Vedanta: Ancient Wisdom for Life

The last episode in this series covers Verses 9 to 12 of Chapter 13 of the Bhagavad Gita. It expounds further qualities exhibited by a person with true knowledge. These include not being victimised by sense-objects, harbouring pure emotions, being self-sufficient, having a clear perception of life and pursuing evolution with consistency and dedication.

In this episode Swamiji explains Verse 8 of Chapter 13 of the Bhagavad Gita. The verse presents a staggering definition of what constitutes true knowledge. It is not erudition or scholarship but a life demonstrating qualities such as humility, unpretentiousness, harmless and forgiveness.

This opening episode sets the context for the twenty qualities of a jñānī - a person endowed with true knowledge from Chapter 13 of the Bhagavad Gita. Swami A. Parthasarathy explains why human beings need to imbibe such qualities to be able to live a peaceful and productive life.

The last episode in this series covers Verses 18 to 20 of Chapter 12 of the Bhagavad Gita. The verses conclude Lord Krishna’s portrait of the ideal devotee with qualities such as equanimity in praise and censure, silence, contentment, and unwavering inner faith (śraddhā). Swamiji encourages us to begin wherever we are—even cultivating one of these traits with sincerity can lead to inner growth.

Continuing from the previous episode, verse 15 of Chapter 12 introduces three more qualities: not agitating the world, not being agitated by the world, and remaining free from envy, fear, and anxiety. Thereafter Verses 16 and 17 explore eleven additional traits of a devotee, including physical and mental purity, detachment and freedom from emotional highs and lows.

The third episode in this series explains Verses 14 and 15 of Chapter 12 of the Bhagavad Gita. The verses introduce another eight qualities of devotion—ranging from perfect contentment and self-control to inner conviction and emotional steadiness.

The episode expounds the first seven qualities of a devotee—beginning with no hatred towards any being, compassion, egolessness and inner balance. Swami A.Parthasarathy invites us to consider what true devotion means—not as ritual or belief, but the feeling with which we relate to every being.

This series is based on Chapter 12 of the Bhagavad Gita wherein Lord Krisha expounds 35 qualities of true devotee of God. Devotion is not blind faith, routine prayer or mechanical ritual. True devotion unfolds these great qualities in a seeker. It also envisages a conscious effort to instill these values in one's life. In the first episode Swami A. Parthasarathy defines devotion and explains the r...

In the last episode of this series Swamiji explains verses 71 and 72 of Chapter II of the Bhagavad Gita. The verses summarise the definition of human perfection, the state of spiritual englightenment. A state of absolute and everlasting fulfilment.

Episode 12 of 'The Perfect Human Being' series expounds verses 69 and 70 of Chapter II of the Bhagavad Gita. The verses highlight the staggering difference between the limited and restricted life of ordinary beings vis-a-vis the absolute liberation and bliss of an englightened soul.

In this episode, Swamiji presents Krishna's logically derived conclusion in verse 68 of Chapter II of the Bhagavad Gita that spiritual wisdom is measured by one's mastery over and not denial of sense objects.

This episode is based on Verse 67 of Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita. The verse illustrates a striking metaphor to convey that in the absence of intellectual governance and direction, the mind is swept away by the senses and eventually destroys the individual.

Episode 9 of the series on 'The Perfect Human Being’ expounds verse 66 of chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita. Swamiji helps one understand that unless one exercises self-control and pursues a higher ideal in life, one cannot find lasting peace and happiness.

In Episode 8 Swamiji highlights the dangers of allowing likes and dislikes to directly determine one’s actions in life. In a world of contradictions, chances are that what one likes to do is not beneficial for one in the long-term and vice-versa. To overcome this challenge, one needs to build a strong intellect.

In this episode, Swamiji defines and explains the mechanism of self-control as presented in verses 64 and 65 of Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita. By practicing self-control one cultivates a tranquil mind. Such a mind allows the intellect to establish itself resulting in a peaceful and productive life.

Episode 6 of the series presents two powerful verses from the Bhagavad Gita which expound the “Ladder of Fall”. The verses detail the devastating impact of ungoverned thoughts. How they go through negative modifications and eventually destroy the individual.

Based on verses 60 and 61 of Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita, this episode highlights the power of the senses and how they can be destructive to even those who are knowledgeable. Swamiji impresses upon the vital need to develop the intellect to be able to control the senses. A fundamental human requirement which is hardly known much less addressed in the world today. When one has achieved perfect c...

In this episode Swamiji reveals the Gita's secret to gaining mastery over sense objects. The Gita explains that by merely abstaining one cannot overcome one's desires for sense contact. Instead one must learn the art of dealing with sense objects culminating in complete suzerainty over them.

In this third episode of the series on 'The Perfect Human Being' from the Bhagavad Gita, Swamiji explains Lord Krishna's answers on how an Enlightened person conducts himself in the world and the impact of the world on him. Such a person bristles with dynamism and cheer but never gets attached to anything. He experiences the fluctuations of the world but never loses his mental equanimi...

In episode 2 of ‘The Perfect Human Being’ series from the Bhagavad Gita, the great warrior Arjuna asks Lord Kṛṣṇa to define the nature of an Enlightened person. How does such a person express himself in the world, what happens within him and how does he react to external environments and events. In response Lord Kṛṣṇa begins his famed definition of a perfect person. Swamiji's deft explanation...

This series is based on a portion of Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita wherein Lord Kṛṣṇa describes the nature and characteristics of an Enlightened soul, known as  Sthitaprajña  in Sanskrit. It is considered a masterpiece in scriptural literature. In this episode Swamiji explains the meaning of spiritual Enlightenment, the state of Self-Realisation.

The Bhagavad Gita expounds the three fundamental  yogas  spiritual disciplines of  karma  action,  bhakti devotion and  gnana  knowledge. These disciplines enable one to lead a productive and harmonious life whilst evolving spiritually. Yet tragically the Gita is considered a post retirement pastime. 

The two fundamental motivations that drive human action are acquisition and enjoyment. In this episode, Swamiji explains that while there is no taboo to acquisition, one’s present happiness should not be dependent on future acquisition. Also, to keep enjoyment alive in life one needs to moderate their contact.  

One of the fundamental teachings of the Gita is objectivity in action. Episode 2 of the four-part series on the ‘Message of the Gita’ defines objectivity. Objectivity enables one to face any challenge in life. Moreover, it is the essence of spiritual development.    

The Bhagavad Gita is an ancient Indian philosophical text that is considered a manual for living.  In this four-part podcast series, Swami A. Parthasarathy provides a few insights into the Gita’s fundamental teachings and their practical application in life. The first episode reveals the technique of combining dynamic action with mental peace.