Vedanta - The River of Wisdom

Every year, practising Hindus undertake a pilgrimage to sacred sites, temples, rivers, mountains, lakes and places considered energetically more potent with the presence of devatas and Rishis and hence their blessings. A tirthayatra (pilgrimage) is different from a vacation in which we expect and seek comfort and convenience. What are the reasons we undertake a tirthayatra and how might we go abou...

The word 'Rama' was there long before Bhagavan Rama appeared on this earth as an Avataara. How did even the name, nama inspire and transform Rishi Valmiki, Swami Samarth Ramadas and other saints? The podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/262-the-transformative-power-of-the-sacred-word-rama/ Our monthly newsletter - Aarsha Vidya Bharati - Jan 2024| Vedanta Camp| Svadharma Course| Ve...

All of us struggle with sustaining our motivation levels in eating healthy, exercising regularly, meditating daily, contacting friends, learning a skill, doing japa or regularly attending Vedanta class. What are the internal and or external factors that motivate us? How can we do what really matters to us? Dharmo rakshati rakshitah. Dharma protects the one who protects it. The podcast transcript -...

As we approach the re-opening of the grand Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, inviting Bhagavan Sri Rama to always be with us, we also invite Sri Rama into our hearts. It was written by Goswami Tulsidas ji sometime in the 16th century as a part of Vinay Patrika. We listen to this beautiful bhajan sung by our beloved Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati ji and dwell on the meaning of its verses, leading to much del...

When Sri Rama was exhausted and worried on the battlefield just before his encounter with Ravana, Rishi Agastya appears and teaches him this powerful and sacred worship to Aditya, the presiding deity of the Sun. And the rest as they say is history or Itihaasa. We too can gain victory in our pursuits by learning and chanting this brilliant Aditya Hridayam Stotram. The podcast transcript - https://d...

In any given situation, atleast two forces seem to be opposed to each other. Discipline - Laziness, Composure-Stress, Optimism-Pessimism. Bhagavan Krishna says that to be a master we need to direct the dialogue and ally with Dharma. How? The podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/259-how-to-resolve-our-internal-conflicts-a-friendly-teaching-from-the-bhagavad-gita/ New course on Svadharma st...

Shri Dattatreya is one of the most revered sages who incarnated on earth. And he gave teachings which are in the form of Tripura Rahasya. In the Jnana Khanda which is a section on wisdom, the commentator narrates a story of the Jivatma, its sense of bondage and liberation. It is Sri Dattatreya Jayanti on 26th December 2023 and we hear his teaching today. Avadhuta Gita - https://podcasters.spotify....

This year was a happy year! We did a lot of karma. We upheld Dharma by practising universal values. Dharma made us happy. Do you know which values mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita, you effortlessly embodied? The podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/257-your-tree-of-karma-how-did-it-grow-this-year/ Our December 2023 newsletter of Aarsha Vidya Bharati - Looking back l Gita Jayanti l Vishnu Kr...

All of us have used Vedanta to avoid or bypass uncomfortable emotions or the challenges of daily living, at some time of the other. If allowed to continue, spiritual bypassing prevents us from enjoying the fruits of this knowledge. And so we look at ourselves clearly and gain the right perspective to our emotions in the light of Vedanta. The podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/category/p...

Here is a lovely story from Sri Swami Rama Tirtha, a teacher of Vedanta who lived before Swami Vivekananda. Guess what the person finds when he looks for God? The podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/255-the-one-who-looked-for-god-story/ Our December 2023 newsletter of Aarsha Vidya Bharati - Looking back l Gita Jayanti l Vishnu Krpa l VWF l The Lie of Objectivity l Vedanta camp l Narmada...

Lord Shiva appears fierce and fearful especially to the ego who is challenged by fear and suffering. Then, how can we become fearless and gain punya for all our pursuits? By relating to the fierce form of Shiva, Kalabhairava. Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya composed Kalabhairava Ashtakam, a set of 8 powerful verses which if chanted at least on an Ashtami (8th day of the full or new moon) will bless t...

As a Vedanta student, everyone toys with the idea of sannyasa, either out of frustration or a fantasy. In the Advaita Vedanta tradition, we understand sannyasa both as a lifestyle and knowledge. Sannyasa as knowledge is non-negotiable but sannyasa as a life style is optional. What does this mean? How do I calibrate my life in the light of this understanding? The podcast transcript - https://discov...

We often feel disconnected and isolated. It seems like we are 'living our mind' and not living life. Yet we are connected all the time. Here are 40 everyday moments of connectedness with our people and our world.   What might you want to add to the list? The podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/252-40-everyday-moments-of-connectedness-with-our-world/ To register for our Vedic Wisd...

Sri Venkatesha Suprabhatam is a prayer to Lord Venkatesha (an avataara of Vishnu) to arise, protect and bless the world. We understand the meaning of the 29 verses which paint a vivid picture of the smallest beings like the bees to all the devatas welcoming the auspicious presence of Venkatesha at dawn.    Many of us have grown up listening to the spiritually uplifting rendition by MS Subbulakshmi...

'If only' and 'But' - two small words. We understand the big impact these words have on how we think, behave and delay our happiness. If we yearn for happiness, why would we postpone it. And yet we do! We recognise our eight patterns and break free from them. We can be happy. Here and Now. The podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/250-how-and-why-we-postpone-our-happiness-a...

Blessings come in many forms. We seek them. We revel in them and we want more. What are the many forms of blessings and how do we view a blessing? Insights from Vedanta will forever change your perspective. The podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/249-the-way-we-view-our-blessings-changes-us/ Our October 2023 newsletter - Aarsha Vidya Bharati - Oneness with the Universe l Vedic Wisdom Fes...

How sweet it is to surrender to Devi! We understand the simple meaning of the verses composed by Jagatguru Adi Shankaracharya. Podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/category/podcast/ Our October 2023 newsletter - Aarsha Vidya Bharati - Oneness with the Universe l Vedic Wisdom Festival 2023 dates l Saundarya Lahiri Navaratri sadhana announcement l Seven stages of knowing God l Trigunas as a...

We believe that different people in our lives 'cause' our emotions. And so in the Court of Emotions, 7 accused are summoned - Partner, Parents, Work colleagues, Children, Friends, Planets and finally Bhagavan. We hear their defense and also the final verdict! Podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/category/podcast/ Our October 2023 newsletter - Aarsha Vidya Bharati - Oneness with th...

In the Vedic Vision, the body-mind are mere instruments to fulfill the purpose of life. Depending on how one has lived, either 1. The jiva is reborn 2. The jiva goes to svarga or naraka 3. The jiva is in limbo, lingering as a ghost 4. The jiva is jeevanmuktah, free while living. We understand all these four possibilities and rethink our choices about life. The podcast transcript - https://discover...

From the standpoint of forms we are different. Differences make us uncomfortable. We can make or break relationships depending on how we handle our differences. We seek refuge in Dharma that is Sanatana irrespective of different spiritual paths. How? The podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/245-what-if-i-am-spiritual-and-my-partner-or-family-is-not/ Our September newsletter - The power of...

An easy to chant set of 8 devotional verses to Bhagavan Ganesha, we see its meaning and feel his power flowing into all areas of our life. ll Om Shree Ganeshaaya Namah ll The podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/244-the-powerful-blessing-and-meaning-of-sri-sankatanaashana-ganesha-stotram/ For those who want to go deeper into their understanding of Ganapati, it would be great to listen to...

If a marriage is just for the sake of wealth, pleasure, love or even children, all of which are conditional, it is difficult to sustain it. Sharing bits of her conversation with K, a young woman in her twenties who is not clear about the purpose of marriage, Swamini B speaks to marriage not only being a major life goal but also a means to an end. What is that end goal and what are the many things...

The ego has a bad reputation. It is often blamed for not enough progress on the spiritual path. In the Vedic tradition, it is none other than the ahankara who undertakes an enquiry into itself, in the light of the Shaastra. Here is an illumining dialogue between the Atma and the Ego. The podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/242-is-ego-the-enemy/ Our September issue - The power of a Vedant...

If one feels stuck, it is possible that the mind is either 1. Bored or 2. Going through a hibernation like lull or 3. Distracted or 4. Not clear about the pursuit We address each of these four obstacles on the path of Vedanta. To read the podcast transcript/ article- https://discoveratma.com/241-am-i-progressing-or-stagnating-on-the-spiritual-path/ Our August issue - You were always free l The sac...

In recent times a divide has creeped up between bhakti and knowledge and many (wrongly) believe that the twain do not meet. The truth is, You can have bhakti only if you know Bhagavan. If you know Bhagavan you cannot help but have bhakti. We explore the role of bhakti sadhana and bhakti darshana, the vision of bhakti systems and where these walk hand-in-hand with Advaita Vedanta. For the transcrip...