Introduction to Upanishads Class 1:Introduction to Vedanta- Video, Slides

Contributed By Dr Thimappa Hegde

Click here for Reference material: Introduction to Vedanta by Swami Paramarthananda. Based on Tattva Bodha. Transcribed by Smt. Viji Natarajan available at Arshaavinash website

Om Akhanda Manadalakaram

Vyaptam yena Charaacharam

Tadpadam Darshitam Yena

Tasmai Sri Guruve Namaha

When you become a Spiritual Seeker-Life becomes a spiritual journey- Welcome to the World of the Upanishads

parīkṣya lokānkarmacitānbrāhmaṇo nirvedamāyānnāstyakṛtaḥ kṛtena |

tadvijñānārthaṃ sa gurumevābhigacchet

samitpāṇiḥśrotriyaṃbrahmaniṣṭham || 12 ||

Mundaka 1Khanda 2

From Samsara to Moksha

•Dukkhalaya

•Buddha

•MBBS to MJ BS

Stages of a Spiritual Journey

•1st. Jnana Yogyatha

•2nd Jnana Prapthi

•3rd Jnana Nishta

Spiritual Exercises

•1st. Jnana Yogyatha

•2nd Jnana Prapthi

•3rd Jnana Nishta

•1st. Karma and Upasana

•2nd Sharavanam, Mananam

•3rd Nidhidyasanam

FIR

F frequency of emotional disturbances

I intensity of emotional disturbances

R the recovery period

Purushārtha & Shāstram

Contributed by DR SUNDER

Karma Yoga: Right action and right attitude

Contributed by Ullas

Karma Yoga

•Karma Yoga = Karma + Yoga

•First discipline for a mumukshu

•Karma = Proper Action

•Yoga = Proper Attitude

Types of Action

•Satvik – Compulsory. Promote spiritual growth

•Rajasic – Allowed. Promote material growth

•Tamasic – Banned. Demote spiritual growth

Sattvik Action

•Compulsory for every mumukshu – no choice or likes

•Nishkama Karma – Intangible benefits

•Five Types:

•Deva Yajna – Worship, Pooja, Japa.

•Pitra Yajna – Parents and forefathers.

•Brahma Yajna – Understand & Promote scriptures. Revere rishis.

•Manushya Yajna – Service to fellow humans. Protect the poor & serve the needy.

•Bhoota Yajna – Not only humans but also animals, plants – ecological balance.

•Proportion can be different but cannot be omitted

•Are generally deprioritized in favor of actions for material growth

Rajasic Action

•Sakama Karma – Fulfil desires (mainly selfish)

•Primarily for material growth

•Not compulsory but not banned either

•Allowed by scriptures – not a sin

Tamasic Action

•Nishidha Karma – Prohibited action

•Selfish at expense of others – Violence, Cheating etc.

Yoga (Proper Attitude)

•Mental state of equanimity

•Respond not react. Learn from experiences

•How to achieve this mental state:

•Acceptance: Not all actions are by our choice.

•No comparison: Comparison makes me feel smaller.

•Humility: I never accomplish anything completely on my own.

•Devotion: Isvara Arpana and Prasad Buddhi. He is never unjust.

Benefits of Karma Yoga

•Inner growth irrespective of material growth

•Prioritization becomes easy: from artha kama to dharma moksha

•Competence: Desire for moksha is not enough

•Sufficient Punyam: Conducive environment. Finding a guru and making use of his presence.

Take home message

•Proper Action + Proper Attitude

•More Satvik, Reduce Rajasic, Avoid Tamasic

•Perform Pancha Maha yajnas

•Ishvara Arpana + Prasada Bhava

•Gain competence for moksha

Next: Upasana Yoga…

Upāsana Yoga

Contributed by Dr. Diwakar

Jnāna Yoga

Contributed by Dr. Anupama

Knowledge of BRAHMAN

Yoga of WISDOM

Cultivation of discrimination between ATMA and ANATMA

Purpose of JNANA YOGA or ATMA JNANA

•ATTAINMENT OF MOKSHA PURUSHARTHA

•What is MOKSHA?

•Freedom from bondage or dependence

•What is the cause of bondage?

• The first 3 purusharthas.

• DHARMA, ARTHA, KAMA

TYPES OF BONDAGE

•1] BHAARAH = Stress of possession

•2]EMPTINESS= Loneliness due to non possession of objects

• Ubhayataha paasah Rajjuhu

•Either way a problem

What are the virtues of freedom?

1]ACCEPTANCE of that situation which cannot be changed

2]COURAGE to change what can be changed

DISCRETION to know the difference between the two

HOW DO I GET SELF KNOWLEDGE?

•Knowledge, whether PARA or APARA vidya is attained by using an instrument called PRAMANA

•APARA VIDYA is acquired by perception or inference

•Perception is possible by using the 5 sense organs

• =Paurusheya pramana

• =Pratyaksha pramana

•These sense organs are extroverted instruments

•Hence incapable of studying the SUBJECT behind the instruments

•Eg. The eyes cannot see the seer

THE SIXTH PRAMANA

•The SUBJECT cannot be subject to objectification

•Therefore a sixth pramana is needed

•This is called SHASTRA PRAMANA or SHABDHA PRAMANA

•Since it is extrinsic it is called APAURUSHEYA PRAMANA

•The technique of using shastra pramana or scriptural study is called

• JNANA YOGA

• Enquiry into VEDANTA with the help of a GURU

The 3 Stages of Jnana Yoga

Sharavanam, systematic and continuous listening to Vedantic scripture for a length of time under the guidance of a competent acharya.
Mananam, resolving all intellectual doubts until I can say with conviction “ I am Brahman “
Nidhidyasanam, transforming the intellectual knowledge of ‘ I am Brahman’ into emotional strength

JEEVANMUKTHI

•Through Shravana, manana and nidithyasana a person becomes a

•JEEVANMUKTAH

•A state of being enlightened though embodied

•Anchored to the AHAM of AHAM BRAHMA ASMI

•Realising that you are THE ABSLOUTE yet particularised as an individual in the vyavaharika prapancha

Bhakti Yoga

Contributed by Madhusudhan

Glimpse of next week’s topic Dr. Thimappa Hegde

manuṣhyāṇāṁ sahasreṣhu kaśhchid yatati siddhaye

yatatām api siddhānāṁ kaśhchin māṁ vetti tattvataḥ

•

•Am I Qualified ? DDDD

Sharira Triyam- Kosha Panchakam -Avastha Triya

Pratah Smarahmi-

Prátah smarámi hrudi samsphuradátmatattvam

Saccitsukham paramahamsagatim turèyam

Yatsvapna jágarasussuptamavaiti nityam

Tadbrahma niskalamaham na cha bhutasañgha. (1)

Om Puurnnam-Adah Puurnnam-Idam

Puurnnaat-Purnnam-Udacyate

PuurnnasyaPuurnnam-Aadaaya

Puurnnam-Eva-Avashissyate ||

Om ShaantihShaantihShaantih ||