Arsha Vijnana Gurukulam

The  four-fold qualification of viveka (discernment), vairāgya (dispassion), śamādiṣaṭkasampatti (mature and focused mind), and mumukṣutvam (desire for moksha), required in a student of Vedanta are explained in detail in this talk. 

With so many forms of mediations, one can get overwhelmed with the choices. This talk delineates and explains meditation according to Vedanta and how it differs to the Buddhist tradition. What is Vedantic meditation? How do I practice it? Listen to find out!

As Kaivalya Upaniṣad comes from the Atharva Veda, it begins with the invocatory verse from this Veda. Kevala means 'only', thus, having studied the Upaniṣad one 'gains the only thing' that is there to know, Brahman. This Upaniṣad opens with the exalted sage Ashvalayana meeting his teacher none other than Brahmaji, the creator of the universe.

What does it mean to be a sanyāsī, a renunciate? And what is the significance of the color orange? Listen to find out! 

The problem with the quest is not the desire itself but the identification of oneself as a permanently desiring person. The Upaniṣad reveals the truth of oneness which removes the desiring individual and as this Upaniṣad too will reveal this truth is many beautiful verses. 

An integral contribution of Sri Pujyaswami Dayananda Saraswati is the inner child work. All the painful and unresolved emotions make the inner child, it is present in each and every one of us. This is the reason we suffer immense conflict, a split within ourselves which causes a lot of grief and strife. Who is this inner child? Why it is there? Is it possible to integrate the inner child with the...

Today we begin a new text called Kaivalya Upaniṣad. Listen to this introduction to understand what the Vedas are and who does it really belong to? The infinite that you are seeking, revealed in the last portion of the Vedas is not something to seek at all because it is already you.  Moksha is nothing but the gain of happiness.

Conclusions such as one's life has no meaning or purpose is invalidated upon understanding that everything in this universe is infallible, including myself. The 3rd chapter of Bhagavad Gita is a blueprint on how to transcend and rise above one's problems. Swamini Svatmavidyanandaji, in this concluding talk gives us five precise pointers in order to embark upon this journey to be a srestha, leader.

In selecting Lord Krishna as the charioteer, Arjuna had with him the hidden variable in the form of Bhagavan at all times. What is this hidden variable? What are the laws of karma? What is the connection between karma, actions and karma Phala, results of actions? Listen to this very insightful talk that sifts through one's habitual tendencies with immense clarity and examines one's need for a Sres...

As we come to the last episode of this powerful prayer, we end by learning the meaning of the famous Mrityunjaya Mantra, traditionally chanted in the end of Rudram along with other mantras. While it is a healing mantra for the removal of diseases, it is also a mantra for the jignasus, one desirous of knowledge. It is a final prayer to take one from mortality to immortality and for being redeemed f...

The official last mantra of Sri Rudram shows a direct link between surrender and the disarming of the inamicable forces, one's own karma. Giving to Bhagavan whatever does not belong, the sadhaka has evolved spiritually and has gone from being fearful to prayerful. The sarvatmabhava prevails, and one is ready for the knowledge which is the prasada of Sri Rudram.    

11th Anuvaka is the grand finale of the fruit of learning. Rudra has become many, this is brilliant because it is the only way to comprehend this Jagat. To understand and assimilate this Anuvaka we have to discuss this 'one' and 'many' Rudra from various standpoints. Anuvaka 11 bridges the divide between Jnana (knowledge) and Bhakti (devotion), both are needed and no where do we find such a concer...

A Jiva's search for a perfect person to rely on becomes an endless pursuit of disappointments. One comes out of this cycle when the knowledge dawns that I, the seeker is indeed the the sought. With careful examination and nuanced reasoning one understands that really speaking this Srestha, the perfect leader, I look for is none other than bhagavan.

One is transformed when Rudra is seen as the auspicious one. All previous karmas that stand in the way of moksha go away. One is protected with self knowledge. In these verses, Siva (knowledge) along with Parvati (Shakti, the creative power) are invoked as non separate from each other.

In the previous talk, we saw that the crisis of leadership is at once universal and deeply personal. In this talk, we examine the effect of this crisis which keeps us embroiled in a never ending cycle of going from hope to disappointment time and again. The vision of Vedanta is beautifully elucidated here, showing us the connection of our need to be saved and self-ignorance, bringing to us the mes...

These matras continue on the theme of karma-phala. We pray to Rudra to help us transcend our karmas, to drop the doer-ship and gain self knowledge. As the understanding matures, everything is seen as Bhagawan and one sees his glory everywhere.

 A desire to have someone to look up to is a very prominent and universal desire. This talk defines what a leader is and gives us 16 qualities in a leader, a śreṣṭha, one that everyone in the world admires and aspires to be. The verse we examine in this talk from the 3rd chapter of Bhagavad Gita is a revolutionary entry point to examining this leadership crisis and has far reaching implications wh...

There seems to be a crisis of leadership globally, nationally, collectively and personally. For this reason, the topic on leadership is extremely pertinent. What is a leadership crisis? What is the resolution to this crisis and how do we go about healing from this crisis? In the ancient Hindu text of Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna faces a similar crisis of agency and leadership at the helm of an ensuing ba...

Explaining beautifully the concept of Jiva, Jagat and Isvara, this talk culminates in a grand finale, where all three are seen to be non separate from each other, all is understood to be one. This talk reminds us that the cause of fear and sorrow is nothing other than duality. When one understands and sees the oneness, fear and sorrow is no longer there. Hidden in all things is the all pervasive,...

Twilight is a time of possibilities, where one learns to relax into Isvara, and let go of stress. Disclaimer: Please do not listen to this mediation while driving or operating machinery.    

10th anuvaka comes a full circle. It is a collective prayer. The meaning is unfolded from a place of non-seperateness. These mantras give peace of mind, release from terrible papas and success in all endevarours.

The only way to get darshan of Bhagavan is to know him as yourself. All feelings of infinitude, pain, insecurity, self criticism has to be resolved through the study of Vedanta and here in the form of Sri Rudram, it is the best way to resolve it. As one moves on, an understanding dawns that without Bhakti there is no mukti. Everything is directed to the alter of Surrender. Mantra 3 and 4 of the 10...

Bringing Bhagavad Gita to our daily lives, this talk examines the fallacy in Arjuna's reluctance to fight. The importance of both karma yoga and Jnana Yoga and its synergetic relavance is talked about. What is surrender and what is acceptance? How does one practice it? Listen to find out!

The only thing to do when one is helpless is to pray. One lets go and makes time for an appointment with oneself, an appointment with Isvara. Disclaimer: Please do not listen to this mediation while driving or operating machinery.

Acknowledging that one is subject to anger, one prays for wisdom in dealing with it so as to gain the understanding and clarity and learn how to manage anger, seeing it is as a manifestation of Isvara. Disclaimer: Please do not listen to this mediation while driving or operating machinery.