Arsha Vijnana Gurukulam

Pañcadaśī is an extremely significant text composed in the 14th century by the revered scholar, Swami Vidyaranya. Pañcadaśī consists of 15 chapters, divided into three quintets, the three aspects of Brahman as Sat-Chit-Ananda. Every chapter is a standalone and unique. This 4th chapter, expounds on the very important topic of 'Discrimination of Duality'.  

Vedanta shows us how to deal with Jagat as nothing other than Bhagavan's sristi. Hence, cultivating Satva guna is advised since it is the weakest link to saṃsāra and can be broken more easily. This last episode, talks about Kshama (accommodation) and Dhriti (courage), two important tools to be bring more Satva into one's life. 

Examining the Gita verses, Swaminiji sheds light on the nature and subtleties of gunas. How do gunas bind one to a life of samsara? How do they express in the body-mind-sense complex? Moreover, why is a balanced lifestyle and diet emphasized for the one pursuing Self knowledge. 

Nothing in this universe is outside of the three Gunas of sattva, rajas and tamas. This episode forms a part of a series of talks by Swamini Svatmavidyanada as she expounds about the gunas being manifest in all bodies, and more importantly how understanding their characteristics helps or hinders one's spiritual pursuit. 

The last verse of this text says that, the person whose mind has become identified with the Self is not a mere knower of Brahman (brahmavit), but Brahman itself (brahmaiva). Thus, Adi Sankara resolves this situation with the Caṇḍāla with immense humility, which comes only with Self knowledge. 

This is a beautiful verse which talks about the truth of the vision. Time, space and object bound limitation are knocked off to show that all there is, is consciousness alone.

"Brahman is the gift of being present, unplagued by the past and future." How does karma operate for a Jñānī ? This episode explain the laws of karma and expounds on that which lends sentiency to the insentient.

This episode explains the meaning of brahmaivāham - 'I am that Brahman alone'. A mahāvākya in itself, verse 3, then goes on to elucidates how this knowledge of the Self is to be gained. 

Who is a Guru? Adi Sankara, in the very 1st verse of this text, talks about the qualifications of a Guru, thus, expounding beautifully on the truth of the Self.

The Caṇḍāla having been asked to move out of Adi Sankara's way, replies in two beautiful verses, thereby displaying his great erudition. As the story goes, Adi Sankara falls at his feet and thus begins the verses of Manisha Panchakam. 

Manisha Panchakam is a quintet of 5 verses on self knowledge, attributed to Adi Shankaracharya. It is a nididhyāsana grantha, a contemplative text which to helps one assimilate what has been studied thus far. 

 How to deal with negative emotions? what is the significance of the three states of waking, dreaming and sleeping? What is freewill? In this episode, Swaminiji answers all these questions and more.

This episode gives a concise and precise explanation on the meaning and significance of the Gayatri Mantra. Mantra: Om bhūrbhuvassuvaḥ tatsaviturvareṇyam bhargo devasya dhīmahi dhīyo yo naḥ pracodayāt  

How long should one meditate? How does a Jñānī live his/her life? These last verses describe a Jñānī and this Upaniṣad ends here on a grand note on why one strive to gain this knowledge. Om Tat Sat!

This 14 mins meditation is great to quieten the mind and tap into the source of your being, the truth of you as the silent witness of all things.  Disclaimer: Please do not listen to this mediation while driving or operating machinery.  

How to develop a mind ready for this knowledge? Mantras from the Amritabindu Upanishad are discussed here, which tell us how to cultivate chitta shuddhi and chitta nischalyam required in the pursuit of Self knowledge.

This episode expounds on a beautiful verse which state that thoughts alone are saṃsāra, therefore, one has to strive to purify the thoughts. Whatever a person thinks, that is what he/she becomes.

Why is meditation necessary? This verse says that even after a lot of practice there is a way to get derailed. How does one overcome this obstacle?

How to prepare the mind for this knowledge in Kali Yuga? This episode onwards, Swaminiji will be expounding on selected verses from various Upaniṣads which are presented in the Maitri Upaniṣad.

Bhagavan who is Chaitanya ātma, 'created' this whole universe without any desire and manifested as the Jiva, as though caught up in the mechanisms of the mind. This episode sums up this profound verse which is a mahāvākya elucidating the oneness of Jiva with Īśvara.

A mind that doesn't clamor after every thought and emotion is a prerequisite for all sadhakas. This short meditation helps one manage these uncontrollable thoughts and emotions one has about oneself and the world.  Disclaimer: Please do not listen to this mediation while driving or operating machinery.    

This Upaniṣad unfolds the meaning of Kshetragjñaḥ beautifully as that conscious being, which is the knower of this body, manifest in the form of the faculty of the mind, characterized by its capacity of conceiving, resolution, and “I” notion.   

What really is avidyā? what is Ātmajñāna? If the truth of all being is Bhagavan, how did it become this Purusha? Listen to find out. 

The difference between Jiva and Īśvara are not separated by time and space. Ātmajñānam, ignorance due to māyāśakti, is the separating factor between Jiva and Īśvara. This episode gives the definitions of Sat, and Jagat or Mithyā. 

Why is the creation mythology given in the Srutis? and why is it said that Jiva is not a creation of Bhagavan? This talk is a must listen to remove all doubts and understand the purport behind the creation mythology.