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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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So, we are approaching the end of Chapter Five- संन्यास-योग, the last few verses where भगवान् श्री कृष्ण is describing विदेहमुक्ति |
मुक्ति means freedom.
While the person is alive, the person is free, i.e. has the vision of freedom called जीवन्मुक्ति and,
विदेहमुक्ति- obviously when the body drops, then there is complete freedom in the sense that there is no medium.
* श्लोक २४ *
योऽन्त:सुखोऽन्तरारामस्तथान्तर्ज्योतिरेव य: ।
स योगी ब्रह्मनिर्वाणं ब्रह्मभूतोऽधिगच्छति ॥ २४॥
Describing the wise person,
य: – the one whose,
अन्त-सुख: – सुख/fulfillment is in oneself.
Then a greater degree,
अन्तराराम: – the one who revels in oneself.
Then even greater clarity,
अन्त-ज्योति: एव य: – Here ज्योति is not consciousness, but refers to the one whose mind illumines everything, the mind is awake to oneself.
So referring to the wise person, what about that person?
The wise person is also referred to as स: योगी |
This wise person, ब्रह्मनिर्वाणम् – gains निर्वाण | निर्वाण is a term that Buddhists use very often. In Pali and Prakrit they may say ‘nirbaana’, and that’s how they pronounce it.
So, ब्रह्मनिर्वाणम् – that one has recognized oneself to be ब्रह्मन्,
ब्रह्मभूत: अधिगच्छति – gains that freedom which is ब्रह्मन् |
So now this inquiry into सुख/happiness is a very important inquiry.
You know how the Superman Film has that dialogue- Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Superman.
So when it comes to happiness- Is it an object? Is it a person? No, it’s you.
What we refer to as happiness/fullness is you- to be understood.
Let’s assume happiness, whatever we understand by happiness, is in an object. Okay, it could be a mango, it could be an ice-cream, it could be a book. Anything, any desired object. Then logically, because happiness is a quality of that object, it should be able to evoke happiness of you all the time. But experientially, it doesn’t happen that way. Right?
So that object, whatever that object is, makes you happy, maybe over a length of time, and then we find that you don’t even know where that object is, i.e. a toy you used in childhood.
Then, is happiness a quality of that object? The answer is no.
Then, maybe I’m not a very materialistic person, maybe happiness lies in relationships. So this person, whoever that person is~ my partner, my child, etc., happiness is a quality that belongs to that person. When I am in the presence of that person, I am happy. We have all experienced this.
We have also experienced that the people we love very deeply, also hurt us the most. And so if indeed happiness was a quality that belonged to the person, then that person should be able to make me happy at all times, in all places, in all situations.
But our experience suggests that doesn’t happen.
So now where do I look for this? The object earlier was an object of desire, or it could have been a person, then happiness does not lie in either the object or the person.
Where else? Because we’ve covered pretty much the external world.
Oh, it lies within.
Oh really- like happy lungs, happy kidney. Internal means what?
Or maybe Happy Hours. But for Happy Hour you still have to shell out money. It’s happy only for the one who runs the club. Not for you, because of course you get a discount, but you still have to shell out money, and it’s very likely that one will be sloshed because one enjoyed the Happy Hour.
Okay, let’s get a bit spiritual and say- no, no, there are certain very auspicious times during the day~ Abhijit Muhurta, Vijaya-Yoga, Ravi-Yoga, so maybe those are happy times. Not for everyone.
So then there is no time that is a happy time in and of itself.
But what we understand in our experience of happiness is that I, the one who wants to be happy, and what I relate with~ the person or the object, when both of these fuse, such that there is no separation experienced, then even if the world is falling apart, I am okay.
Some of you all would have seen the movie ‘Life is beautiful’. So the way in which the father engages with the child in a concentration camp and converts all obstacles into fun things. It’s a concentration camp- the worst place to be, yet both the father and the child can laugh, smile and still have happy moments.
So this fusion of the subject and the object- when you go out for a walk in nature, when you are spending time with a loved one, when you are doing something that you really enjoy, or there’s no particular reason, but you find yourself being सुखी/happy.
And that सुख, which is really a fusion of subject and object, is the vision of the wise person.
That all the objects I interact with, they are me, from the standpoint of the building blocks, the पञ्चमहाभूत – आकाश/space, वायु/air, अग्नि/fire, आप/water, पृथ्वी/earth. Everything I relate with, interact with is a permutation-combination of the पञ्चमहाभूत |
So, really वायु inside is प्राण i.e. your breath, and there is वायु outside.
पृथ्वी definitely, we have lots of- tissues, bones, blood, fat. पृथ्वी- vegetables, whatever you eat.
Then space in all the cells, in the stomach if you’re hungry at this time, space outside.
Water, the composition in the body, blood.
अग्नि that keeps the body warm. Whether you’re in a hot climate, then you’re sweating buckets, or you’re in a cold climate, then it’s working really hard to keep your body warm.
पञ्चमहाभूत ~ All the way.
So whatever object I’m interacting with, the person I’m interacting with, is me.
Subject-object divide does not exist in the vision.
Object- I will still not confuse an apple for a stone. I’m not going to eat the stone.
Because some people think- Oh, I’m going to treat everyone alike. No, no, no, please don’t do that.
You recognize the व्यावहारिक/functional difference, but you see that all that is here is you, is the आत्मा | Or we can say that all that is here is ईश्वर | Either way, depending on where you are at.
So for this wise person, अन्त-सुख:, that my आनन्द i.e. the fullness that I am, the vision that there is no subject-object divide, is not affected by my रागद्वेष |
If we really look at what interferes with our vision of fullness, or rather our experience of oneness, it is our रागद्वेष | E.g. I ordered for Belgian chocolate ice cream, but what came was butterscotch. I wanted to be one with Belgian chocolate ice cream. But I don’t like butterscotch. So, I’m going to call up customer care.
So you see how our आनन्द/fullness is at the mercy of रागद्वेष | Somebody says wonderful things. We are elevated. Somebody says one awful statement, in all the wonderful things that was said we just hold on to that- Oh, but you know what? She said that, He said that, How could you say that etcetera, etcetera. And you were spending such a wonderful time with this person. And that one statement overshadowed all the rest of the 20 wonderful statements that were made. This happens to all of us.
So for the wise person, the सुख is not tainted by रागद्वेष, because our रागद्वेष i.e. our binding desires- binding cravings and aversions, are a problem for us because they are binding. It has to happen in this way. That’s what is binding about it. If रागद्वेष-s have been reduced to preferences, then no problem.
And our personalities are very unique. We will all have preferences and that’s wonderful. It makes you who you are. It doesn’t pose a problem to you or to the other. So we don’t have to say- Oh, I’m going to be neutral. I will not have any likes any dislikes. No, that doesn’t make sense. Of course you will have. If you enjoy physics, very happy for you. If you enjoy computer science, very happy for you. Given your background, and whatever else, you found certain domains that are interesting, exciting for you. Fantastic.
But does it dictate your mood? That’s where our struggle is, and that’s what we have to grapple a bit with.
The vision of the wise person being that I am that सुख that I was seeking in the object, in the relationship and so on. And the object and the relationship helps to evoke the आनन्द that I am. So we are not saying that ब्रह्मानन्द is ultimate, and विषयानंद is poor.
The आनन्द of recognizing I am ब्रह्मन् is ultimate, and the आनन्द of an ice cream- Oh, how can you be so trivial about this? How can you be happy with these small, small things? No, that’s not what is being said.
The seemingly trivial thing is helping to evoke the आनन्द you are, and so we are grateful for it.
In the name of वैराग्य do not reject what are trivial things. You say- Oh, I’m so happy being with this person but this is not the आनन्द of ब्रह्मन् | This is not right. It is great that I have this आनन्द being with this person. I enjoy it. And it’s giving me a glimpse of the आनन्द that I am.
The आनन्द of having that Belgian chocolate ice cream is also giving me a glimpse of the आनन्द that I am.
And so you can enjoy the world; it is ईश्वर विभूति | It is the blessing of ईश्वर all the way, there is nothing to reject.
Any form including रागद्वेष is a part of ईश्वर’s order.
Then अन्त:-ज्योति: |
In केनोपनिषद्, there is a very beautiful मंत्र, which says- प्रतिबोध विदितं मतम् (मंत्र २.४).
प्रतिबोध- बोध means a cognition, a thought. So, in each and every thought, there is चैतन्यम्/consciousness.
So here we understand that-
For example, when one is asked~ what do you see? A lot of people miss the light. One would say- l see you, your hand, the flowers etc.
But that which is very obvious, that which is the basis, that which always is, while all the forms come and go, is missed.
So that consciousness that is you, which illumines different kinds of thoughts is really this अन्त:-ज्योति: |
So describing the wise person, the one who is awake to oneself, the one who sees that I am in and through every thought.
And so there is no reason to reject any thought, however unpleasant, even if you feel murderous. Or you have a great thought of giving and being generous, and whatever else. We tend to be very, very judgmental, on the basis of our thoughts. And here it’s worth reminding ourselves that what is it that as though powers every thought, what is there which is in and through each and every thought? It is consciousness, that by which the thought is illumined.
And does that consciousness come from borrowing it from some somewhere? No, it’s you.
So I am that awareness. I am that consciousness, that illumines everything.
So like the sun, the sun is not partial. The sun does not say- I am not going to illumine this sewage where all these irresponsible industrial companies are dumping their effluents. No, the sun doesn’t say that. Or- oh, I want to illumine this beautiful garden that has been nurtured with all this organic fertilizer.
I illumine. Whatever is in the way, whatever is an object of illumination, everything gets illumined.
So I-pure being, illumine all thoughts.
Is there a thought that doesn’t have me? No. This is a vision of the wise person.
So for this person, स: योगी,
ब्रह्मनिर्वाणम् – the word ब्रह्म is added, because when we use the word निर्वाण, then there might be a tendency to think that it’s all absent, it’s void. When we talk about negation- oh, it’s not this, not this, so that means it’s nothing? No.
ब्रह्मन् which is all consciousness, all inclusive.
So ब्रह्मनिर्वाणम् अधिगच्छति – gains That.
* श्लोक २५ *
लभन्ते ब्रह्मनिर्वाणमृषय: क्षीणकल्मषा: ।
छिन्नद्वैधा यतात्मान: सर्वभूतहिते रता: ॥ २५॥
So another description of the wise person.
These people/ऋषि-s gain.
ऋषय: is the plural of ऋषि-s.
ऋषि जानाति इति ऋषि- the one who knows, the one who sees the मंत्र, the one knows the truth.
So the ऋषय:,
लभन्ते – gain,
ब्रह्मनिर्वाणम् |
So ब्रह्मनिर्वाणम् is spoken of in verse 24, 25 and 26 .
Now, what do the ऋषि-s gain? They gain this liberation, they gain this freedom.
How come they manage that?
All the कल्मषा: i.e. all these different impurities, largely रागद्वेष, they have worked on it.
So it’s क्षीण- gone/destroyed.
And everyone has to work with their रागद्वेष-s. You cannot live a life without having रागद्वेष |
If you lived even 10 years of your life, you will have रागद्वेष~ I hate tomatoes. I love carrots. That’s where it begins. You will not have meals which don’t have your favorite vegetables. Then it will graduate to friends~ this is my best friend; or we are in opposing camps. And the different kinds of things that we use, we develop very strong relationships.
Naturally, if you like something very very much, you also happen to dislike the opposite. It just goes with the territory. Some people will say~ oh, I don’t have any द्वेष, I only have राग | Well be sure that you have the द्वेष of the opposite.
E.g. I like people who are authentic, somebody who is very genuine, honest.
How about people who are hypocritical? I try to avoid them.
So you may not have articulated, because you’re not the hating variety at all. Who is actually? No, we’re not. But you will invariably dislike, and sometimes with a very intense degree the opposite of what you love. It just goes with the territory.
So these ऋषय:, they also had रागद्वेष-s, and they struggled with it, and they managed to destroy it. They managed to reduce it to preferences.
And the different doubts that they had,द्वैधा – Am I a part of ईश्वर? Is आत्मा really eternal? Maybe something better than वेदान्त will come along? Would I have wasted my time in this pursuit? Every weekend I was not available for certain other outings etc., etc.
So these doubts are there. They’re there for everyone.
And what is done about it is that you don’t live with the doubt.
छिन्न द्वैधा- You resolve doubts.
Now, when we have doubts, we find that it can really sap us of our energy.
And sometimes, either because of trauma or because of critical parenting, one may become संशयात्मा (४.४०).
So, this pattern of doubting oneself may come up.
So, doubts are natural. But sometimes, we may feed a lot of doubts. So they become very very big and overwhelming. Or other people may have put some doubts in our head, and then that becomes huge. Whatever it is, you have resolved it.
And who are यतात्मान: ~ who have self mastery in the way in which they use the body and mind for the different pursuits.
And who are सर्व-भूत हिते रता: – who revel in the हित i.e. the goodness, the well being of all beings; they’re not partial.
The cheapest way i.e. the most inexpensive way to be happy is to enjoy the happiness of others.
Like when you see people who are happy, when you see people are being well looked after, you can enjoy that. But generally, when you see others happy, especially on social media where everything is a paradise- research studies show that it leads people to be depressed if they spend a certain amount of time on social media~ Oh, this one went for that kind of vacation. This one is having all the fun. And maybe the person is not showing off. Maybe the person is just sharing something. But why can’t I have that? I wish I had that etc.
So this सर्व-भूत हिते रता: – that I can genuinely be happy and wish well for everyone, which is really our prayer at the end of the class.
The prayer, सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः is helping me to pray for the well being of all. And all doesn’t only mean human beings. For all creatures- big and small, देवता-s also included. Everyone is included in this सर्व |
Insecurity drives a lot of our actions. Fullness can also drive a lot of our actions.
You are so full that you don’t need anything in particular to fulfill your agenda. You can do a lot out of the fullness of your heart. No conditions attached, no questions asked.
That’s how a lot of wise people have lived.
That’s how ऋषि-s have passed on knowledge. They’ve not copyrighted any मंत्र | A lot of the compositions, a lot of the texts don’t even have the name of the author.
Now, you come up with one quotable quote, and you will ensure that we must credit the author correctly, as there are plagiarism laws.
But here unsung. No validation, no approval, no acceptance sought. I pass it on, that’s it. Look at the expansiveness of heart.