people who think that they are different, they are बाला:, they are childlike i.e. the prattling of an infantile mind. So, they don’t know, but they say that it’s different.
So that which is attained by साङ्ख्य/संन्यासी is that which is प्राप्तस्य प्राप्ति: i.e. it is a प्राप्ति (gain) of what is प्राप्तस्य (already gained). You are accomplishing what is already accomplished. But it is ‘gained’ little faster only because time, effort, energy spent in this pursuit exclusively is greater, perhaps, than for a कर्मयोगी |
But the same goal, तत् योगै: अपि गम्यते ~ so by कर्मयोग also, the same goal is attained.
What is the goal?
स्थानम् – generally, literally translated means place, but स्थानं can also refer to the goal/परमम्/पदम्, so different words are used.
So this same thing is reached by कर्मयोगी-s also. So when we use the word कर्मयोग, we mean it as-
(i) a lifestyle where we are pursuing धर्म, अर्थ, काम along with मोक्ष |
(ii) The second usage of कर्मयोग is in the context of the disposition i.e. what we bring to every कर्म that we do. So we transform our कर्म into कर्मयोग by the attitude of ईश्वर अर्पण बुद्धि: and प्रसाद बुद्धि: i.e. offering all our actions to ईश्वर, and being cheerful and graceful and gracious about receiving our कर्म |
(iii) The third usage of कर्मयोग is in the context of the purpose being अंतःकरणशुद्धि | अंतःकरणशुद्धि is not a goal in and of itself~ that I have emotional maturity, that I am free of रागद्वेष | And so what about it? Fine, you’re emotionally mature, so what? I am still a कर्ता, I am still a doer. I’ve learnt to manage my life well- I have कौशलम् & समत्वम्, so what about it?
समत्वम् is in terms of being a better भोका | So, earlier I had भोक्तृत्वम्~ I am the experiencer. Now, that भोक्तृत्वम् has been transformed into प्रसाद बुद्धि: i.e. I am being gracious, learning to accept. But who is the one who is doing this? You will say it is a भक्त/devotee- fine. Does a devotee experience प्रसाद? Yes. What does that make the devotee? भोका/experiencer. So still limited.
Therefore the goal of अंतःकरणशुद्धि is only preparation for मोक्ष |
अंतःकरणशुद्धि is not an end in itself. If it is an end in itself, there are two struggles that will happen-
1) If I am not a sufficient भक्त, I will whip myself black and blue, thinking- I don’t have freedom from रागद्वेष | I am still buffeted by the winds of what I must have, and what I should not have in my life, and the struggle/battle in my mind is just too much.
But when you see that all that is here is given, even the psychological order that is there, the influencing factors that have played a role in my life, it is all ईश्वर | Then the resistance reduces. Still, I am a भोका/experiencer.
So the शुद्धि is such that I am so free from रागद्वेष that when the गुरु is teaching the शास्त्र, my mind goes along with the words and I am able to say- yes, अहम् ब्रह्म अस्मि, yes that’s true.
Because understand that- when we listen, we are reacting often. Very rarely we are able to just listen without any sense of threat. Because sometimes you’re like- okay, I have to defend myself, or if I perceive some attack, then again we close up. So the heart is opening-closing, opening-closing. And often it’s closed only. And then I’m saying- no, no, this is not right, or it should not be said, or I want to hear more of this. So reaction, lots of reaction.
So in other parts of life, as I reduce the reactivity, by ईश्वर अर्पण बुद्धि: and प्रसाद बुद्धि:, then that same mind is available to me and वेदान्त | So, don’t think something radical is going to happen in वेदान्त class but it is not going to happen in the rest of your life. But of course, in वेदान्त class, you have the advantage that you don’t have to really do much. You just have to listen. Oh, but this just listen, is not just listen, it’s very difficult to listen without reactivity, to listen with surrender; That what is being wielded is the शास्त्र, I go along with it.
So you can see the kind of maturity that is required to listen to the शास्त्र | Because at a very subtle level we are reacting, and at a gross level definitely.
2)Then the कर्तृत्वम्- earlier I was a कर्ता ~ struggle struggle struggle. Because I’m always evaluating myself- did I do enough? Did I not do enough etc., all the time. Now that कर्तृत्वम्, that sense of doership is replaced by ईश्वर अर्पण बुद्धि: – that whatever is given to me, I make the most of it. A lot changes when you make this shift. Because you see~ body is given to me, mind is given to me, senses are given to me, so I make the most of what is possible. Then the anxiety, the stress, the constant hindsight thinking- should I have done, should I not have done; the furious mental activity reduces. But still ईश्वर अर्पण बुद्धि: means that still little कर्तृत्वम् is there. So that कर्तृत्वम् I am able to see that- that also is sustained by me the आत्मा |
So the lifestyle of a कर्मयोगी is to be able to have अंतःकरणशुद्धि, but the goal is very clear- it is मोक्ष | मोक्ष is the ultimate goal, it may not be my immediate goal, and that’s fine. But ultimate goal it is, so when there is little time, leisure etc. I pursue. So I am pursuing मोक्ष alongside other things.
And for such a person, anyway it is प्राप्तस्य प्राप्ति:, the goal is already reached- you are already the आत्मा, अकर्ता-अभोक्ता |
So, both the संन्यासी and the कर्मयोगी will definitely attain मोक्ष | This must be clear for everyone. And this is the verse you want to go back to. Because you will come across readings and translations, because remember we have FOMO (fear of missing out), so we will read this, we will read that, then somebody will say something, and then you say- oh, maybe I don’t have the maturity, etcetera, etcetera. No.
So right now, bringing up my child is very, very important. Yes, it is काम, but काम is a valid pursuit. And I do it as धार्मिक-ly as possible. And that is what will give me the maturity, because in being a भक्ता, you are worshipping at the altar of धर्म. That’s your worship- that every कर्म is offered to धर्म which is a manifestation of ईश्वर |
So you may not be doing a पूजा every moment, but through your कर्म, symbolically you are doing as in a typical puja- offering your flowers, waving the incense, and lighting the lamp.
So look at it- your life is blessed.
And the goal of मोक्ष is really recognizing that you were never away from yourself, you were always the आत्मा, just not recognized.
Then य: पश्यति स पश्यति – the one who sees that both कर्म योग and संन्यास are एकम् |
The lifestyles are geared towards one goal only, which is मोक्ष |
य: पश्यति स पश्यति – that is the person who really sees.
Otherwise you are just indicating your राग for one lifestyle.
Then-
* श्लोक ६ *
संन्यासस्तु महाबाहो दु:खमाप्तुमयोगत: ।
योगयुक्तो मुनिर्ब्रह्म नचिरेणाधिगच्छति ॥ ६॥
Still, it feels like कर्म is a burden for most of us, or some types of कर्म feel like a burden~ I don’t feel like doing, I don’t want to do, I wish I didn’t have to do etc., etc. So whether it is taking tough decisions on medical aspects for aging parents- I wish I didn’t have to do it, I wish someone would do it for me. Or decisions about which college/school the child needs to go to, how to bring up the child. And of course decisions at work, etcetera, etcetera. They feel like a burden, not all the time, sometimes. But surely संन्यास is easier…
But, भगवान् श्री कृष्ण sounds a word of caution. What is that? संन्यास is very difficult.
संन्यास: तु दु:खम् आप्तुम् अयोगत: – संन्यास will give you दु:ख/sorrow. If you ever choose this lifestyle, अयोगत: i.e. without having a life that is immersed in कर्म योग, it will only cause you दु:ख/sorrow.
Because ritually you have been absolved of all duties and responsibilities. The वेद that tells you how to live your life in the context of धर्म, अर्थ, काम, also says now you are free. You are not going to incur पापा if you don’t perform your responsibility. So one thinks- Wow, so this is great, I can choose whether I want to do certain things, or if I don’t, पापा doesn’t affect me. Therefore no suffering for me. No problem. Sounds wonderful.
But, do I have the maturity for संन्यास? In many ways, these two years of the pandemic have given us a glimpse of one aspect of what a संन्यास lifestyle might be like, because one’s activities were restricted. Of course, it was an external imposition because of the pandemic, but activities were restricted, engagement was restricted. Of course, at home depending on the numbers of people in your family, the activity may have just shot up, so that’s possible also. Still, you know the great dream we have- I will do nothing, I will be by myself, solitude here I come. Not everyone takes to it nicely. We all know how distracted we are. Because we can’t be with ourselves.
Now things have changed in terms of the customer care people calling us, but there used to be a time, maybe 10 years ago, and maybe even now it applies, that the wait is long, so they will say- you have to wait for one minute, somebody’s going to attend to you shortly etc. And they will play music, because they know that we can’t be with ourselves.
Or once upon a time when there used to be telephone booths, you would see all the doodles in the telephone booth. People enter the telephone booth and obviously nobody goes into it to draw, but distraction and fidgetiness is so much, there is so much buildup of energy and you have to do something so you draw.
Or like even now in this mistaken notion of multitasking, to just stay with something, even when just watching a movie- we are eating, we are drinking, we are talking – so maybe we are multitasking. That’s okay. But that बुद्धि: that I have to make the most of my time, and I have limited time on earth, so I have to do do do etc. What can I do? Maybe I can have two or three windows open when I’m even listening to वेदान्त class, maybe I can get notifications. So for certain things I do multitasking because it’s all routine, mechanical and I can manage two tasks, perhaps. But I’m talking about the orientation that then filters into all areas of life. That unless I’m multitasking, I’m wasting time. Look at what our modern living has done to us, we have become slaves.
So संन्यास, what do you have to do? Morning, afternoon, evening with the शास्त्र and that’s it.
So same thing? There is no innovation? ब्रह्मन् is the same, I am ब्रह्म that’s it. So you are reading, you are talking, you are discussing, you are teaching, all the way same.
So when we have retreats, after the third day, people start to get a little restless. This is an observation. Then we will introduce a different activity. Or if it’s in a place like Rishikesh, then we will say- okay, why don’t you go to this place, and of course there are some beautiful places to see also. So one is advised to do this different activity, for a change. Because the intensity is actually just an exclusive pursuit. But it may get too intense- my God, it’s too much to handle.
So this is संन्यास life- there is no scope for achievement. So if today I just did जप, okay great. But what did you achieve? So, if you are the kind of person who asks that question- what did you achieve, are you closer to your goal? Always evaluating, evaluating, then you can imagine you will go crazy in this lifestyle. Everything is relaxed.
Maybe one is not teaching either. There are a lot of संन्यासी-s who don’t teach. On the banks of Ganga they do some जप, some तपस and that’s it. Nothing more. What more is there to achieve in this life? Nothing. So we can see that just hearing all this makes us feel a little awkward.
What do you mean there is nothing to achieve? Look at world poverty, look at what is happening in Ukraine, etcetera, etcetera.
So a complete harmony that is born of कर्म योग | If I am immersed in that, only then I am suitable for a संन्यास lifestyle. Because ritually I have given up responsibilities. And therefore you’re not even earning for a living. So you have to be dependent on society for whatever they provide, if they provide that is.
So I have always lived a strong independent life. But now? In some ways, I am at the mercy of whatever society wants to provide for me. Not easy.
We define ourselves by how productive we are, right? What do you do? I do this ________. That same orientation comes as a वेदान्त student also. What are the texts that you have done? How many years you’ve been studying? It’s still about the pursuit- what you have done. And so to have a lifestyle where there is not even scope for increasing your maturity.
Some tasks can be given, but generally a संन्यासी is an independent person. So unless there is a setup like in Ramakrishna Mission or even Sivananda ashram, where a lot of संन्यासी-s have different designations, they have different positions in these well organized setups. So there you will be given something to do, whatever सेव is there in the ashram. So that much scope is there that you can work through your रागद्वेष-s. But scope is very limited. Your opportunities for learning, and for growing in the context of अंतःकरणशुद्धि are limited because there is decreased interaction with society.
You can’t go partying, and you can learn a lot when you go dancing. You’re not going to work as such. You’re not earning for a living. You’re not struggling with what’s my relationship with my parents, my relationship with money, my relationship with my body-mind, my relationship with children, my relationship with the fact that I didn’t make the most of certain opportunities. So all that is a part of अंतःकरणशुद्धि that comes with the कर्म योग lifestyle.
So if at all people have any romantic ideas of संन्यास, then भगवान् श्री कृष्ण is saying- please, it’s very difficult to accomplish without कर्म योग | So a lot of immersion in a कर्म योग lifestyle is required.
Whereas, the one who is योगयुक्त: i.e. the one who is immersed in this कर्म योग, that person is a मुनि |
So, मुनि ~ मनन शील: | मननम्- being able to think through different perspectives, raising doubts, answering them, holding a particular topic in your mind. That is a कर्म योगी |
Because with all that’s going on in one’s life, and there’s a lot that’s going on, there is enough time and leisure to think about the big questions of life, to do the inquiry that is required, to not be satisfied with false ends.
So that’s the problem with logic. We think we’re very logical- so the ‘what if’ game we play~ what if I make a presentation and everybody laughs at my face? I have not answered this question. The question itself is a false end. Okay, people laughed. So, do people have the freedom to laugh? Yes, but they should not laugh at me. So, what if they laugh at you? Are you still going to have your coffee and tea? Are you still going to live? Are you still going to go about doing your routine, whatever is a part of your lifestyle? Yes. Are you still going to go to work? Yes. Are you still going to interact with those colleagues? Yes. Are you still going to have happy moments in life? Definitely, yes. So, it’s a false end that we make a conclusion about. Actually, there is no need for this overwhelm.
Immersion in कर्म योग means that there is no disenchantment with life. That you see life as a blessing. Earlier you saw life as a burden- Oh my God, new day, same old, when is this going to end? When am I going to get some relief etc., etc.
So, you have converted the burden into a blessing. Not by positive thinking, but by being a भक्त | Why you are a भक्त? Because you recognize the connection that was always there. Earlier you just ignored it, that’s all.
So you are living a busy life, मोक्ष is an important goal, along with other things, and you are capable of doing विचार/ inquiry. It’s not like you start thinking about something, then there is a notification on your phone, then you go with the phone. So if you are not committed to one thing, you will be distracted by everything, mark my words. If you are not committed to one thing, whatever that one thing is at that time, you will be distracted by everything. And we complain of distraction, but we don’t question whether we are really committed to what we are doing. Because it’s so easy to get distracted if you’re not committed. It applies in a committed relationship also as you can be distracted by whoever else is passing by. Or you fantasize- oh, it might be a little nicer to be with that person, compared to this nagging person next to me, etcetera.
So the capacity to reason, we are not talking about some rocket science logic, just the time and the leisure to think about one’s life, to think about what I really am in the light of the शास्त्र |
And so continuing on from verse #5, भगवान् श्री कृष्ण in verse #6 says-
न चिरेण अधिगच्छति ~ so this person who is immersed in a कर्म योग lifestyle, gains ब्रह्म quickly. So there’s a double negative- it does not take the person too long to gain ब्रह्मन् i.e. to see the Truth.