Bhagavad Geeta - Chinmaya Mission

Continuing these important verses of the Geeta, Krishna reiterates to Arjuna that there is no need to grieve. Birth and death is inevitable to the body but O Arjuna, realise that the relatives you grieve for are not the body but the eternal, unchangeable, imperishable Atma (Self). The entire Geeta Marathon by Swami Swaroopananda can be caught at https://clix.chinmayamission.com/product/geeta-marat...

In this very important verse from the Bhagavad Geeta, Krishna shares a powerful analogy of how the jiva (soul) casts off the body and takes a new one just like how one would shed off old garments and wear new ones. Swamiji delves into the law of action and reaction as he sheds more light into this nuanced topic. The entire Geeta Marathon by Swami Swaroopananda can be caught at https://clix.chinmay...

We live in the delusion that we are this body. Swami Swaroopananda guides us to recognise the perishable and changing nature of this body. He urges us to instead identify with the Atma - the Self; that is unborn, undying and cannot be destroyed by anyone or anything. The entire Geeta Marathon by Swami Swaroopananda can be caught at https://clix.chinmayamission.com/product/geeta-marathon/

Krishna shares pivotal verses that will support a spiritual seeker in their meditation. He reiterates the nature of one’s Self as that which is changeless and the eternal Truth that pervades everything. Krishna urges Arjuna to get up and recognise that which is imperishable. The entire Geeta Marathon by Swami Swaroopananda can be caught at https://clix.chinmayamission.com/product/geeta-marathon/

Krishna continues to help Arjuna cultivate a higher viewpoint from which he can see how small his problems truly are, giving him the strength and wisdom to be able to solve them, rather than run away. Swamiji breaks down Krishna’s words about this new vision and guides us on how we can cultivate it ourselves. The entire Geeta Marathon by Swami Swaroopananda can be caught at https://clix.chinmayami...

All our experiences, happy or sad, have a beginning and an end. But the more we complain about what we cannot change, the more the sorrow and pain magnify! When the mind is disturbed by sorrow, we brood over the change and become more easily influenced by future fluctuations. In forbearing the changes in the world outside, we can gradually come to identify with the changeless within us. The entire...

We experience the world around us as pairs of opposites, giving us joy or sorrow, based on our likes and dislikes. When our sense organs come into contact with the sense objects, then only do we experience these dualities, just as when we touch electricity, we get the shock! In this episode, Swamiji teaches us the secret to overcoming these ‘shocks’ around us! The entire Geeta Marathon by Swami Sw...

To comfort Arjuna’s grief, Krishna reveals the truth of how there never was a time when any of us did not exist. The ‘I’ Krishna speaks of is the Self of everybody, not the individual ego-centric identity we associate with. Understanding the permanence of the one true Self is a hallmark of the wise student of the Bhagavad Geeta! The entire Geeta Marathon by Swami Swaroopananda can be caught at htt...

The cause of our sorrow is our false expectations born of misunderstanding one thing to be something else. Identifying with the individual ego, we grieve for the natural phenomenon of death, and lose sight of our Dharma. Knowledge of what Dharma is lifts us out of sorrow, and here Krishna, the Jagad-Guru, establishes Dharma by taking Arjuna as His disciple. The entire Geeta Marathon by Swami Swaro...

Through his signature storytelling, Swamiji illustrates the paths of Shreyas and Preyas - goodness and pleasure. Arjuna’s humility helps him open up to Krishna’s guidance, demonstrating an ideal disciple’s character and surrender. Krishna begins His song with a gentle scolding of Arjuna’s misery and Swamiji gives us a short, but powerful lesson from Krishna’s first words of the Geeta. The entire G...

Swamiji explains that the notions of “I” and “mine” arise when we don’t know who we truly are, leading us to misidentify our swadharma. Arjuna's response to Krishna reveals this, when he seeks to abandon his duty as a warrior to live a renunciate’s life to avoid the war. Arjuna’s outburst peaks when he surrenders to Krishna and enquires into what will lead him to the greatest good. The entire Geet...

Grief like Arjuna’s leads one to enquire into what is the cause of one’s sorrow. How can we find permanent solutions to our problems and gain shreyas - the supreme good? Swami Swaaroopananda explains how Krishna begins by calling out Arjuna’s despondency as ignoble and un-Aryan, in an attempt to prod at his pride and shake him out of self-pity. The entire Geeta Marathon by Swami Swaroopananda can...

As we do our Japa of the Gāyatrī Mantra, the mind quietens.  We must deepen our Sādhana by contemplating that Truth which the Mantra is indicating. In this concluding episode, Swamiji explains how the Mantra reveals to us our true nature, that of Existence (Sat), Consciousness (Cit) and Bliss (Ānanda)!

The 3 vyāhrtis Bhūh, Bhuvaḥ and Svaḥ, prefix the Gāyatrī Mantra, which Ādi Śaṅkararacharya tells us indicate the nature of the Truth. Oṃ, with which the Mantra begins, is the subtlest of all symbols for, and is the closest indicator of that same Truth. Swamiji gives us further insight into Oṃ, distilled from the vast knowledge of the Upaniṣads.

In this episode, we hear from Swami Swaroopananda about Ādi Śaṅkararacharya’s commentary on the Gāyatrī Mantra, which tells us that the Gāyatrī Mantra reveals the truth about the relationship between the Jivatma and Paramatma. Swamiji breaks down the meaning of each word of the Mantra, taking us deeper in contemplation on the divine Gāyatrī Mantra!

The vibrations of the Gāyatrī Mantra create the right mental atmosphere so we can gain the right knowledge to overcome our limitations. Swamiji explains how understanding the Mantra can lead us to know the Truth of our eternal nature.

The Gāyatrī Mantra illustrates the brilliant values and qualities the Sun embodies, and gives an ideal to aspire to. Swamiji shines a light on how regular Japa (chanting) of the Gāyatrī Mantra leads us to develop a calm, concentrated, devoted mind, in which all noble values can be cultivated. As our practice of Gāyatrī Japa deepens, our intelligence gains clarity and our knowledge deepens.

Swami Swaroopananda goes further into the profound significance of the Upanayana Samskara and the inspiration it provides us with. Swamiji gives us a brief definition of the Gāyatrī Mantra and the inner significance of a Vedic tale told at the time of the receiving the Gāyatrī Mantra - blending tradition with science in his characteristic storytelling style!

Intelligence is not purely genetic, it is something that can be invoked and cultivated. Swami Swaroopananada talks about the tradition of the Upanayana Samskara, its significance and how the initiation into the Gayatri Mantra was given in childhood. This tradition facilitated the development of the intellect and prepared students for the highest knowledge - something we can still aspire to today!

Dive deeper into the science of the Gayatri Mantra is to understand how by chanting this Mantra properly, our mental impurities are removed and our mind can be attuned to the vibrations of eternal knowledge and power in the universe. Swamiji explains how the Gāyatrī Mantra reveals to us Dharma, the means to reach the Ultimate Goal, the Infinite, Eternal Bliss!

When faced with the challenges thrown at us by the world, our minds can be our greatest asset or a cause of sorrow. To help strengthen and purify the mind, the ancient Rishis (seers) gave us the Gāyatrī Mantra, found in the Vedas. Swami Swaroopananda gives us the background into the origins and deep significance of this popular mantra. Swamiji clearly articulates how we can use it to tune the mind...

Arjuna continues to justify his pacifism, telling Krishna that by killing a whole generation of men, the Vedic culture would be lost for future generations to follow. He even goes on to say he would rather the Kauravas kill him unarmed! Swami Swaroopananda talks about how Arjuna’s words have become today’s reality and reminds us to rise and take back our cultural heritage and pride. The entire Gee...

The family unit ensured that family traditions were passed down through the generations. As time goes by, we see this unit gradually decline, leading to great loss in cultural values. Drawing on real life situations, ranging from the collapse of the traditional joint family, to intercultural marriages, Swamiji shows us how the Geeta can help reconcile today’s generation gap. The entire Geeta Marat...

When we want to escape a situation we have to justify our own minds/our desires, to make it seem like we are much greater than we actually are. Arjuna’s first argument against fighting is the breakdown of the family unit. Using modern society’s example, Swami Swaroopananda shows us how this argument has manifested itself today in the form of failing welfare systems and national debts! The entire G...

Arjuna’s identification with the Kauravas as his family blinds him from seeing that his real duty lies in ensuring Dharma is upheld no matter what. He misquotes the scriptures to try and justify his misplaced compassion. Swamiji reminds us that punishment is for correction, not revenge, and knowing our duties clearly prevents us from getting carried away by our attachments. The entire Geeta Marath...