Arsha Vijnana Gurukulam

A person is bound in the dream-state even though there are no external objects. On the other hand, even with the presence of external objects, a person is not bound in the states of samādhi, deep sleep and unconsciousness. This is beautifully illustrated with the example. Listen to find out!

Through the logic of invariable concomitance, it can be said that the subjective component (the internalized object) is the cause of bondage for the jīva. In its presence, sorrow and happiness arise, and in its absence, they too are gone.

How does Vedānta Śāstra talk about the cognition of objects? This episode focuses on the process of cognition.

We saw that  there is no subjective perception without the internalization. This claim is again challenged by the Pūrvapakṣa. Elucidating beautifully what this subjective internalized perception is, Swaminiji expounds also on how to come out of it.  

Verse 23, talked about how the same woman, seen through competing minds, appear differently to different people. In this episode, an objection against this viewpoint is raised by the Pūrvapakṣa and to this, Swami Vidyaranya responds expertly, elucidating the point that one always relates to the subjective person and not the objective person. That indeed there are two individuals. How? Listen to le...

Objects created by Īśvara do not alter. However, owning to the varied mental states of the jīva, the threefold feeling of like, dislike or indifference  are projected onto the objects. Swami Vidyaranya, illustrates this point beautifully with an example of a gem.

This whole chapter establishes the Vyāvahārika sat, the transaction reality, in order to gain a foothold in understanding this Jagat. The difference between Īśvara sṛṣṭi as an objective projection, and jīva sṛṣṭi as a subjective and frantic superimposition are expounded upon beautifully.

This is a recording of an impromptu satsang with Swaminiji at AVG -Saylorsburg, in December.

Listen tot Swamini Svatmavidyananda-ji's beautiful new year message to set the tone and begin this new year on a blessed note. 

The duality projected by the Jīva is described in the Saptānna-Brāhmaṇa. Although these 'seven kinds of foods' are really produced by Īśvara, how the jīva transforms them into objects of enjoyment through its own action and meditation is explained in this episode. 

With this episode we enter into the exposition of jīva sṛṣṭi. There are 6 things that are beginning-less says the Śāstras, listen to learn more. Verses 14-17 are an interesting summary from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, where the Jagat is looked at through the saptānna or the 7 kinds of food. 

This is the concluding verse on the exposition of Īśvara sṛṣṭi. This episode delves deeper into the threefold reasons for the jīva being born.  

This episode is a refresher on what has been covered so far. The two definitions of the pāramārthika sattā and the Vyāvahārika sattā are explained in detail.  

How Īśvara 'acquires' jīva-ness, is explained in two ways through the theory of reflected consciousness- pratibimbavāda, and the theory of conditioned consciousness- Avacchedavāda. This episode further expounds beautifully on the two powers of Māyā, the veiling power- āvaraṇaśakti, and the projecting power- vikṣepaśakti.

Start the New year by meditating on the vision of liberation and deepen your sense of surrender and acceptance. Disclaimer: Please do not listen to this mediation while driving or operating machinery.  

This jagat is not a creation but more of a manifestation. There is no creator and no created.  Īśvara is explained at the individual and collective level (vyaṣṭi and samaṣṭi), taking the three states of waking, dreaming and sleeping. What then is jīva and how did Īśvara become jīva is expounded upon.

How did Īśvara enter the various upādhi of names and forms? How does one over come the prātibhāsika sattā- one's own subjective reality? Swaminiji expounds on the three orders of reality in this extremely insightful episode. 

Verses 8 & 9 are from the Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad, which are the concluding verses about the origins of this Jagat in this text. It says, that before all this came into being, Jagat alone was, as an unmanifest potential. How then did the manifest come from the un-manifest? This is answered beautifully with the explanation of virāṭ and viśva. 

Verse 5 and 6 explains how this creation is none other than Bhagavan. How then did this one become many, is explained in this episode with the help of a beautiful verse from Chāndogya Upaniṣad.

Three ways in which Īśvara's saṅkalpā is different from Jiva's saṅkalpā is presented in this episode. A verse from Taittirīya Upaniṣad, talking about the cosmology of the universe is then discussed, so as to emphasize on the point that, Īśvara's creation is both spontaneous and orderly.

What is Īśvaratvam and Jīvatvam? How was this Jagat 'created'? All this is explained in detail in this episode. 

The importance of Śabda Pramāṇa is elucidated in this episode. Further, a detailed explanation on Īśvara and Maya is given by examining a beautiful verse from śvetāśvatara Upanisad.      

The meaning of āpi in Īśvareṇāpi is loaded with significance. This is described expansively in this episode. A beautiful explanation on the purpose of this chapter is also given, which is to delineates two kinds of dualities. 

Why should one study about duality? Why does one, despite the vision of non-duality, repeatedly succumb to duality? All this is explained in this episode. 

This episode beautifully explains the meaning of the invocatory verse of Pañcadaśī. The invocatory verse is direct, i.e. it clearly states the purpose of this text and states the importance a Guru.