Bhagavad Geeta - Chinmaya Mission

Kathopanishad shares how the wise person is able to rise above the joys and sorrows of life by realising that Consciousness, which is within their own heart. The spiritual aspirant can come to gain an intimate subjective experience of that pure Consciousness through meditation. Withdraw the mind's attention from the objects of the outside world and instead absorb it in the thoughts of the Self. Yo...

Despite seeing the greatness of spiritual knowledge and wanting it, we find that we are unable to gain it because there are still worldly desires that linger in us. Swami Tejomayananda comforts us to not be disheartened! Through objective introspection, each individual can come to know that which is blocking the flow of Knowledge in you. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ChinmayaChannel/

The Knowledge of the Self is a wonder on its own; from its nature to how the Guru communicates it to the disciple. Only a Guru who knows the Truth can make us understand something that is beyond the faculty of our understanding and perception. Rare indeed are also the students who come to understand and experience the subtle ideas in their true essence. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ChinmayaC...

At each moment, man has the freedom to either follow the path of Shreyas; wherein lies our absolute good as it frees us from bondage permanently or the path of Preyas; wherein we gain only temporary gratification of the senses and material prosperity. Swami Tejomayananda reminds us to use right thinking and pick our paths accordingly. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ChinmayaChannel/

In the concluding verse of the first section of Kathopanishad, Swami Tejomayananda encourages us to have Nachiketa as our benchmark - to imbibe his ability to objectively introspect, the extreme clarity of a goal and the courage to pursue it. By putting in the self-effort and invoking the grace of the Lord and Guru, we too can gain the qualifications that will enable us to attain the highest Self...

Having failed at his initial attempts to dissuade Nachiketa, Lord Death now presents Nachiketa with an endless array of temptations including power, wealth, progeny, long life and the ability to enjoy all possible desires. Nachiketa remains unmoved, knowing that the nature of all objects and pleasures is temporary. Thus, he becomes even more determined to seek the third boon from Lord Death. YouTu...

Swami Tejomayananda expounds on the next few verses of the Kathopanishad where Lord Death tests the calibre of Nachiketa to determine if he is fit to receive the Knowledge. Despite the attempts by Lord Death to dissuade Nachiketa from seeking the Knowledge, Nachiketa remains relentlessly firm in his resolve. He knows that only with the grace of the Guru, is it possible to gain the Knowledge of the...

After deep introspection, Nachiketa has come to know that the transcendental question of “Is there an existence after death?”, is not one that can be grasped by the mind or the intellect. Nachiketa therefore poses the question to the Lord of Death as only a Master who has realised the Truth, is able to reveal that Truth, which cannot be otherwise known by direct perception or inference. YouTube: h...

Nachiketa uses his second boon for the benefit of the society, asking the Lord of Death to reveal the secret knowledge by which a mortal in the world can come to gain the pleasures of heaven. Pleased with Nachiketa’s intelligence, sincerity and devotion, Lord Yama heaps blessings upon him and beseeches him to ask for his third boon. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ChinmayaChannel/

Having unintentionally kept Nachiketa waiting for three days without due hospitality, the Lord of Death apologises by offering Nachiketa three boons. Listen to find out what three boons the little boy decides to ask from the Lord of Death; which then sets the background for Kathopanishad. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ChinmayaChannel/

After his father bursts out, ‘Unto Death do I give thee’, Nachiketa introspects that the words of his father (and Guru) cannot be futile. He becomes curious about the great work that Yama (the Lord of Death) seeks to accomplish for which he has been sent by his father. Swami Tejomayananda extols the qualities of the ideal student, Nachiketa who follows the path of righteousness uncompromisingly. Y...

Kathopanishad begins as the young Nachiketa questions the actions of his father, who is involved in a great sacrifice. Nachiketa taps into the two most important qualities of a student; Shraddha (faith) and Viveka (right thinking) to probe into the deeper significance of the sacrifice and the dissonance that he observes with his father’s actions. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ChinmayaChannel/

What exists after death? Is there a Truth after that? Join Swami Tejomayananda as he takes us through the dialogue between the Lord of Death and Nachiketa. In this episode, he offers an introduction of the knowledge covered in the Kathopanishad; beginning with a detailed explanation of the invocatory prayer recited by the teacher and the student as they begin this journey. YouTube: https://www.you...

In the concluding verse of Bhaja Govindam, Swami Swaroopananda shares how we can gain the Supreme Lord by having faith in the words of the Teacher and being devoted to the Knowledge shared. Introspect daily. Live It and come to discover you are Eternal Bliss, unaffected by any challenge. This liberation is not in some distant time and in some distant place, it is here and now.

Most of our life’s energies are wasted in extrovertedness. Bhaja Govindam offers the inner practices that can help us to quieten the mind. With a purified mind and contemplative intellect, one is able to meditate on that which is changless in the midst of all change. The teacher cautions that there is no hurry in this path. Follow the instructions given with dedication but don't be impatient for t...

Our attachment to pleasure and greed for wealth are two obsessions that take us away from our pursuit of the Higher. Adi Shankaracharya warns us to not let our life be wasted in the amassing and hoarding of wealth. Scientifically observe around you, the fears and anxieties created by wealth. Be a Trustee of wealth; making good use of it but refusing to be possessed by it.

Swami Swaroopananda reiterates again the need to make the daily checklist of spiritual practices a part of our life. Start today! He then proceeds to the concluding verses of Bhaja Govindam which warn us not to lose our alertness and get carried away by mere sense pleasures. Our conviction for inner transformation must be strong, based on reflection and self inquiry.

If we quietened our mind, we would be able to hear the eternal message from the universe resonating as Soham - There is only One and That I am. Anxious to impress the urgency of not letting a single moment be wasted away in the agitations and clamours of the mind, Bhaja Govindam directs every seeker to incorporate five key spiritual practices in their daily lives. Listen and make these part of you...

In love, there is a natural acceptance. Swami Swaroopananda reminds us to see the One Truth in everyone. Wherever the differences arise, we need to shift our attention to that Oneness, for all are manifestations of that Reality alone. Don't even waste a fraction of second on desire, anger, greed and delusion; the toxins that take us away from experiencing our true blissful Self.

Our mind fuelled by likes and dislikes continues to create distinctions and differences. We judge some as friends and others as foes. Bhaja Govindam instructs us to seek that One Infinite Truth and Reality, beyond the names and the forms. Come to experience that in you and in me, is the same Truth, the One Consciousness that pervades the entire universe.

Exhausted by the vicious cycle of life and death; always seeking desires and pleasures from the world and yet never finding that permanent happiness, the seeker in despair turns to the Lord. In that complete surrender of the ego, one comes to realise the Infinite Self. Swami Swaroopananda implores us to seek that Lord. With Sincerity. Here and Now.

Death for the body is certain. It teaches us to enquire into how many of our actions are temporary resulting in only temporary results. Swami Swaroopananda shares the secrets by which we can no longer fear death, including the study of the Bhagavad Gita. The Gita teaches us about ourselves, our immortal nature by which we can free ourselves from our limiting beliefs and ego.

Bhaja Govindam sings the praise of the Man of Perfection, who free from all desires and cravings from the world, revels in the bliss of one’s own Self. Such a person whether in meditation or in the midst of pleasures, in a crowd or in solitude, is ever basking in the realisation - I am that Bliss, unconditioned by the circumstances of life.

Everyone is seeking happiness and yet no one seems to attain permanent everlasting happiness. Swami Swaroopananda diagnoses the problem to identify that our minds are constantly restless in the false expectations of happiness from objects, beings and situations. Breaking free from these dependencies, we can come to enjoy the effortless peace and happiness. That is our true nature.

Are you busying yourself with spiritual practices? Whilst these are essential on the path, Bhaja Govindam warns us not to get stuck in the means but to start with the Why? Ignorance of who we really are, creates our sense of finitude and results in our disappointments and sorrows. This ignorance can be removed only with Knowledge. Without this Knowledge, one cannot attain liberation even with life...