Arsha Vijnana Gurukulam

Uparama and Titiksha, the next qualifications in the six pack of Samadi Shatka Sampatti is explained in this episode.  

Dama, the second qualification in the six pack of Samadi Shatka Sampatti is explained beautifully as being appropriate responses in different situations.

The third qualification called Samadi Shatka Sampatti is a pack of six qualifications, the first qualification Śama is explained in this episode.

In this episode, Swaminiji expounds on one of the most important qualification Mumukṣutvam- a desire for freedom from saṃsāra, for the study of Vedanta Shastra.

Continuing with the fourfold qualification, sādhana-catuṣṭayam required for gaining self-knowledge, this episode expounds on the meaning and importance of vairāgya.

In this series Swaminiji will be expounding on the fourfold qualification, sādhana-catuṣṭayam required for gaining self-knowledge. This episode talks about the need for Vivēka - discernment between what is real (nitya) and unreal (anitya).

This last verse is the phala sruti. It has been made clear that Lord Dakshinamurti is the truth of everything, the manifested and the manifest is one and the same and this takes a form of Sarvātmābhāva whichi s the hallmark of a Jnani. Lord Dakishinamurti is the last frontier of duality that resolves into Sarvātmābhāva.

The one who sees the world as cause and effect is the same 'I' that shines in and through all the states. The logic that the 'I' never comes to an end is in keeping with the Śruti, which says there is no difference between Īśvara and jiva other than añjanaṃ. When it is removed the person sees everything as one. The purpose of the teaching therefore, is the removal of removal of añjanaṃ or añjanaṃ...

The teaching pedagogy of anvayavyatireka, invariable concomitance is talked about in verse 7. The invariable being the constant, unchanging aham, 'I' alone which makes all the variables come to light. The knowledge of which is taught by the compassionate Lord Dakṣiṇāmūrti.

This knowledge in the form of Lord Dakṣiṇāmūrti frees one from all limiting and disempowering notions and contentions. That light which is all knowledge, that Ātmā cognized in the mind 'as though' comes under the spell of maya. This covering is expounded on beautifully and all contentions are dismissed.

Mantra 4 talks about jñāpti svarūpa, that undifferentiated consciousness which is the indweller of this body-mind -sense complex which obtains as "I", and is Lord Dakṣiṇāmūrti himself. Mantra 5, gets into the finer points of the different schools of philosophies for deeper clarity.          

That sphuraṇaṃ, consciousness manifests as the whole world, lending its sentiency to all, making the insentient (asat) appear sentient (sat). To understand this, Swaminiji explains the manifest chaitanya in three ways as the adhiṣṭhāna-chaitanya, vrtti-gata-chaitanya, and sākṣī-gata-chaitanya. The truth of the chaitanya, being non-dually one.

The meaning of Maya Shakti was explained in the previous episode. Continuing, Swaminiji beautifully elucidates why the nature of this Jagat is māyākalpita, akin to a magician conjuring up an elaborate trick.

The waking world depends upon the waker. The first two mantras discussed in this episode are mahāpratijñā- encapsulates and sets the ground for what is to come. The first mantra explains the svarūpalakṣaṇan and the second mantra explains the taṭasthalakṣaṇa of Brahman.

As we begin the stotram, one is immediately introduced to the essence of Vedanta. The meaning of viśvaṃ is expounded upon beautifully whereby, the world is shown to be nothing but a product of one's 'I cognition'. Everything here is consciousness alone and seeing this as outside of oneself is the cause of sorrow and suffering.

Who is this Lord Dakṣiṇāmūrti who teaches in silence? The following verses continue in praise of Lord Dakṣiṇāmūrti who is the embodiment of all knowledge, who is pure, calm, who is the meaning of Praṇava (Om) and who is the healer for the removal of the disease of saṃsāra.  

Another name for Lord Dakṣiṇāmūrti is Aṣṭamūrti - eight aspected deity.  These aspects are described in detail here. Further, we move onto the second verse where Swaminiji uncovers the symbolism behind the banyan tree. Lord Dakṣiṇāmūrti is seated under the banyan tree which represent samsara, telling us that as long as there is saṃsāra Dakṣiṇāmūrti is there to teach this knowledge. Listen to learn...

Beautifully expounding on the juxtaposition of the Apasmāra under the foot of Lord Dakṣiṇāmūrti which represent one's inner child and the four Rṣis seated around him which represent the emotionally mature adults ready for the knowledge, this episode continues to explain the dhyana sloka. The meaning of cin-mudrā along with why the first and foremost Adi Guru sports a gentle smile and revels in the...

This episode beautifully explains the maunavyākhyā. Lord Dakshinamurty teaches us about that Self, the truth of our selves - the subject which cannot be objectified. The Self being formless and nameless, the Adi Guru teaches through the ingenious pedagogy of negation and the indicatory words to talk about that which is impossible to be described using words.  

Dakshinamurthy Stotram is a famous set of verses attributed to Adi Śaṅkara. Stotram is a hymn in praise of the Lord and when recited gives protection. The verses talk about the truth of oneself which is directed to the Bhagavan, manifest in the form of the Ādi Guru, the first teacher -Śrī Dakṣiṇāmūrti.

In this last episode Swaminiji expounds on chapters 13 to 18 of the Bhagavad Gita, whose subject matter is the inquiry into the word 'Asi'- what you are, despite the ignorance.

Bhagavad Gita talks about the nature of reality, of what is. Chapter 7-12 explains this beautifully cultivating a deep acceptance of oneself and everyone around us.  

A must listen interview with Swamini Svatmavidyanandaji about what the shastras say regarding women teachers and monastics and how Advaita Vedanta empowers all humanity.

Continuing with the series, this episode beautifully summarizes on how the vision of Bhagavad Gita as described in Chapter 2 can be gained through two paths of karma yoga or sannyāsa.  The 5th chapter then goes on to expound on how one should meditate.  

This episode is part of a series that gives the total vision of the Bhagavad Gita in a capsule form. Bhagavad Gita reveals the primary message of the Upanishads hence, for the one desirous of mokṣā, a thorough study of the Bhagavad Gita is said to be enough.