Arsha Vijnana Gurukulam

It was expounded earlier that this universe was created by that being, devoid of any desire to create. Puzzled by this statement, the astute Valakhilyas ask Prajapati to explain how a creation is possible without a desiring creator.  Listen to this deeply insightful episode, as Prajapati presents an astounding analogy of sleep to elucidate this very point.

Mantra Japa is a highly recommended practice to help focus the mind to stay on one thought alone. This practice done daily, brings about great concentration and focus, needed for the assimilation of the teachings. Join in to chant Om Namaḥ Śivāya 1008 times.  Disclaimer: Please do not listen to this episode while driving or operating machinery.  

Mantra 5 is very important, in which it is an answer to the Valakhilyas' question. Puruṣasaṃjño in this verse is a mahāvākya, wherein the transcendental and the immanent aspect of Brahman explained in the previous verse is brought together.

What is the meaning of puruṣa? Why is the infallible 'creator', Bhagavan and the fallible Jiva both called by this name? What does it mean when the impeller behind the creation is said to be un-objectifiable, Adṛṣyaḥ?   

The Valakhilyas, after having listened attentively to Lord Prajapati ask a brilliantly astute question. How can this being which has no desires create and how can this being be the impeller? Listen to find out!

This verse says that Bhagavan, the intelligence behind everything is  nirātmāna- one without a mind, ananata- limitless, not dependent of anything, unchanging, and that which abides in its own glory. Listen to this episode to understand the nuanced explanation of these words.

What is Śūnyaḥ? This Upaniṣad is one of the few to use the word Śūnyaḥ, listen to understand the correct meaning of the word. This episode is a continuation of the conversation between Valakhilyas and Lord Prajapati about Brahman.

Thoughts are most common in our experience. They appear from nowhere and seem to disappear in a flash. They are not in our control. Yet they are fundamental to human life and activity. Meditation helps us tame the mind and have a say over our thoughts. Disclaimer: Please do not listen to this mediation while driving or operating machinery.

This episode continues with the definition of Brahman as jagat karanam which has to be fully understood, assimilated and internalized. 

Verse 3 talked about bhagavan and bhagavati, who is the Jagat karta, the Shakti. Verse 4 is an explanation on how this being creates. Sattā sphūrti pradhānena srijati, it creates by lending its sentience and existence to everything. Anything that exists is non-separate from Bhagavan and anything that exists is all knowledge. 

The Upaniṣads removes ignorance and through this removal, the self effulgent glorious presence is revealed. Hence, Īśvara cannot be established through inference. Listen to this very astute reasoning as to why the purva pakshi's contention that this universe has many creators  falls apart on proper reasoning and inquiry.

Verse 3 introduces us to the renunciates of the highest order, a group of Rishis called Vālakhilyā. They ask Lord Prajapati for the knowledge, for the explanation of that, by which all things insentient as though appear sentient. This verse oozes great wisdom and knowledge, a result of the profound contemplation by the Rishis.

Sage Śākāyanya begins to teach King Bṛhadratha exactly what was unfolded to him by his teacher -Lord Maitri, thus, displaying the highly effective, alive and sacred tradition of the Guru-Sishya parampara. This episode, by way of another story, gives us three important qualities to cultivate for clarity after the exposure of this knowledge. 

Practice this meditation to allow yourself space to examine any deep seated anger and heal from it. Understand that anger is but an unfulfilled desire and build the emotional maturity to surrender all that is not in your control. Disclaimer: Please do not listen to this mediation while driving or operating machinery.  

Continuing with King Bṛhadratha's monologue, mantras 5 and 6, talk about the finitude of being an enjoyer, a bhokta, and the impermanence of the objects of enjoyment, bhoga. This episode gives you an understanding of what Saṃsāra entails. Learn a beautiful prayer to remove all obstacles within and without, to help yourself in your study of the Śāstras through a Guru.   The Prayer: oṃ āpyāyantu mam...

As one studies and gains the knowledge, viveka and vairāgya is gained. Sage Śākāyanya pleased with King Bṛhadratha penance, tells him to ask for any boon, however, the king launches into a monologue on the reality of the gross, mental and subtle bodies, displaying immense viveka and vairāgya. These mantras serve to give one instant vairāgya.  

King Bṛhadratha's austerity results in the manifestation of a teacher, as the great Sage Śākāyanya. In this episode, we begin Swami Rama Tirtha's erudite commentary on this Upaniṣad, giving us a deeper understanding on what vairāgya and tapas means and why titikṣā, forbearance is important for Self-knowledge. 

This Upaniṣad asks us to turn to karma yoga right away by spiritualizing all actions. It lays great emphasis on the importance on being contemplative on the Self. It asks us to meditate on prana, the life force and vayu, air, to understand the sarvātmābhava, the interconnected whole. Verse 2 then goes on to illustrate a beautiful story of King Bṛhadratha, who desirous of a Guru, renounces his king...

Maitri Upaniṣad appears in the Krishna yajurveda right in the middle. This Upanishad is unique in which, it is the only Upanishad to use the word Śūnya, hence it is also popular among the buddhist and among the proponents of the Sāṅkhya philosophy. Dive into this text and listen to the exposition of Verse 1.

Practice this meditation to assimilate the truth of yourself as ever free, cultivate a healthy objectivity towards the body-mind-sense complex to see you are but that awareness alone. Disclaimer: Please do not listen to this mediation while driving or operating machinery.      

With the Guru's blessings, we begin a new text called the Maitri Upaniṣad. This episode is a brief introduction on the meaning of the word Upaniṣad, the reason for studying it, and what it reveals.

Accustomed to severe subjectivity, one is mired in the same cycles of pain, sorrow, guilt, hurt and anger. Practice this meditation to cultivate a loving objectivity, and to understand the nature of things in order to finally let go. Disclaimer: Please do not listen to this mediation while driving or operating machinery.

This Upaniṣad ends on an auspicious note by prescribing a sādhanā, an aid to help overcome the obstacles in the way of this knowledge. The sādhanā prescribed is in the form of a very powerful prayer called Sri Rudram, which when chanted regularly reveals the truth of oneself as that which alone is -Kaivalyam. Note: The entire talk on Sri Rudram is available in this podcast. Scroll to the 1st episo...

As we near the end of the text, we are given the phala sruti, the benefit of learning this text; one assimilates the pure nature of the ātman thereby knowing the nature of the indwelling self as impartite, non-dual, absolute, beyond cause and effect and as the witness of everything. 

This guided mediation is to cultivate courage with understanding in the face of difficult and distressful situations, and heal from them. Meditate on the meaning of the karmic order to see that the disorder is but a part of the vast order. Disclaimer: Please do not listen to this mediation while driving or operating machinery.