Arsha Vijnana Gurukulam

In this episode, we end Anuvaka 9 and move on to Anuvaka 10 which has 12 mantra and each one has a dhyana sloka. This Anuvaka is a summation on the message of Sarvātmābhava. The theme is similar to the 1st Anuvaka. Bhukti- sense enjoyment, and Mukti- freedom from samsara are simultaneously prayed for. Rudra is invoked as subhāṃ, mangalam- auspiciousness, whereby it is understood that ones real nature is already mangalam and non-separate from Bhagavan.

This section continues with the the topic of Sarvātmābhava at a micro level. Rudra is seen as presiding in the thorns and creepers, in destructible and flammable things like dry wood and leaves and big waves, invisible things like viruses, dew drops and fogs and also in everything that exist in the dark, hidden and difficult to reach places. All the difficult and troubling things are seen as non-seperate from Rudra. Through this anuvaka and the previous one, we are eliminating these dyadic mental categorization of good and bad. Everything here is Bhagavan.

The latter portion of Anuvaka 8 and the beginning of Anuvaka 9, goes back to the the topic of Sarvātmābhava. Bhagavan in seen in each and every aspect of creation. He is seen in all manifestations of nature, in the river and river banks, in the desert and dunes, in the small pathways, a humble shelter, cowshed and opulent mansion. 

In this section various manifestations of Sukha, happiness is invoked. Rudra is invoked as the one in-charge of total well being, individually and collectively. Sivaya, as the most auspicious and the ultimate happiness is invoked as the famed pachakshari mantra. Siva also means free of afflictions, which is the truth of every Jiva, human being.

Bhagavan as Sarva loka Upasya murti, is seen as the source to the fulfillment of all desires. This mantra is a fervent prayer for saṃsārika sukha- happiness centered on the finite, as well as Ātyantika sukha in the form of Moksha. This anuvaka is regarded as highly exalted because it invokes Bhagavan as an embodiment to show us the way to Moksha. 

This is guided invitation to be at home with oneself, by inhibiting the inner temple. 

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The clarity to make the right choices is a great blessing in one's life. We invoke the grace of Mother Goddess Gayatri and pray for discrimination and clarity to make proper decisions in life.

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It can seem impossible to get out from under the grip of helplessness despite one's best efforts. One surrenders by repeating the chant of "Om Namah Sivaya."

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Each day is filled with obstacles and hidden variables that are not anticipated. One acknowledges one's helplessness and seeks refuge in the Lord of all beings, Ganesha.

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Understanding the truth of oneself as Isvara, which is manifest both without and within. One contemplates upon everything as a manifestation of Isvara, starting with one's body to the five elements.

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Anuvaka 8 is loaded with deep symbolism and is highly revered. The theme of Sarvātmābhava continues along with three additional themes of Upasya murti, where Bhagavan is looked upon as the various forms worshipped traditionally; Shakti, where Bhagavan is seen together with his consort; and the fulfillment of all Puruṣārtha -dharma, artha, kama, Moksha. 

As we enter Anuvaka 7, the theme of Bhagavan as the warrior and protector of all warriors is presented. The battlefield is a metaphor of life itself. This Anuvaka teaches us to see every struggle as non-seperate from Rudra. Everything is 'iswarized'. Rudra is seen as the karma phala-data (giver of karma) and the one who paves a way out of these struggles. Rudra is the protector and moreover, Rudra is courage and discrimination needed to navigate life.

From that which is born of Earth -the grains that nourish, to that born of Yama -death; from forest to trees and from Vedas to Vedanta, everything is seen as the maifestation of Rudra. It is to be understood that everything is maintained by the infallible law of Bhagavan in the most resourceful way. 

An advanced guide to mantra-japa, repetition of the chant. The conscious and regular practice of japa enables one to discover oneself as he consciousness, the sentient presence that pervades the chanter, the chant, and Isvara, the object of the chant. Understanding this one discovers oneself as whole.

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A contemplation on the Mother Goddess. Connecting to Mother Durga through a chant, one prays for help in the worship and integration of the feminine within oneself.

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Gauḍapāda, a revered teacher of Advaita Vedanta, talks about the integration of the inner child and the adult. This is key, as it brings out the objective person, as opposed to the one suffering in traumatic subjectivity. In the Vedic tradition, all rituals of prayer, meditation and actions, are geared towards healing whereby one begins to understand oneself as non-separate from the whole. Instead of looking to be saved and healed, one is able to do it for oneself. 

Mental Worship- Manasa Puja meditaiton is an invigorating morning meditation in the form of an elaborate mental worship.

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Every opposites and contradictions in this manifest universe is Bhagavan. As we begin the 6th Anuvaka, the theme of nimitta-kāraṇam, cause of the universe and the all pervasiveness of Bhagavan continues. Everything born in the universe, big and small, old and young, moving and unmoving, mammals and trees, are discussed here so as to drive home the presence of Bhagavan in everything.

Everything in this world comes in pairs of opposites. Bhagavan pervades everything and shines as the truth of everything. Understanding this, one has to be equipped with a consciousness that does not give into bestial tendencies and exercise one's ability to override them by recognizing one's innate desire to grow spiritually. In Vedanta, as one evolves, worship becomes subtle, Bhagavan's abiding presence is recognized in the entire cosmos.  

The 5th Anuvaka shows Bhagavan as the nimitta-kāraṇam, the intelligent cause of the universe. The five-fold function of Bhagavan, sristi-sthihi-laya (creator, sustainer, resolver) along with a nuanced explanation on Bhagavan as the cause of Bandha and Moksha (bondage and freedom) are presented in this talk. Listen to learn more!

The fourth Anuvaka is famous for Sarvātmābhava, the oneness of everything. It is an attempt to neutralize the deep seated prejudices by seeing everything as the manifestation of Bhagavan. The order and any disruption when looked upon deeply, is recognized as an infallible part of the order itself.

Letting go and letting God! Seeing the order as Isvara.

When one is present with what is -the order, one is in the flow of Isvara. One gains new insight and sees that one is non-separate from the order that is Isvara.

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Seeing everything as Isvara (God). This practice helps in the cultivation of inner space within oneself, which leads to the understanding that one is free and limitless.

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In this meditation we make space for stillness. The universal addiction towards doing makes it difficult to discover stillness. This meditation guides one to stillness. Abiding in stillness is abiding in Isvara. 

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'Sainthood is one's birthright which has to be understood, assimilated, actualized and lived'.

Lives of Saints become a blueprint for everyone yearning for the absolute freedom from the cycles of samsara, full of fear, sorrow, anger and delusion. Listen to this inspiring talk on the lives saints such as Akka Mahadevi and Tulsidas and learn how to practice compassion. 

All that is here is Isvara. Understanding this, one is relaxed. Relaxation is not just the state of one's body and mind; it is the truth of oneself, the total acceptance of what is. 

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The emphasis on the falsity of categories between the sentient and insentient are illustrated here. These verses examine these habitual distinctions and help loosen it's sway over a sadhaka.

There is no room for dyads in Vedanta and in Sri Rudram. Hence, the entire trajectory of the mantra is that of non-differentiation. All distinctions between the macrocosm and microcosm, the big and small has to be resolved and understood as one. All categories has to be 'Ishwarized'.

What is compassion and how to cultivate it? Why is time and space a mere construct and not a permanent reality? Listen to this insightful episode to learn more!

Rudra here is invoked as the seven Matrikas, the universal Mothers. Matrikas operate on the unconscious level bestowing self-mastery over one's bestial emotions. These verses are a lesson on accommodation and forgiveness. 

A prayer to the Mother and Father of the universe for acceptance of what is, and for freedom from helplessness. As an individual, one is helpless. Prayer is the acknowledgement of Isvara in the form of one's helplessness. Mental prayer is an action. When one discovers Isvara in everything that one cannot alter, one is freed of helplessness.

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An intermediate guide to Mantra-japa, repetition of the chant. In this session, one goes deeper into the practice, working to stay with the japa, overcoming mental distractions.

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The present is what is constant- the present is the truth of oneself. The discovery of the present as oneself leads one to be free of striving for being limitless, which is already accomplished.

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Anuvaka 4 introduces us to the feminine principal. We look at Bhagavan in connection to Shakti, the manifesting power, which is non-separate from Bhagavan. This prayer neutralizes one's prarabdha-karma which could unleash the feminine forces.

In this episode, we finish Anuvaka 3 and move on to Anuvaka 4, which continues in the same vein as Anuvaka 3. This mantra is said to help to remove dreadful diseases. In addition, all the natural calamities like cyclones, earthquakes, hurricanes etc are acknowledged as the feminine forces - Shakti, the power of the lord itself.

An enquiry into the meditator. This session is centered upon discovering the meaning of "I" and gaining inner space between oneself and the roles that one plays in the course of the day.

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Sri Rudram is a powerful purifier. This mantra dismisses duality with the understanding that the status of duality is a mere projection and in-fact, it only has a dependent reality. When this is internalized properly, one grows in emotional maturity and one is able to see all the harsh, hurtful and unprovoked aggressors of every variety as nothing other than manifestations of Isvara. 

Everything in this world including the Jiva (sentient being) is born with diametrically opposing diads- good and bad, ignorance and knowledge, time and space etc. This keeps one subsumed in samsara hence, a cognitive shift is needed to go beyond these diads and see the oneness to abide in non-duality.  This episode is a recap on what Anuvaka 3 is all about to reinforce this vision.

A twilight meditation designed to promote relaxation. When one lets go of all the categories that make up one's day, one is awakened to the reality of oneself as the whole, non-dual, and limitless.

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

A basic guide to Mantra-japa, repetition of the chant. The mind naturally moves from one thought to another, and it is impossible to control one's thoughts. Through the regular practice of japa, one can gain mastery over the ways of one's thinking.

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

This meditation is from a guided meditation series called 'Foundation' by Swamini Svatmavidyanada, based on the teachings of Sri Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati. Join us everyday to cultivate a steady practice!

This meditation is called Dhyanam, it is a thorough step-by-step guide based on the 6th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita to assist the beginner in meditation. This beginning session includes firming the posture, pranayama (breath work) and introduces mantra-japa (repetition of chant) as highlighting the connection between the individual (jiva) and the total (Isvara).

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Disorder is included in the order and everything in the universe -the good and the bad is Bhagavan alone but Bhagavan is neither good or bad. The verses covered in this episode presents an exhaustive list of all kinds of difficult people and we are encouraged to see Bhagavan in them, to understand that the karma phala has to unfold in a particular manner. listen to learn more.

Anuvaka 3 presents an extremely sophisticated understanding of Bhagavan. It is a treatise on all the belligerent elements in the universe and it explains the machinations of the law of karma from the standpoint of Ishwara. This Anuvaka when assimilated correctly is a lesson on vairagya (freedom from attachment) and viveka (discrimination between the real and unreal) required for spiritual growth.

Up until now, all the benign manifestations have been discussed as nothing other than Bhagavan. As Anuvaka 2 comes to a close, the all pervasive nature of Bhagavan is reinforced. Progressing to Anuvaka 3, the sadhaka also progresses in maturity. We are introduced to the not-so benign aspects of the universe, our vision undergoes a transformation as we are shown how to see them. This third Anuvaka takes us on a journey of spiritual growth and frees us from guilt. 

Mantras hold the power to dissolve all hopelessness and it helps one cross the river of samsara. In these verses, Rudra is invoked as the source and recipient of all mantras. Rudra is recognized as the truth of everything, Rudra is all light and all knowledge (Sat-Chit-Ananda), hence nothing is ever hidden from him. Rudra is the Vedas itself that reveal the truth hidden from me. 

These verses help bring out a deep sense of surrender needed for all spiritual practitioners. In understanding Bhagavan as the charioteer of one's life, the sadhaka surrenders the reigns of his/her life to that adorable one who is limitless and indestructible. Listen to understand why the Atman is asanga (free of afflictions) and how indeed all disorders are included in the grand order. 

Saints embody what every human yearns to be and what every sadhaka wishes to become. Listen to this inspiring talk on the lives of saints -Ghosha a female seer and philosopher who was healed of her disfigurement and went on to write two prominent hymns in the Vedas, Purandara Dasa a 16th century saint who underwent a mighty transformation and became the founding proponent of Carnatic Music and composed 475 devotional songs on Krishna, and lastly, Valmiki who mended his ways and went on to write the legendary epic -Ramayana. 

The oneness reiterated so gracefully throughout Sri Rudram is the essence of the vision of Vedanta. These verses bring out the vibrancy of Bhagavan's presence in everything one sees, including oneself. Rudra, the creator of this universe is beyond ignorance hence beyond the spell of his own creation. To this Rudra who wields the power to cut down samsara of all his Bhaktas (devotees), I surrender.

Mantra 2 forms the entire second Anuvaka.  Each mantra brings out the glory of Bhagavan and bears fruit accordingly. This mantra gives inner clarity, purpose and discipline needed for the pursuit of knowledge towards Moksha. One begins to see this entire Jagat (world) as Bhagavan, recognizing and saluting the adistana devata (presiding deity) in everything, thereby losing subjectivity and felling the tree of samsara.

Continuing with the interluding verse between Anuvaka 1 and 2, Rudra is invoked as the one who dissolves and resolves all duality. All false divisions including time is devoured as mithya leaving myself as the timeless 'I'.