Keno Upanishads

 

केन उपनिषद् | Keno Upanishads Sloka.

यच्चक्षुषा न पश्यति 

येन चक्षूंषि पश्यति ।

तदेव ब्रह्म त्वं विद्धि 

नेदं यदिदमुपासते ॥ 7 ॥

 

That which eyes cannot see, but that by which, the eyes can see, know that alone to be Brahman, (the आत्मतत्त्वं) not this which people worship here.

 

जिसे आँखें नहीं देख सकतीं, परन्तु जिसकी शक्ति से आँखें देखने में समर्थ होती हैं – उसी को तू ब्रह्म जान। यह नहीं, जिसकी लोग उपासना करते हैं।

 

अन्वयः

----------

यत् चक्षुषा न पश्यति, येन चक्षूंषि पश्यति, तत् एव ब्रह्म त्वं विद्धि, न इदम् यत् इदम् उपासते।

 

Be blissful ji. 

S.Sekar - On a Spiritual path

Cat has nine lives but I have only one

Blog site: ssekar.blogspot.com

LIVE THE BHAGAVAD GITA

 

You only need one Lifestyle and it is the Spiritual Lifestyle. 

 

Living/Leading the Life the Spiritual way. 

 

Use your "VIVEKA" and make the right decision.

 

For all your Life needs come to "VEDANTA".

 

PLEASE know the underlying Profound Philosophy.

 

Fact no. 1

 

You are the STATUE. 

You are the SCULPTOR. 

You Sculpt Yourself. 

The Whole world will get sculpted by themselves. 

 

Fact no. 2

 

Bhagavad Gita says:-

 

You have to Lift Yourself by Yourself. 

No one other than You, can Lift You.

 

Enjoy your time. 

Enjoy Life to the fullest. 

Be blissful. 

S.Sekar - On a Spiritual path

Cat has nine lives but I have only one

Blog site: ssekar.blogspot.com

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF MY LIFE?

 

We have the dilemma of choice. Whether to gain Scriptural knowledge or remain ignorant, throughout our Life.

 

Bhagavad Gita helps us to find Peace and Bliss wherever we are. 

 

IGNORANCE (அறியாமை). 

 

Ignorance leads to wrong identification of things and beings. 

Due to ignorance we are all deluded of the Self; because we don't know what is Self.

 

நான் காண்பது எல்லாம் வேறு ஏதோ மாதிரி தெரிகிறது. தப்பாக புரிகிறது. அது எல்லாம் என்னுடைய அறியாமை (அஞ்ஞானம்) என புரிந்து கொண்டேன். 

 

Wrong identification leads to Binding. Binding is called Bandam,  अद्यासम्, Relationship.

Binding relationship leads to Samsara problem.

 

I have to Free myself from Samsara problem and attain Moksha or Liberation; which means I have to free myself from the cycle of Births and Deaths.

 

We can see that Agnanam (ignorance) +  அத்யாயம் (relationship) results in Samsara.

 

Samsara means

Punarabhi jananam punarabhi maranam (you will be borne again and again).

 

The sooner we know this the better for all of us.

 

Let's get out of our ignorance and try to find the purpose of our Life. 

 

Be blissful. 

S.Sekar - On a Spiritual path

Cat has nine lives but I have only one

 

Blogsite: ssekar.blogspot.com

GURU VANDANAM

 

Guru Vandanam to all my Teachers. 

 

Happy Teachers day!!! 

Thank U all for making me what I am today.

 

Teachers are our inspiration and we have to contemplate and learn more and more in the days to come.

 

Sanskrit (Devanagari):

 

आचार्यात् पादमादत्ते पादं शिष्यः स्वमेधया ।

पादं सब्रह्मचारिभ्यः पादं कालक्रमेण च ॥

 

The phrase "आचार्यात् पादमादत्ते" (Acharyat padamadatte) refers to a Sanskrit sloka from the Mahabharata that states a student receives knowledge from four sources: one-fourth from the teacher (आचार्यात् पादमादत्ते), one-fourth from their own intelligence (पादं शिष्य स्वमेधया), one-fourth from fellow students (सब्रह्मचारिभ्यः पादं), and the final one-fourth from the passage of time (पादं कालक्रमेण च). 

 

Be blissful. 

S.Sekar - On a Spiritual path

Cat has nine lives but I have only one

Blogsite: ssekar.blogspot.com

BHAJAGOVINDAM by ADI SANKARA - Verse No. 9

BHAJAGOVINDAM

Adi Sankara

Satsang & its importance. 

 

The 15th Chapter of "Bhagavad Gita" has Only twenty slokas to by heart.

 

A profound Summary was given by Swami Paramarthananda recently at a discourse which covered various aspects of Vedanta, starting with Samsara problem and it's Solution and ending with knowing the truth, reality called Brahman. Explaining what is Chara, Akshara and Uttama Purusha.

 

Satsang with sat Janagha is an important factor which we should note. It is said that just being in the midst of a Satsang group we become pure. 

Our Portland Satsang initiated by Gidu Sriram is an example. We are fortunate to be in this August group.

 

Quoting Bhajagovindam by Sri Adi Sankara:

"Satsangatve nissangatvam" is a Sanskrit phrase meaning "From good company comes non-attachment." It's the first line of a verse from the Bhaja Govindam, a devotional song attributed to Adi Shankara. The verse outlines a path to liberation through spiritual practices and the importance of good company. 

 

Elaboration:

 

Satsangatve:

"Satsang" refers to the association with good and virtuous people, or the truth. 

 

Nissangatvam:

"Nissangatvam" means non-attachment, detachment, or freedom from worldly desires and attachments. 

 

The Meaning:

The phrase emphasizes that associating with virtuous individuals and engaging in spiritual practices leads to a natural detachment from worldly desires and attachments. 

 

Bhaja Govindam:

 

The phrase is part of a longer verse that explains the path to liberation, also known as Moksha or enlightenment. 

 

Shankara's Teachings:

 

Adi Shankara's writings often emphasize the importance of good company and spiritual practices for attaining self-realization and freedom from suffering. 

 

 

Inner Transformation:

The verse suggests that through spiritual practices and good company, one can gradually shed attachments, gain insight into the nature of reality, and ultimately achieve a state of liberation.

 

Bhaja Govindam 

Verse – 9

 

सत्संगत्वे निस्संगत्वं, निस्संगत्वे निर्मोहत्वं।

निर्मोहत्वे निश्चलतत्त्वं, निश्चलतत्त्वे जीवन्मुक्तिः ॥९॥

 

Be blissful. 

S.Sekar - On a Spiritual path 

WHAT IS MEANT BY ATTAINING GNANAM?

 

ஞானம் அடைவது என்றால் என்ன❓

 

Five important things to remember:

1. I should be an easily approachable person. 

2. I should be of help to others. 

3. I should be a Simple, Humble person. 

4. I should be Happy always circumstances apart. 

5. I should learn to say "What if" and "So What" under all circumstances. 

 

இவைகள் எல்லாம் தான் நான் ஞானம் அடைந்ததின் பிரதிபலிப்பு.

Be aware and get to know this. 

 

You will then be able to lift Yourself by Yourself. 

You will then be always smiling which will be Your way of life. 

Anyway, Life is for Living. 

Live Your life to the fullest and Enjoy your time till You breathe your last.

 

Be blissful. 

S.Sekar - On a Spiritual path

Cat has nine lives but I have only one

 

SANDYAVANDANAM AND ITS IMPORTANCE

 

Dear Family,   

Subhamasthu! 

Dear Bandhus,

On this sacred occasion of Upakarma or Avani Avittam, let us pause and reflect upon the mahātva – the profound significance – of the Yajnopavītam, the sacred thread that adorns every Dwija (twice-born). 

 *Why do we wear the Sacred Thread – the Yajnopavītam*?  The Upanayanam samskāra is not merely a social function, but a spiritual rebirth (Dvitiya Janma), wherein the child becomes a Vatu, initiated into Brahmavidya – the knowledge of the Self. The sacred thread symbolizes readiness to pursue the path of knowledge, purity, and discipline.  🧵 The thread (sutra) is placed across the left shoulder and under the right arm – not arbitrarily, but precisely across the hridaya-sthāna (heart region) and mārga of vital energies.  As prescribed by the Smritis:  > “Yajnopavītam paramam pavitram, prāṇa-swarūpam, prabhum īśam avyayam…” (It is supremely pure, representing the life force, the divine Lord Himself.)

🕉️ *The Three Strands – What do they Mean?*  Each strand in the Yajnopavītam carries rich symbolic value:  1. ऋजुता (Rujutā) – Purity of Manas (mind)  2. वाच्यता (Vāchyatā) – Truth in Vāk (speech)   3. कायशुद्धि (Kāya Shuddhi) – Discipline in Karma (action)  Alternatively, they represent the three debts (Ṛṇa-trayam):  Pitru Ṛṇa – Debt to ancestors  Rishi Ṛṇa – Debt to sages  Deva Ṛṇa – Debt to deities  Wearing the thread is an acceptance of these Ṛṇas and a pledge to fulfill them through righteous living.

🔬 *The Subtle Science and Energy Connection*  The Yajnopavītam is no mere thread – it is an energetic harness.  It passes through key nāḍis and marmasthānas, promoting alignment of prāṇa.  The pressure across the left shoulder and chest subtly regulates the Ida-Pingala nāḍis, balancing mental and physical energies.  It acts like a yantra – a sacred geometry placed on the body, promoting harmony, mindfulness, and spiritual alertness.

🔁 *Why is it Changed Annually – Significance of Upākarmanam?*  During Avani Avittam, we change the thread and recite the Mahā Sankalpam, where we declare:  > “Yajnopavītadhāraṇam karishye” (I shall now adorn the sacred thread again.)  The old thread is discarded with humility, recognizing the doshas (flaws) accumulated over the past year. The new thread represents:  A fresh resolve to pursue Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram.  A spiritual renewal akin to chaitanya (recharging the life force).  A cleansing of karma and thought patterns, as we recommit to our nitya karmas like Sandhyāvandanam.  This ritual is timed with the movement of the sun in Dakshinayana – a phase for inner growth and austerity.

🙏 *Beyond the Ritual – Understanding the Spirit*  In the rush of modern life, many perform these rituals mechanically. But as Rishis taught:  > “Na karmaṇām anārambhān naiṣkarmyaṁ puruṣośhnute…” (One does not attain perfection by mere non-performance or blind ritual.)  Let us therefore:  Understand the intent behind the practice.  Live the values it signifies: humility, learning, service, and devotion.  Be proud torchbearers of our paramparā, not just by outer symbols but inner chitta-shuddhi (purity of mind).  🕉️ Yajnopavītam na tu kevalam dhāranam, kintu jīvana-sutraḥ – The sacred thread is not merely to be worn — it is the thread of life, purpose, and Dharma.  Let us wear it with reverence, maintain it with purity, and live by the light of the Gayatri. 

Gayatri māta ki jaya!  Vedamāta Bharati ki jaya!

Hari Om 🕉️ Tat Sat

Be blissful. 

S.Sekar - On a Spiritual path; Cat has nine lives but I have only one Blogsite: ssekar.blogspot.com

*BLESSINGS OF A GURU*

 

*BLESSINGS OF A GURU*

 Sri Adi Shankara, known as Jagadguru, has been one of the most divine Gurus we have ever had in our country who preached the Advaita philosophy. Today we are going to discuss how a Guru's blessings can change the life of a person. 

 Adi Shankara had a shishya by name *Giri* who was always with him. He was serving as a true shishya, by taking care of his Guru Adi Shankara by washing his clothes, cleaning his room, etc. But compared to all other shishyas whom Adi Shankara had, Giri was not very intelligent. He had an average intellect and would take a lot of time to grasp anything taught to him. 

Once Adi Shankara was about to begin his discourse with his Shishyas and all except Giri were present. He decided to wait for Giri who had gone to wash the clothes of his Guru in the river. Other shishyas joked on Giri and mentioned to Adi Shankara that anyway Giri is a slow-learner and does not understand much, so let us not wait for him and let us start the class. However Adi Shankara saw the ego and pride exhibited by others because of poor intellect of his shishya Giri. *Adi Shankara through his divine powers instantaneously blessed Giri with intellect while he was washing his Guru's clothes at the river* 

 *IMMEDIATELY GIRI RETURNED RUNNING FROM THE RIVER, HIGHLY ENERGETIC (WHICH HE WAS NEVER BEFORE) AND FELL ON THE FEET OF ADI SHANKARA, DID NAMASKARAMS TO HIM AND LOOKED INTO HIS GURU’S EYES AND STARTING SINGING! TO EVERYONE'S SURPRISE, HE STARTED FLUENTLY CHANTING SANSKRIT SLOKAS AND THAT TOO SOMETHING WHICH OTHER SHISHYAS HAD NEITHER HEARD NOR THEIR GURU HAD EVER TAUGHT! What he was chanting was something TOTALLY NEW, SOMETHING SPONTANEOUS which he composed on his Guru INSTANTANEOUSLY then and there and he sang a total of 8 slokas in praise of his Guru, in the Totaka chandas (Totaka meter, which has exactly 12 syllables per verse*). An amazing feat which others could not believe. He was then christened the name *TOTAKACHARYA* by his Guru and his 8 slokas composition in praise of his Guru came to be known as *TOTAKASHTAKAM*. *He then became so empowered because of his Guru’s blessings that he then composed a 179 sloka composition called 'Sruti Sara Samuddharana' in Totaka Chandas, and went on the become the Peetadhipati for Jyotir Math at Badri.* 

*Such powerful are the blessings of the Guru. A Guru’s position is equivalent to one's father, mother and God* 

Jaya Jaya Shankara ! Hara Hara Shankara !

Be Blissful.

S.SEKAR

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

VEDANTIC TEACHING

 

Vedantic teaching PART- II

Katopanishad says,

1. Uthistatha (wake up spiritually) 

2. Jagratha (be aware).

3. Pragyavaran nibhodhata.

It says, May you understand your still higher nature. This is Spiritual awakening. After understanding You are “Brahman”, may you understand your higher nature. The fifth capsule of Vedanta says, by forgetting my nature, I convert life into a struggle and by remembering my nature, I convert life into a sport/ entertainment.

I have to get rid of Raga Dvesha especially towards other people. I should not spend time in judging others. I should focus on myself. I should try to uplift myself by myself. I should never allow the world to become powerful enough to control / overpower me. I should not slip anytime from Vedantic teaching.

Sridara Swami refers to Mandukya Upanishad approach.  When Waker is over powered by sleep, two things happen. Either he goes to dream experiencing a projection or he goes to sleep with no projection. In both state, he doesn't know his waker's nature. It is Aggrahana Or Anyathagrahana in Mandukya Upanishad. Either ways, I lose sight of my super waker's nature.  Finally, never disregard the world.  Give the world sufficient importance. Alert living is Nidhithyasanam. Don't allow Raga Dvesha to over power you. Transact with the World with alertness.

Be blissful. 

S.Sekar - On a Spiritual path

                Cat has nine lives but I have only one

Vedantic Teaching

Vedantic Teaching

 

I give you in two parts.

PART - I 

Three cardinal lessons/teachings of Vedanta:-

1. Brahma Satyam

2. Jagat Mithyam

3. Aham Brahmaiva Na Paraha.

Further Vedanta says “Satyam Gnanam Anantham Brahma”. There is only one truth called “Satyam” and there is no second.

This is for my own growth. Brahman alone is Satyam (absolute reality). The World is Mithya (relative reality). The world is Real under certain conditions only.  We can take the example of a Dream.

Whether the dream is real Or unreal?  For whom, we should ask?

Dream is unreal only. It existed in my Mind only. When I woke up, it resolved into my mind only. It is from a Waker's standpoint.  For a dreamer, a dream is not a dream in his dream. He looks upon a dream as Waking only.  He looks upon himself as a waker and not a dreamer.  For a Waker dream is within.  For a dreamer the dream is outside.  The waker's world is very much outside.  The World has ETU - Can be Experienced - Is Transactable - Is Useful.  WORLD has a Utility for a waker. Vedanta says the world is real for a waker. Vedanta considers world as another type of dream, mistaking ourselves to be awake. Waker's World is outside and it has got ETU also. This world is real only from a waker's standpoint. Both dreams are real from the Observer's standpoint.  We have to wake up (uthista) says Vedanta by acquiring Spiritual knowledge.  To be contd in Vedantic Teaching Part – II.

Be blissful.

 S.Sekar – On a Spiritual Path

                  Cat has Nine Lives but I have Only One.

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

 

  

THE CHOSEN GOOSE

A goose with strong wings and steady instincts longed to lead the group. He flew with purpose, honked with confidence—yet others took the lead while he remained in formation.

 

Frustrated, he asked an elder, “Why am I never chosen?”

 

The elder watched the sky. “Leading isn’t about wanting the front. It’s about being ready when the wind calls your name.”

 

So the goose prepared—not by pushing forward, but by steadying others. He guided the lost, strengthened the weary, learned the currents, and flew with quiet certainty.

 

Then, one crisp morning, as the lead bird faltered, the wind called his name. The flock echoed it, their voices lifting him skyward. Without hesitation, he surged forward—not because he demanded it, but because he was ready when the moment arrived.

 

Don’t just help you be seen— ensure you’re prepared when opportunity calls.

Strengthen your wings. Listen for your name. The sky is waiting.

Be blissful.

S.Sekar

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

 

SCHOLAR IS REVERED EVERYWHERE

 

SCHOLAR IS REVERED EVERYWHERE

 

Introduction:

Knowledge is called wisdom. It takes many forms based on the subject matter. It can be categorized as worldly and otherworldly. All knowledge related to worldly matters perishes with time, whereas knowledge of the otherworldly, such as divine wisdom, transcends time. 

In Indian culture, worldly knowledge is considered necessary for practical life, while spiritual wisdom is regarded as a means to attain divine experience. It is established that both types of knowledge are essential. The term ‘Vidya’ (knowledge) is synonymous with wisdom.

 A knowledgeable person is honored both in his homeland and in foreign lands. Even kings seek the guidance of scholars in matters requiring special expertise. A wise person, through his profound knowledge, educates and benefits society by sharing his wisdom in various places.

Thus, for the betterment of society and the upliftment of individuals, knowledge plays a vital role. A learned person is respected not because of wealth but due to his intellectual capabilities. Knowledge, when widely shared, brings great benefits. 

Therefore, knowledge is truly great. Indeed, one who is knowledgeable is considered truly wise. Knowledgeable individuals always possess the ability to make good use of their knowledge. Even in the absence of wealth, a learned person is distinguished by their knowledge, and thus, they are able to acquire the necessary resources. Unlike wealth, which may not always bring honor, knowledge always earns respect.

 A wise person enjoys various kinds of pleasures, while a wealthy person experiences only materialistic enjoyment. The knowledgeable, by virtue of their wisdom, gain immense happiness. Just as a guru (teacher) is honored by everyone, a knowledgeable person is respected everywhere.

Thus, it is said: “Knowledge is the guru of gurus.”  This idea is supported by Bhartrihari, who states that those devoid of knowledge are comparable to animals.

The benefits of knowledge are many and universal. A truly wise person understands all its advantages. Unlike material wealth, which can be stolen or lost, knowledge always remains with the person and cannot be taken away. 

A king, without his kingdom or wealth, may not always receive respect, but a wise person is always honored, whether in their own country or abroad. This statement clearly highlights the significance of knowledge.

This passage emphasizes the supreme value of knowledge over wealth and power, asserting that wisdom ensures respect, prosperity, and lasting benefits in all circumstances.

Be blissful

S.SEKAR