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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
-
-
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
-
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
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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
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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
-
-
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
-
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
-
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
-
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
-
81a Gita 10.21-23 Bhagavan’s vibhutis beginLecture12.14
-
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
-
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 10
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11 Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga (Chanting by Pujya Swami Dayananda)Lecture13.1
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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
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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
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87c Gita 12.1-2 Arjuna’s question – Is meditating on Bhagavan or Brahman better?Lecture14.2
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88a Gita 12.3 The one who meditates on Brahman gains meLecture14.3
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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
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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
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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
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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 37
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 13 (Chanting by Pujya Swami Dayananda)Lecture15.1
-
94a Gita Quick recap Ch 1 – 12Lecture15.2
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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
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95c Gita 13.3-6 Q and A Sequence of manifestation, Knowing = BeingLecture15.7
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96a Gita 13.7 Intro to Value of ValuesLecture15.8
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96b Gita 13.7 Values contd. and AmanitvamLecture15.9
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97a Gita 13.7 Values are universal but not absolute Adambhitvam – absence of non pretensionLecture15.10
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97b Gita 13.7b Values contd. Ahimsa-non harming, Kshanti – AccommodationLecture15.11
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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
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98a Gita 13.7 a Values – Aarjvam, AcharyopaasanamLecture15.13
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98b Gita 13.7b ShauchamLecture15.14
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98c Gita 13.7c Values Q n A Applying the values etcLecture15.15
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99a Gita 13.7 Values – Sthairyam – SteadinessLecture15.16
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99b Gita 13.7b Atmavinigraha – Mastery of the mindLecture15.17
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99c Gita 13.8 Indriyaartheshu Vairagyamssion towards the sense objectsLecture15.18
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99d Gita 13.8 Anahankaara – Absence of prideLecture15.19
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99e Gita 13.8 Q n ALecture15.20
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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
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100b Gita 13.9 Asaktih-Absence of sense of ownership and Anabhishvangah – Absence of obsession towards the child, partner house and the likeLecture15.22
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100c Gita 13.8-9 Q and A Give and take in relationships, Parenting, Friendships drifting apart etcLecture15.23
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101a Gita 13.9 Nityam cha samachitatvam ishtanishtoppapatishu – Evenness of mind re-desirable and undesirableLecture15.24
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101b Gita 13.10 Mayi cha ananya-yogena-bhakti-avyabhicharini, viviktadesha-sevitam, aratih-janasamsadi (unswerving devotion, resorting to quiet place, no longing for companyLecture15.25
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101c Gita 13.9-10 Q and A (Is Gita primarily psychological, Subjectivity of truthLecture15.26
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102a Gita 13.11 Overview of values and Tattva-jnanartha-darsanam – Purpose of knowledge, Adhyatma-jnana-nityatvam – constancy and commitmentLecture15.27
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102b Gita 13.12 Intro to jneyam and Role play of encouragement to have a variety of supportive responses in one’s toolkitLecture15.28
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103a Gita 13.13 Brahman is everything and Question about application of ValuesLecture15.29
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103b Gita 13.14 Brahman is nirguna (without attributes)Lecture15.30
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103c Gita 13.13-14 Q and A (Values, Brahman – Atma etc)Lecture15.31
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104a Gita 13.13-14 I am Brahman (Guided Meditation)Lecture15.32
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104b Gita 13.15 Brahman is inside and outsideLecture15.33
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104c Gita 13.16-18 Brahman remains undivided, Light of all lights, My devoteeLecture15.34
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104d Gita 13.15-18 Q and A (Is Awareness a part of the brain etc)Lecture15.35
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105a Gita 13.19-20 Introduction to Purusha and PrakrtiLecture15.36
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105b Gita 13.21-23 What happens to the one who knows Purusha and Prakrti clearly?Lecture15.37
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* श्लोक २१ *
बाह्यस्पर्शेष्वसक्तात्मा विन्दत्यात्मनि यत्सुखम् ।
स ब्रह्मयोगयुक्तात्मा सुखमक्षयमश्नुते ॥ २१॥
So, this person who is being referred to as बाह्यस्पर्शेषु असक्तात्मा | (This is बहुव्रीहि समास )
A person is being referred to- the one who, whose mind is not attached to what is बाह्य(external) i.e. sense objects.
Now स्पर्श generally means touch.
But बाह्यस्पर्शेषु is referring to all kinds of sense objects which are external to you.
So the mango that you must enjoy if you are in India, especially because now mango season is coming to an end. Or interacting with a loved one, or watching a movie, or listening to some music. These are all different sense objects.
The wise person is not attached to any of them.
Not attached? So, suppose you bring a mango will the person say to throw away the mango. No.
So understand this ‘not attached’. Not attached means not dependent on.
If the mango is there, I enjoy it, if the mango is not there, then no problem.
That is समस्थिति: |
And the सुखम् that is gained, विन्दति,
आत्मनि यत् सुखम् |
So the wise person recognizes that सुखम्/आनन्द is one’s own nature.
We find it difficult to recognize it because for us, happiness is conditional.
I will be happy when __________. So, we have certain statements.
I will be happy when- I have peace of mind. I will be happy when- I clear the exam. I will be happy when- I get into a long term वेदान्त course. I will be happy when- my health is top class. I will be happy when- at least one person in this world understands me. I will be happy when- I have a child etc. etc.
We are the ones who place a condition on our आनन्द and then we complain- oh, but I’m so unhappy.
+Quick exercise+
Switch on your video. Switch to the gallery view. Look around at everyone and allow yourself to look at one person. And what we’re going to do is smile for a minute and just extend affection to that person, whoever that person is that you are smiling at.
After one minute…Okay, now how are we feeling?
– Lighter. Happy. Good. Smile is still there somewhat- That’s great. Exposed- yeah, we’re a little self conscious, that’s fine. Connected-Yes. Awkward- that’s fine.
Now. It’s so easy to feel happy. Maybe the problems of your life are still there. And you might have to get to whatever other tasks.
But just the simple act of smiling helps us to invoke that happy self that we always are actually.
Can you see how we convince ourselves that unless this condition is fulfilled, I cannot be happy; I am betraying myself if I am happy.
Now of course one person will argue- Smiling is not necessarily a sign of happiness, one can be fake about it.
Yeah, sure. I’m not denying that.
But this is something you can do. Just to invoke what is already there, you are not creating some happiness and all that. You have not gained anything. You have not lost anything. You just smile. Simple. All of us have been given this ability to smile.
And in that moment, you felt connected, compassionate, lighter, etc., etc. Happy. No great conditions were met. No conditions applied.
सुख- Yes, we have experienced that.
So, I am not dependent on the fulfilment of something.
Yes, of course I would like it to happen. But if it doesn’t happen, I can continue to be happy. I’m not faking it.
So my happiness is not in the hands of somebody else who has the remote control.
And this ब्रह्मयोगयुक्तात्मा,
युक्त: is the one who is together, the one who is a कर्म योगी |
How is that person’s आनन्द?
सुखम् अक्षयम् अश्नुते – the person gains सुख; what kind of सुख is that? अक्षयम्- there is no क्षय i.e. there is no change, no waxing-waning.
So that सुखम् is not born out of your contact with an external object. But it is your very nature सुखम्/आनन्द |
And sometimes when you enjoy the mango, you will be a little more delighted.
And then if there is a sad event, or maybe you are empathizing with someone, then maybe that आनन्द will not be fully manifest.
But आनन्द you are. Limitless. अनन्त |
So this is a good exercise to do to remind yourself that सुखम् is my nature- just smile, whether you want to smile at somebody else or not, for one minute from time to time during the day, just get in touch with what you really are which is सुख |
On the other hand-
* श्लोक २२ *
ये हि संस्पर्शजा भोगा दु:खयोनय एव ते ।
आद्यन्तवन्त: कौन्तेय न तेषु रमते बुध: ॥ २२॥
So there are different kinds of भोग i.e. different kinds of enjoyment/experiences that are born out of contact with sense objects.
And what are they?
दु:खयोनय: | They are the source of pain. Why is it painful? Enjoying the mango is not painful at all. No, it is. Why? Because it is आदि and अन्त, i.e. it has a beginning, it has an end. So before I’m going to bite into the mango, I am so looking forward to it. Then, let’s say it fell down on the dirty ground. Gone, अन्त, ended. Your सुख has ended. So that is the nature of every सुख which is born of contact with a sense object.
So here the teaching is not that do not enjoy sense objects. No. Because this is what people will take away.
The teaching is that one should understand that all सुख/happiness that is born of interaction with something, whether it’s music or fragrance or eating or interacting, all these experiences they have a beginning and they have an end. This is a truth.
And that’s why they cause us pain.
You went to Kedarnath, one of the Char Dhams, and then you got caught up in the crowds. Two years after pandemic, it seems as if the whole world has gone to Kedarnath. So it’s so crowded, maybe you were not able to have दर्शन्, or maybe you did. You had great dreams that when I go to Kedarnath, I will chant, I will do this, I will do that. Then let’s say the pilgrimage happened. Now it’s over. I was so happy in the mountains, the crisp mountain air, and the beautiful waters, and the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi flowing by as we walked, and we chanted, and we felt one with everyone. Now it’s over. Back to the heat of Bombay, or wherever.
So a great, spiritual, elevating experience came to an end.
दु:खयोनि, all experiences are like this.
You sit in समाधि | When you have the experience of समाधि you don’t know that it is समाधि, you get to know only later. But you have an experience of oneness, whether it is physical intimacy, or you are enjoying a mango, or you have gone on pilgrimage, or you are meditating. The nature of every experience is it will begin, it will end. Maybe in two minutes, in two hours, in 20 days, some end will happen and therefore it causes pain.
And so if I am dependent on that object, then you can see how conditional my happiness is. I set myself up to be unhappy.
And so to be independent, and still enjoy all that is there is absolutely wonderful. Because you are not conditioned by a particular kind of सुख |
One teaspoon of sugar in my coffee. That’s it. If that doesn’t happen, my whole day is spoilt.
So like that we have so many conditions.
One person is very anxious about going back to work. Why? Because working from home, I can control all the parameters. Now, when I go back to work, I cannot. So I feel in charge and happy because I can control the temperature, the kind of noise that is present, if I want to log out, log in, but now once I’m back at work, I don’t have so many controls, so not looking forward to going back to work at all. Virtually working from home is perfect.
The wise person, न तेषु रमते बुध: |
बुध:/बुध, we of course refer to a person, Siddhartha. So earlier He was Siddhartha, so Gautam Budha, but बुध the Sanskrit word means the wise person. So it’s not like there’s only one Budha in this world. Any wise person can be called the Budha. So this बुध, not बुद्ध | बुद्ध means old person in Hindi. And not बुद्धू which means foolish. This is बुध | So, not बुद also. There is महाप्राण where you exhale when you bring your tongue to between the upper part of your teeth~ ध not द |
The wise person/ बुध:, न तेषु रमते |
Sense objects are there, not there, etc. Okay, great.
Just like you got a glimpse of the fact that I can be happy as I just smile. I don’t need much to be happy.
Likewise, the wise person also recognizes this to be a fact.
* श्लोक २३ *
शक्नोतीहैव य: सोढुं प्राक्शरीरविमोक्षणात् ।
कामक्रोधोद्भवं वेगं स युक्त: स सुखी नर: ॥ २३॥
So this is also a reminder of some verses which speak of the relationship between काम and क्रोध |
Always remember whenever काम is mentioned in the श्रीमद् भगवद्-गीता, it is talking about binding-desires.
So, who is the कर्मयोगी?
य: – the one,
सोढुं शक्नोति- who is able to master,
What?
काम क्रोध उद्भवं वेगम् |
So वेगम् is the force/momentum that is born of anger.
And generally we experience anger when our काम is not fulfilled. So some desire we have, is not fulfilled, and therefore we are raging.
Then what happens as a result of that?
Then, we don’t know what happens actually. If the force/momentum is so strong, then somebody will become a victim of our anger. The tongue lashes left, right and center, you say all kinds of things. You may also do certain things.
In the recent Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial, what वेगम् | Or even the recent gun killings.
So the force that is born out of anger. Why? Because you wanted certain things done your way. So you can’t really manage anger.
People write books on anger management.
And you will be more angry if somebody says to take a deep breath. Or if you’re angry and someone says- please have a glass of water, you will want to fling the water on that person’s face. Of course you will not do it, that’s another story. Or maybe the typical solutions- count one to ten, maybe you’ll get some space.
The point is anger really in that sense cannot be managed, but what can be managed? The intensity of your काम |
People don’t focus on that. They will just suppress the anger, but this is what they want no matter what. That’s काम- Binding desire, without this I am incomplete.
And so how do we experience this anger? So physiologically you’re sweating and your voice is raised although the person is two feet away. The person can hear you very clearly even if you whisper but no, you are shouting. And then there is restlessness, you cannot focus.
Suppose you are angry, currently in a fight. Or you are angry about something that happened, let’s say 20 years ago. What happens as a result of that?
You are not the master of your life. That’s the only thing that happens. Why? You cannot focus on what needs to be focused on. There are people around you that need you to respond to them, whether it’s at work or at home. But I am so obsessed with my anger and how did this happen, it should not have happened etcetera, etcetera. I cannot focus, I am restless, I am not available to others. Definitely I am not happy. Whether it is righteous anger or non-righteous anger.
Because a lot of us can have righteous anger- Look at the state of the world today. Nobody is doing anything, etcetera, etcetera. You don’t have to do much to be angry. Just switch on the news channel and watch for five minutes. There is enough and more to make you angry, because there is a lot of injustice in this world, as much as there is justice also. But of course we choose to focus on the injustice and get angry etc., etc.
I am not a master.
On the other hand, for the one who is able to master this वेगम्/force/momentum born of anger related to the intensity of the desire,
that person,
स युक्त: स सुखी नर: – that person is together and is सुखी |
So remember, that सुखम् is continuing from the previous verse.
And he doesn’t have to wait until the end of life,
प्राक्शरीर विमोक्षणात् – so before the body dies away, even before that release from the body,
the person is a कर्मयोगी, the person is a master.
So we recognize the extra effort that is required to counter काम |
How can we make a desire non-binding? कर्म योग |
Right now, this must happen in my life- I must be married, or I must have a partner.
Very binding. Then work towards it.
Offer your कर्म to ईश्वर and learn to accept the results.
And keep improvising, keep innovating. Work towards it.
So then the more you grow in your acceptance, it won’t bother you if it doesn’t work out.
Or you are open to different permutations and combinations of relationships. Earlier you were like- no I have to be married now. But now- Maybe we could do a live-in, or maybe we could do a long distance. But I’m happy to have someone in my life.
So, highlighting that कर्म योग makes you happy, कर्म योग makes you a master.
You are still struggling with a lot of situations. But because of your recognition of ईश्वर pervading the laws of कर्म, because of your growing acceptance of yourself, of others around you, you are a naturally happy person.
ॐ