Readings from "Eternal Values For a Changing Society by Swami Ranganathananda"

In Today’s episode we will discuss swami Ranganathananda’s thoughts on the synthesis of science and religion in education, and also get into how these two potent concepts measureup to magic and miracles ,which are globally recognized in many forms in many cultures.  The path to rationality is never without hypothesis and evidence and the Swami continues to enlighten us with both with this prolific...

In today’s episode we continue the discussion of Science andReligion, as Swami Ranganathananda talks about Dharma and Social Ethics and elucidates with so much depth on the Indian spiritual tradition.  In Today’s episode the Swami delves into thevery core of India that I remember learning in every social studies class as a child, India’s unity in diversity, and luminaries like Sri Jagadish Chandra...

In today’s episode we continue the discussion of Science and Religion, as Swami Ranganathananda talks about Dharma and Social Ethics and elucidates with so much depth on the Indian spiritual tradition.  He talks about para and apara vidya that we read about in earlier chapters of this book setting the stage more and more on the depth of scientific thought and inquiry from the times of Ancient Indi...

In today’s episode we continue the discussion of Science andReligion, as we get in to the kinship, as Swami Ranganathananda puts it between the spiritual ethos of anciet Vedanta and Modern Science.  In the context of this synthesis the Swamirefers to Srimad Bhagvata and the complentary nature of physical science and the science of religion and how the words of Sri Krishna Himself shed light on thi...

Today we will continue where we left off and read the Swami’s thoughts Evolution both organic and psycho social, and also the evolution of knowledge to Wisdom ! _________________________________ Music Information: Source:https://pixabay.com/music/meditationspiritual-relax-463106/ Artist: Dmitrii Spis (NastelBom) Title: Relax

In this episode we continue to read the Swami’s words on Science and Religion as he references the Upanishads and talksabout the spirit of critical inquiry in India. He then goes on to talk about some of the limitations of physical sciences through this lens of philosophy and spirituality. We will also read about the mysteries of the Universe and the Human being in the context of Physics and Biolo...

Today we will begin to read one of the most significant works of Swami Ranganathananda, one that finds immense resonance with the modern day. “Science and Religion” – two seemingly dichotomous concepts of thought that the Swami as woven together with such lucidity and wisdom. _____ Music Information: Source:https://pixabay.com/music/meditationspiritual-relax-463106/ Artist: Dmitrii Spis (NastelBom...

Today we will read a new chapterwhere Swami Ranganathananda talks about the path of devotion in Indian Spirituality. The Chapter is Titled Srimad Bhagvata on the Central Theme of the Bhakti Upasana. The Srimad Bhagavatam is the ripened fruit of Vedic wisdom — a poetic revelation of divine love, devotion, and the nature of the Self. It chronicles the incarnations of Lord Krishna and the conversatio...

As you are aware we are reading the chapter on the Spriritual Life of the Indian People in 3 parts. Today we conclude this chapter with a reading of the Swami’s analysis on Shiva, Budhha and a beautiful analogy of Shakti in the context of the kinship with the Japanese gods or Kami.  __________________________ Music Information: Source: https://pixabay.com/music/search/flute/ Artist: AlaminHossain1...

As you are aware we are reading the chapter on the Spiritual Life of the Indian People and we shall be reading it in 3 parts. In today’s episode we will pick up where we left off and read the Swami’s words on the Four Yogas , the pre-eminence of Bhakti or devotion, the evolution of the Santana Dharma , and the worship of Divine Incarnation . ______________ Music Information: Source: https://pixaba...

Today we will begin reading a new chapter and we will break this out into three episodes.  In this episode we will readthe Swami’s take on the spiritual aspirations and activities of the people of India. He begins with a discussion on the immensity and variety of India, talks about the scientific basis of Indian Spirituality, then goes in to Swami Vivekananda’s path breaking philosophy of the inna...

In this episode we will read another chapter that talksmore about Sri Krishna as the Swami emphasizes on the universality of Sri Krishna’s message and the relevance it holds in this day and age. This was a talk given over All India Radio on August 29th 1956 _____________ Music Information: Source: https://pixabay.com/music/search/flute/ Artist: AlaminHossain1989 Title: Relaxing Krishna Flute Music...

In this episode we will read a new chapter discussing one of the greatest of Avataras – Sri Krishna. The chapter is titled “The Personality of Sri Krishna” and the Swami traces this legendaryDivine life from boyhood to the majesty of a ruler. This was delivered as  talk over All India Radio in Delhi, in Marchof 1951. _____________ Music Information: Source: https://pixabay.com/music/search/flute/...

Today we read a new chapter titled “The Avatara as Divinity”  where Swami Ranganathananda explores the essence of the Avatara from a historic and spiritual lens and the impact of such “heroes” in our socio cultural traditions and ethos.  He elucidates effortlessly on this “ concentrated and intense life energy ” and its impact on humanity. ______________ Music Information: "Magic Garden"...

Today we will read a short but a very significant chapter titled “The Avatara as History Maker” where the Swami gets into a very unique and poignant perspective Indian spiritual traditions. In today’s parlance, the word avatar has a very comic of comedic but well meaning reference to a caricature of oneself on social media platforms and the like. This is the 21st century. In our 21st episode, we w...

In this episode we will conclude the chapter we began last time and read more on the Swami’s take on the nature of the Self of the Human being.  True to his vast encyclopedic knowledge,Swami Ranganathananda speaks of this Vedantic concept and and finds synchronicity with the works of HG Wells, GP Wells and Julian Huxley.  ______ Music Information Song of Peace - Composed by Martha Mier Performed b...

Today we start reading a new chapter that the Swami has titled “ The Central Theme of the Gita” where the Swami prefaces the core message of the Gita from the perspective of the Greatest Teacher – Sri Krishna and his role as the “parthasarathi” or the charioteer of Arjuna, but literally and figuratively in being the warrior prince’s friend philosopher and guide. _____ Music Information "Song...

Today as we conclude this chapter, we begin with the concepts of desire and desirelessness , and Swami Ranganathanandaji ties it all beautifully to Arjuna’s humility and submission to his divine friend, philosopher and guide, Sri Krishna. It may be of interest to know these lectures were delivered in Sind, which is currently in Pakistan, during the months of February and March in 1946, a year befo...

In this episode the Swami introduces the idea of Guru and Shishya that is of utmost significance in ancient Indian traditions, and exemplifies it so beautifully with Sri Krishnaand Arjuna in these two pivotal roles. ________________________ Music Information: Song: Awakening Composer: Steffen Daum Website: No URL available License: Creative Commons (BY 3.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3...

In today’s episode we will pick up where we left off and read Swami Ranganathanandaji’s take on the concepts of “ethicalsense” and how it is a by product of spiritual growth, and some of the deeper nuances in the Gita, that we can often miss. He talks about how Ethical sense and Spiritual Growth go hand in hand in the words of Sri Krishna to Arjuna and compels us to see the relevance of these univ...

In today’s episode Swami Rangananthanandaji beginswith the initial mental tonic that Sri Krishna offers to Arjuna as he urges him to rise and cast away his faint heartdedness. The Swami then elucidates how this tonic is not just for Arjuna alone but is a wake up call to all of us who are doused with lethargy in mind and body. He then goes on to talk about the innate divinity of the Human being tha...

In today’s episode the Swami writes with such eloquence on the significance of Sri Krishna in the context of Indian culture, and how his divine words are wellspring of great philosophies that define this great nation. Swami Ranganathandanda discusses some nuggets from the first chapter of the Gita and how it so much more than a religious text.  He talks both about the teacher Krishna and hisable d...

In today’s episode the Swami begins todiscuss the personality and permanence of Krishna in the spiritual context of India. But prior to that he talks about how the cornerstone ideas of every epoch in India translated into becoming a living and breathing philosophy because of the stalwarts who made this happen _______ Music Copyright Information: Song: Purpose Composer: Jonny Easton Website: https:...

In Today’s episode we begin  a new chapter titled “An Introduction to the Study of the Gita’. We will begin with reading a few pages from the first subsection in it called “ The Bhagvat Gita, a Universal Gospel” Swami Ranganathananda starts to delve deeper into the study of the Gita highlighting its universality and then goes on to discuss the nature of the dialog in this epic text and its synthes...

In Today’s episode Swami Ranganathananda introduces one of the most sacred of Hindu Texts .. the Gita. It is a fascinating chapter where the Swami talks about this magnificent pieceof poetry that defines Hinduism in the context of world religions as a treatise that belongs to the class of “literature immortal”.   Music Information: No Copyright Infringement. Track Title : Just Relax