Arsha Vijnana Gurukulam

Pañcadaśī is an extremely significant text composed in the 14th century by the revered scholar, Swami Vidyaranya.

Pañcadaśī consists of 15 chapters, divided into three quintets, the three aspects of Brahman as Sat-Chit-Ananda. Every chapter is a standalone and unique. This 4th chapter, expounds on the very important topic of 'Discrimination of Duality'.

Vedanta shows us how to deal with Jagat as nothing other than Bhagavan's sristi. Hence, cultivating Satva guna is advised since it is the weakest link to saṃsāra and can be broken more easily. This last episode, talks about Kshama (accommodation) and Dhriti (courage), two important tools to be bring more Satva into one's life. 

Examining the Gita verses, Swaminiji sheds light on the nature and subtleties of gunas. How do gunas bind one to a life of samsara? How do they express in the body-mind-sense complex? Moreover, why is a balanced lifestyle and diet emphasized for the one pursuing Self knowledge. 

Nothing in this universe is outside of the three Gunas of sattva, rajas and tamas. This episode forms a part of a series of talks by Swamini Svatmavidyanada as she expounds about the gunas being manifest in all bodies, and more importantly how understanding their characteristics helps or hinders one's spiritual pursuit. 

The last verse of this text says that, the person whose mind has become identified with the Self is not a mere knower of Brahman (brahmavit), but Brahman itself (brahmaiva). Thus, Adi Sankara resolves this situation with the Caṇḍāla with immense humility, which comes only with Self knowledge. 

This is a beautiful verse which talks about the truth of the vision. Time, space and object bound limitation are knocked off to show that all there is, is consciousness alone.

"Brahman is the gift of being present, unplagued by the past and future." How does karma operate for a Jñānī ? This episode explain the laws of karma and expounds on that which lends sentiency to the insentient.

This episode explains the meaning of brahmaivāham - 'I am that Brahman alone'. A mahāvākya in itself, verse 3, then goes on to elucidates how this knowledge of the Self is to be gained. 

Who is a Guru? Adi Sankara, in the very 1st verse of this text, talks about the qualifications of a Guru, thus, expounding beautifully on the truth of the Self.

The Caṇḍāla having been asked to move out of Adi Sankara's way, replies in two beautiful verses, thereby displaying his great erudition. As the story goes, Adi Sankara falls at his feet and thus begins the verses of Manisha Panchakam. 

Manisha Panchakam is a quintet of 5 verses on self knowledge, attributed to Adi Shankaracharya. It is a nididhyāsana grantha, a contemplative text which to helps one assimilate what has been studied thus far. 

 How to deal with negative emotions? what is the significance of the three states of waking, dreaming and sleeping? What is freewill?

In this episode, Swaminiji answers all these questions and more.

This episode gives a concise and precise explanation on the meaning and significance of the Gayatri Mantra.

Mantra: Om bhūrbhuvassuvaḥ tatsaviturvareṇyam bhargo devasya dhīmahi dhīyo yo naḥ pracodayāt

How long should one meditate? How does a Jñānī live his/her life? These last verses describe a Jñānī and this Upaniṣad ends here on a grand note on why one strive to gain this knowledge. Om Tat Sat!

This 14 mins meditation is great to quieten the mind and tap into the source of your being, the truth of you as the silent witness of all things. 

Disclaimer: Please do not listen to this mediation while driving or operating machinery.

How to develop a mind ready for this knowledge? Mantras from the Amritabindu Upanishad are discussed here, which tell us how to cultivate chitta shuddhi and chitta nischalyam required in the pursuit of Self knowledge.

This episode expounds on a beautiful verse which state that thoughts alone are saṃsāra, therefore, one has to strive to purify the thoughts. Whatever a person thinks, that is what he/she becomes.

Why is meditation necessary? This verse says that even after a lot of practice there is a way to get derailed. How does one overcome this obstacle?

How to prepare the mind for this knowledge in Kali Yuga? This episode onwards, Swaminiji will be expounding on selected verses from various Upaniṣads which are presented in the Maitri Upaniṣad.

Bhagavan who is Chaitanya ātma, 'created' this whole universe without any desire and manifested as the Jiva, as though caught up in the mechanisms of the mind. This episode sums up this profound verse which is a mahāvākya elucidating the oneness of Jiva with Īśvara.

A mind that doesn't clamor after every thought and emotion is a prerequisite for all sadhakas. This short meditation helps one manage these uncontrollable thoughts and emotions one has about oneself and the world. 

Disclaimer: Please do not listen to this mediation while driving or operating machinery.

This Upaniṣad unfolds the meaning of Kshetragjñaḥ beautifully as that conscious being, which is the knower of this body, manifest in the form of the faculty of the mind, characterized by its capacity of conceiving, resolution, and “I” notion. 

What really is avidyā? what is Ātmajñāna? If the truth of all being is Bhagavan, how did it become this Purusha? Listen to find out. 

The difference between Jiva and Īśvara are not separated by time and space. Ātmajñānam, ignorance due to māyāśakti, is the separating factor between Jiva and Īśvara. This episode gives the definitions of Sat, and Jagat or Mithyā. 

Why is the creation mythology given in the Srutis? and why is it said that Jiva is not a creation of Bhagavan? This talk is a must listen to remove all doubts and understand the purport behind the creation mythology. 

It was expounded earlier that this universe was created by that being, devoid of any desire to create. Puzzled by this statement, the astute Valakhilyas ask Prajapati to explain how a creation is possible without a desiring creator.  Listen to this deeply insightful episode, as Prajapati presents an astounding analogy of sleep to elucidate this very point.

Mantra Japa is a highly recommended practice to help focus the mind to stay on one thought alone. This practice done daily, brings about great concentration and focus, needed for the assimilation of the teachings. Join in to chant Om Namaḥ Śivāya 1008 times. 

Disclaimer: Please do not listen to this episode while driving or operating machinery.

Mantra 5 is very important, in which it is an answer to the Valakhilyas' question. Puruṣasaṃjño in this verse is a mahāvākya, wherein the transcendental and the immanent aspect of Brahman explained in the previous verse is brought together.

What is the meaning of puruṣa? Why is the infallible 'creator', Bhagavan and the fallible Jiva both called by this name? What does it mean when the impeller behind the creation is said to be un-objectifiable, Adṛṣyaḥ? 

The Valakhilyas, after having listened attentively to Lord Prajapati ask a brilliantly astute question. How can this being which has no desires create and how can this being be the impeller? Listen to find out!

This verse says that Bhagavan, the intelligence behind everything is  nirātmāna- one without a mind, ananata- limitless, not dependent of anything, unchanging, and that which abides in its own glory. Listen to this episode to understand the nuanced explanation of these words.

What is Śūnyaḥ? This Upaniṣad is one of the few to use the word Śūnyaḥ, listen to understand the correct meaning of the word. This episode is a continuation of the conversation between Valakhilyas and Lord Prajapati about Brahman.

Thoughts are most common in our experience. They appear from nowhere and seem to disappear in a flash. They are not in our control. Yet they are fundamental to human life and activity. Meditation helps us tame the mind and have a say over our thoughts.

Disclaimer: Please do not listen to this mediation while driving or operating machinery.

This episode continues with the definition of Brahman as jagat karanam which has to be fully understood, assimilated and internalized. 

Verse 3 talked about bhagavan and bhagavati, who is the Jagat karta, the Shakti. Verse 4 is an explanation on how this being creates. Sattā sphūrti pradhānena srijati, it creates by lending its sentience and existence to everything. Anything that exists is non-separate from Bhagavan and anything that exists is all knowledge. 

The Upaniṣads removes ignorance and through this removal, the self effulgent glorious presence is revealed. Hence, Īśvara cannot be established through inference. Listen to this very astute reasoning as to why the purva pakshi's contention that this universe has many creators  falls apart on proper reasoning and inquiry.

Verse 3 introduces us to the renunciates of the highest order, a group of Rishis called Vālakhilyā. They ask Lord Prajapati for the knowledge, for the explanation of that, by which all things insentient as though appear sentient. This verse oozes great wisdom and knowledge, a result of the profound contemplation by the Rishis.

Sage Śākāyanya begins to teach King Bṛhadratha exactly what was unfolded to him by his teacher -Lord Maitri, thus, displaying the highly effective, alive and sacred tradition of the Guru-Sishya parampara. This episode, by way of another story, gives us three important qualities to cultivate for clarity after the exposure of this knowledge. 

Practice this meditation to allow yourself space to examine any deep seated anger and heal from it. Understand that anger is but an unfulfilled desire and build the emotional maturity to surrender all that is not in your control.

Disclaimer: Please do not listen to this mediation while driving or operating machinery.

As one studies and gains the knowledge, viveka and vairāgya is gained. Sage Śākāyanya pleased with King Bṛhadratha penance, tells him to ask for any boon, however, the king launches into a monologue on the reality of the gross, mental and subtle bodies, displaying immense viveka and vairāgya. These mantras serve to give one instant vairāgya.  

King Bṛhadratha's austerity results in the manifestation of a teacher, as the great Sage Śākāyanya. In this episode, we begin Swami Rama Tirtha's erudite commentary on this Upaniṣad, giving us a deeper understanding on what vairāgya and tapas means and why titikṣā, forbearance is important for Self-knowledge. 

This Upaniṣad asks us to turn to karma yoga right away by spiritualizing all actions. It lays great emphasis on the importance on being contemplative on the Self. It asks us to meditate on prana, the life force and vayu, air, to understand the sarvātmābhava, the interconnected whole. Verse 2 then goes on to illustrate a beautiful story of King Bṛhadratha, who desirous of a Guru, renounces his kingdom and performs severe austerity. Find out why vinaya- humility, and vidya- knowledge, go hand in hand and why humility is required for self-knowledge.  

Maitri Upaniṣad appears in the Krishna yajurveda right in the middle. This Upanishad is unique in which, it is the only Upanishad to use the word Śūnya, hence it is also popular among the buddhist and among the proponents of the Sāṅkhya philosophy. Dive into this text and listen to the exposition of Verse 1.

Practice this meditation to assimilate the truth of yourself as ever free, cultivate a healthy objectivity towards the body-mind-sense complex to see you are but that awareness alone.

Disclaimer: Please do not listen to this mediation while driving or operating machinery.

With the Guru's blessings, we begin a new text called the Maitri Upaniṣad. This episode is a brief introduction on the meaning of the word Upaniṣad, the reason for studying it, and what it reveals.

Accustomed to severe subjectivity, one is mired in the same cycles of pain, sorrow, guilt, hurt and anger. Practice this meditation to cultivate a loving objectivity, and to understand the nature of things in order to finally let go.

Disclaimer: Please do not listen to this mediation while driving or operating machinery.

This Upaniṣad ends on an auspicious note by prescribing a sādhanā, an aid to help overcome the obstacles in the way of this knowledge. The sādhanā prescribed is in the form of a very powerful prayer called Sri Rudram, which when chanted regularly reveals the truth of oneself as that which alone is -Kaivalyam.

Note: The entire talk on Sri Rudram is available in this podcast. Scroll to the 1st episode to begin listening. 

As we near the end of the text, we are given the phala sruti, the benefit of learning this text; one assimilates the pure nature of the ātman thereby knowing the nature of the indwelling self as impartite, non-dual, absolute, beyond cause and effect and as the witness of everything. 

This guided mediation is to cultivate courage with understanding in the face of difficult and distressful situations, and heal from them. Meditate on the meaning of the karmic order to see that the disorder is but a part of the vast order.

Disclaimer: Please do not listen to this mediation while driving or operating machinery.