Arsha Vijnana Gurukulam

Diving deeper into the teaching, Ashvalayana reflects on how the 'this cognition'- Idam Pratyaya gochara, folds into the 'I cognition'- Aham pratyaya gochara, making everything non-separate from 'I' and non-dually one. This is Sarvātmābhava. The consciousness 'I', alone is. I am everything, yet no object am I. How this "one became many" is explained in this talk. Further, we understand through Asv...

We now enter into a series of deeply contemplative verses which are Asvalayana's reflections on the teachings. What is this knowledge and what has been gained? This reflective process called nididhyāsana, proves to be an important process in assimilating the teaching thereby making it one’s own. 

Verse 15 tells us how everything including prāṇa and the five elements, all come from this atma alone. The meaning of prāṇa is beautifully explained in this talk along with, the two ways in which things are known- pramāṇa Siddha (objects that are revealed through a means of knowledge) & Swatah Siddha (self-revealing). Further, Ashvalayana's question on wanting to know this Brahman is answered in v...

In the mantra 12, 13 & 14 covered in this episode, the sage teaches Asvalayana the Avasthā-traya prakriyā, the teaching methodology involving the three states of waking, sleeping and dreaming.   

Align yourself to the vision of the Shastras which point to the truth of you as the ever-free, boundless, infinite, self-effulgent truth. Disclaimer: Please do not listen to this mediation while driving or operating machinery.

Omkara Upasana helps to own up to the knowledge that one is Brahman. What is Omkara mantra japa? How does it help in seeing the truth of oneself and what is the underlying factor in the three states of waking, dream and sleep and how to see the reality using this Prakriyā? Listen to find out.

Asvalayana is given the mantra of 'OM' not as a meditation but for understanding the truth of himself. The full meaning of 'OM' is explained beautifully and exhaustively in this episode. 

The two types of cognition, Idam pratyaya Gochara, 'this cognition' and Aham pratyaya Gochara, 'I' cognition', are explained in this episode. Further, we sift between Idam (this) and Aham (I) first only to cognitively resolve 'this', Idam, into the 'I', Aham. 

It was said that the only way to mokṣa is knowledge. In this episode, we examine why this knowledge is to be gained from a Guru of a sound lineage. How does one overcome resistance towards this knowledge? What is 'Tvam-Pada-Vichara', inquiry into the word 'you'? And what are the two types of cognitions? Listen to find out. 

The contemplative one alone is Brahma, Vishnu, Siva and Indra. The contemplative one is everything, all pervasive, beyond time and space and transcends mortality with knowledge- the only path to liberation, mokṣa.

Practice this mediation to journey from being embroiled in the body-mind-sense complex, I, identified as the Ahaṅkāra or ego, to the ever joyful, ever loving, ever contented, ever-free, the all seeing 'I', the witness of all, Sakshi.  Disclaimer: Please do not listen to this mediation while driving or operating machinery.    

Mantra 5 establishes the need for meditation and talks about the basic preliminaries. Mantra 6 & 7 are meditative and contemplative verses which simultanously are teachings as well. This episode points out the three different types of adhikari-s, the two types of pratibandhika-s, inhibitive factors in the way of knowledge, the three process of knowing- sravanam, mananam and nididhyasanam and furth...

This episode explains why both the aspects of Brahman - the intrinsic and the incidental, are to be contemplated upon as the truth of oneself. Find out as to why the highest form of devotion is in fact Self-knowledge and what it mean to 'attain' this knowledge.

In verses 6 & 7, the Upanisad tells us to meditate upon Brahman in the form of Uma and Siva in order to forge a relationship with the forms first so that one understands what they represent cognitively- the all pervasive, changeless, limitless and formless consciousness that sustains all form.

All actions are performed solely for the enjoyment of the results of action. How then does one desirous of freedom perform actions in the daily life? What is Karma Yoga? Why is it important to cultivate an attitude of a karma yogi and how does it help one prepare for the knowledge of the Self? Listen to find out!

This episode describes the four stages of āśramas; Brahmacharya (student), Gṛhastha (householder), Vanaprastha (forest dweller), and Saṅyāsa (renunciate). It also elucidates the difference between and the reason for meditating upon Saguna Brahman (with form) and contemplating on Nirguṇa Brahman (without form).

Concluding the sanyāsa mantra, we move on to verse 5, 6 & 7 which talks about meditation. This Upanishad is unique in that sense, it teaches meditation before the knowledge. This episode includes a 20 minute guided meditation.

What is the connection between renunciation and immortality? Who is a sanyāsi? What is the proper effort required and what do they gain by renunciation? This episode elucidates further on the the Sanyāsa Mantra.

This episode expounds on the famous Sanyāsa Mantra. Tyāga, renunciation is added to the previous three qualifications of shraddhā, Bhakti and Dhyanām, required for this knowledge.

This episode is an extract of a conversation between Swamini Svatmavidyananda and Yogacharya O’Brian from the Yoga Hour Podcast. The meaning of Śiva, śivaliṅgam, and Shakti along with the significance of Mahāśivarātri is explained beautifully here.

After hearing Asvalayana's erudition and heartfelt request, Lord Brahmaji expresses three must have qualifications required for this knowledge. They are shraddhā (trust in the Shastra & Guru), Bhakti (devotion) and Dhyanām (meditation). So, what does it mean to have shraddhā, Bhakti and what is Dhyanām? Listen to find out!

Understanding the masculine and feminine principle in the Hindu mythology is paramount to understanding creation and thereby understanding ourselves.  This short talk by Swamini Svatmavidyananda-ji is from the Bioneers Radio Series podcast aired in 2015.

In this beautiful verse, Sage Asvalayana approaching the teacher Brahmaji, asks for the most exalted knowledge. This episode explains what Maya is and additionally explains the law of karma and falsifies the wrong theory that one has to exhaust all vasanas (latent tendencies) before one gains moksha. Listen to understand this in detail. 

Why is the knowledge of Self the most exalted? What is grace and how does it operate?  Listen and Learn!  

The churning of the ocean is a story in the hindu mythology which is recognized for its highly allegorical spiritual significance. It is a story where the Devas, the divine celestial beings, unite with the Ausras, not so divine beings, in order to churn the ocean (mind) so as to obtain Amrit, the elixir of immortality (moksha). Not only is this story visually captivating, listening to it helps one...