VEDANTIC MEDITATION

We are discussing here the text from panchadasi.  In the topic of Gnana palam, Vidyaranya points out that a Gnani will continue to experience the world as before (before he became a Gnani). He has a physical body and mind also. He also has prarabdha. He will have experiences brought by prarabdha directly. Other experiences are created by the icha of a Gnani. A Gnani will have bhoga or experiences. Bhoga is a Sanskrit word that means “indulgence,” “enjoyment,” “consumption,” “experience” and “sensual pleasure.” In yogic philosophy, bhoga is a term used in several ways. Some see bhoga as the enjoyment of earthly pleasure that prevents self-realization. Gnani’s desires are different from an Agnani. Agnani’s desire is a binding one while Gnani’s desire is not.

In Brigadharanya Upanishad, it is said in the state of a Gnani’s knowledge, there is no duality or plurality. Pramada, Pramanam and Prameyam are negated in the state of a Gnani. For triputi, Pramada, Pramanam and Prameyam have to be there. There is either no observer or the observed. Triputi negating statements are analyzed in Bramhasutra. The conclusion is that a Gnani will not have Triputi. It is referring to a Gnani after he attained “Videga Mukthi”. After attaining Videga Mukthi there is no Stula sariram, No Sukshma Sariram and No Karana Sariram as Karana sariram is merged into Brahman. Gnanam Avasta is Nirvikalpa Avasta (no duality). In Samadhi (total absorption in meditation) Avasta, triputi is absent. Gnana Avasta is state of Knowledge. A Gnani has an absent of Duality.

The equation is

Non-perception of duality + Knowledge of Adwaida Gnanam = Aparoksha Gnanam. This combination is in Nirvikalpa samadhi, which is a unique state.

If mind is present then it is Savikalpa Samadhi.

For attaining Gnanam (scriptural knowledge) one has to do systematic study of the scriptures under the guidance of a competent Guru who himself is well versed in the same and has practised the same for a length of time. Benefit of gaining knowledge is that a Gnani is free from desires. This should not be literally taken as a Gnani will have a desire because of prarabdha karma. Because of Vasanas different Gnani’s do different things after gaining Gnanam. A Gnani is free from binding desires. A Gnani has poornathvam if a desire is either fulfilled or not fulfilled.   

Vedantic meditation is not a thoughtless state. We never attempt to go through a thoughtless state. We engage our mind also during meditation. This is a state in which Vedantic thought continues effortlessly without my will. Mind should be there for thoughts to happen. We have to come to the thought “Aham Brahma asmi” which is required. During Shravanam Guru and Shastra (scriptures) generates the thought “That Tvam Asi” (that you are, Atma/Brahman). Guru’s assistance is required. After the student receives the knowledge, he does not require the assistance of a Guru or Scriptural teachings. Nidhithyasanam is recollecting the knowledge, which has been received/collected during Shravanam. We don’t go to a thoughtless mindless state. Our thoughts are undistracted by other thoughts during Nidhithyasanam.

For handling the mind, I should practice Yogabyasa, which is Chitta, Shutta virthihi. At this point, mind is able to obey me. Doing Astanga yoga is useful to me for mind obedience. I have to control the mind since mind has involuntary thoughts. Guru and Shastra upadesa is required for gaining spiritual knowledge. I have to listen to “that tvam asi” mahavakyam from the Guru. By practicing yoga, even an undisciplined mind can be disciplined. Capacity to withdraw the mind at my will is a wonderful thing. Meditation is when the mind is withdrawn from the external world. In the Sixth chapter of Bhagavad Gita Lord Krishna talked about Yoga. Yoga is useful for disciplining the mind and not for gaining Gnanam.

Now and then, I should learn to withdraw from the world, withdraw from my family and mentally take Sanyasa and live in my higher nature. I have to donate all my family members to Bhagavan.  I should involve in the world at my will and withdraw from the world at my will. I should enter the drama at will and go to the green room at will. A Gnani desires but not like Agnani. Agnani desires may go along with worry, stress, tension etc. A Gnani’s desire may not go with any of these disturbances.

If mind accepts a loss, it is a non-binding raga (desire). Binding Kama (desire) nivirthi is the benefit of Atma Gnanam. The 4^th capsule of Vedanta says, “I am never affected by any event that happens in the material universe or in the material body mind sense complex. This is another benefit of Atma Gnanam.

Study of Panchadasi is generally done after a course on Upanishads. Panchadasi is an analysis of various portions taken from the Upanishads.  

By doing Vedantic meditation

I have to receive knowledge – Should keep a good mind

I have to retain knowledge – Have a disciplined mind

I have to assimilate knowledge – Have a prepared mind.

Enjoying the benefit of knowledge requires a disciplined mind.

Be blissful.

S.SEKAR

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

UDDHAVA GITA PRILIMINARY VERSES

The entire first chapter of fifty verses of Uddhava Gita gives us the background story similar to the first chapter of Bhagavad Gita. Preparation of the background story is always to bring the Guru and the Sishya together. In Uddhava Gita, Krishna the Guru and Uddhava the Sishya come together. Spiritual scriptures should be studied only under the guidance of an Acharya who is proficient in the same. Main teaching starts from the second chapter only.

From the 7^th Verse up to 19^th Verse lord Krishna is glorified. We can look upon the Lord from three different angles. This is because scriptures define the Gods in all the three versions. The first version is bhagavan is a particular deity with a finite form. Your Ista devatha can be lord Krishna, Vishnu, Saraswathi, Brahma, called as eka rupa eswara as per Agama sastra. Thus, we have many forms representing one infinite God. This is for beginners who have started to read scriptures, who do pooja and so on. The second version of eswara is the lord who includes all forms of creation called Vishwa Rupa Eswara. The entire universe is Aneka Rupa Eswara. The third is the absolute description of God who does not have any attributes like form, colour and is defined in Upanishads. A God who is free from all attributes and is not available for organs of perception and generally named in the Upanishads as Brahma. Thus, we have Eka rupa eswara, Aneka rupa eswara and Arupa eswara. Our knowledge of Eswara is complete only when we know all the three versions. Brahman activates everything in the universe.

Bhagavan activates the entire universe in three stages. The first stage is Maya, Prakriti or Avyaktam. Avyaktam is unmanifested universe in inert version. All Jivas were in dormant form in the previous shristi because of Sanchita karma acquired in the previous Shristi. We don’t know about the first creation. It is called Anadi (beginningless). All Jivas including us were in dormant form then. From the Maya the first one born is Mahat tatvam or Brahma. Brahma is given the power to create the rest of the universe. Brahma is the Kala tatvam. He is the activator or director. Kala tatvam, which was in unmanifest form takes form after the creation. Sunrise and Sunset determines the day and night. Movement of Moon determines thithi, paurnami and amavasya.  Earth's revolution around the Sun takes much longer than its rotation on its axis. One complete revolution takes 365 days, or one year. The Earth revolves around the Sun because gravity keeps it in a roughly circular orbit around the Sun. The Earth's orbital path is not a perfect circle, but rather an ellipse, which means that it is like a slight oval in shape. Chaturmasya is considered inept. Sanyasi has Chaturmasya during rainy season. Grihasta has Chaturmasya every four months. During Vedic times, Chaturmasya yaga was very very popular. On our birthday, we become older by one year. Our life span is decreased. Time and tide do not wait for anyone.

The layer for universe is prapancha or Virat. Mahat or Hiranyagarba is a subtle layer, which consists of total mind total prana, which is the invisible layer of creation. Before Mahat, all were in unmanifest form. Both cause and effect fall within this principle. Brahman is beyond cause and effect. Cause and effect are subject to time. Karanam becomes Karyam and Karyam becomes Karanam. Karana eswara is Maya with borrowed consciousness. Turiya becomes the Eswara who is the Karana tatvam (creator) that blesses (creates) Hiranyagarbha. He creates Brahma. In Brahma all the 14 lokas and all living beings are there. Krishna is looked at as Turiya tatvam. Maya is like a mirror and Chaithanyam is reflected in the Maya. Eswara holds hiranyagarbha (Brahma) within himself. From Hiranyagarbha (mind principle) he produces the next stage of creation. It is like a mother who carries a baby. Likewise, Bhagawan carried hiranyagarbha with himself. Bhagavan is omniscient and omnipotent and governs the universe and all the infinite number of laws. All our research work is only for understanding the power of the numerous cells, which gives life to us and are within us. Bhagavan gives the power.

There are two powers for Maya. One is creating power and other is concealing power. In the case of Bhagavan, he employs the creating power, through creating power he creates Hiranyagarbha, and through Hiranyagarbha he creates the Universe. Bhagavan with his power creates everything and Maya Sakthi does not conceal him. He knows his real nature Turiya tatva. He knows “Ahambrahmasmi”. He doesn’t get carried away by the attraction of Maya. In the case of Jiva, Avarna Sakthi of Maya is operating and the Jiva does not know the higher nature of Brahman. This ignorance is creating problem for us. We can never get permanent security if we hold on to anything in the universe. In the case of Bhagavan, this problem is not there (4^th Ch of Gita). Bhagavan takes the avatar of a human being.

Ajopi sannavyayaatmaa bhootaanaameeshvaropi san |
prakritim svaamadhishthaaya sambhavaamyaatmamaayayaa || 6 || BG Ch IV

At the time of death, my physical body alone disintegrates. Taking a body is called Janma. Jiva can express the freewill only in a human body. Jiva requires a conducive body to express the freewill. A child cannot express the freewill. Eswara has got Maya as his body. Eswara creates this world. Eswara is the creator, maintainer and resolver of this whole creation. Human society is healthy only when there is Dharma. Dharmic way of life maintains harmony. Sometimes humanity forgets Dharma and Adharma becomes predominant. Bhagavan has to bring in his defensive mechanism. That is Eswara avatara a cosmic defensive mechanism for the benefit of humanity. The type of avatar will depend upon the type of problem. He took Narasimha avatar for killing Hiranyakasupu who is Prahaladha’s father. Prarthana becomes the cause for Avatara (material in which the body is created). Eswara can create a body instantly by means of Maya. In the case of Jivas body out of Maya, pancha boothas are created. Jiva sariram is called Bhowthiga sariram, which is made up of Pancha boothas. Eswara avatara is like sublimation. For Bhagavan there is no self-ignorance. He is not tempted by the powerful attraction of Maya.

A householder life is important for doing service to his family and being not attached to anything. Not only my likes and dislikes are taken into account but also my spouse’s likes and dislikes are important for the sake of my spouse. Serving the family, serving the parents and serving the society are meant for my spiritual growth. Serving the family without attachment is required in Grihastrasramam (6^th Chapter of Gita). We have to go to the next stage of Vanaprasta. Don’t get attached to your spouse. Do not get attached to your children. You have to serve them only. Spiritual life is a journey alone to the alone all alone. Krishna was a maha Grihasta. He has 16 thousand wives. These are all symbolic things to convey the idea that they are patthinis. None of them could cause any attachment. The message is that lord is not attracted to anyone. He made everyone of them happy. You were never emotionally dependent on any one of them because of Self-knowledge and the absence of self-knowledge alone is the cause for attachment.

Be blissful.

S.SEKAR

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

TALENT AND OPPORTUNITY

Most of us enjoy the IPL season and the matches! Time to enjoy the daily fix of nail-biting excitement. Time also to take a leaf out of the book of one of the biggest stars of the IPL. The man they call AB de Villiers!

There is an interesting little story that AB shares in his autobiography, which holds a valuable lesson for leaders. Even if you are not a cricket fan, it's a story you must hear. A story of two men. De Villiers. And French.

AB says there were several people who had a hand in his development as a cricketer. His parents, his coaches, and senior cricketers notably Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher - all of whom had a strong influence on AB. And there was one other name in that list, not quite as well known. Francois Geldenhuys. The man they called 'French'. AB says that French was the guy who backed him when he was most in need. The man who had a pivotal influence on AB's life and career. So what exactly did French do?

Flashback then to the year 2000. French was captain of the North Transvaal team in a local inter-school tournament. AB was in that team, and the coach had put him down to bat at No. 7. French spoke to the coach and said AB should be given a chance to open the innings. The coach agreed, even if somewhat reluctantly. AB grabbed the opportunity with both hands, and scored a century. That hundred resulted in AB getting picked in the South Africa Colts team. In addition, he then got picked for the South Africa schools team a year later, and so on. And on.

This begs the question. Would AB have made that kind of progress had French not spoken up? What might have happened had AB been left to languish down the order? We will never know.

However, as AB himself says, what we do know is that there are several exceptionally talented sportsmen and women out there who never get to realize their full potential, who languishes in obscurity simply because they don't get a chance to show off their skills and capabilities. AB got his chance, because someone spoke up. And that made all the difference.

That's true for sport. And for business and life too. For every rising star, we hear of in the corporate world, there are several others - equally talented, as capable - who unfortunately don't get a chance to prove their worth. Success is not just about talent. It's about talent and opportunity. When talent meets opportunity, history gets made.

If you think about it, you will see that your own success, your achievements in life, is thanks to a mentor or a boss who took a chance on you and gave you a break. A break that allowed you to show what you were really all about. Maybe they made you a General Manager - even when there were other more experienced candidates, and people were saying you were not ready for it. Or perhaps someone promoted you out-of-turn to Vice President to head a function or business, which you then rapidly grew. So even as you take pride in your talents and your achievements, take a moment to thank the men and women who gave you that opportunity. 

Now it is your turn to return the favor. Take a bet on raw talent. Bet on unripe fruit.

If you are a team leader secretly wishing you had an AB de Villiers in your team, you need to pause and think. Maybe there is already an AB in the team - but he or she hasn't got an opportunity to show what he or she is capable of! Give him or her a chance, please. Don't focus only on your established stars. Give talent an opportunity.

As a leader - and star performer - you might wish you were an AB de Villiers: scoring runs, dazzling fans and winning games. But really, you owe it to yourself to be a French. Become the kind of person who gives the young ABs in the team the opportunities to show their mettle. 

As you sit back and watch an IPL game on your TV screen, enjoy the fireworks from

A B De Villiers. Nevertheless, spare a thought for French too. He made a difference. He gave talent an opportunity. 

You should, too… 

Have a great day!

Be blissful.

S.Sekar

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

Abundant Moment of Happiness

Festivity is an integral part of our culture and tradition of this soil. It is a powerful way to program the collective sub-conscious for abundance.

Many of our loved ones are not happy people yet. How to feel on “Top of the world” when you are surrounded by people who are in an emotional abyss? We wish for a happy world, but our collective emotional maturity is far from it. These festivals bring in togetherness to create this abundance, happiness and peace.

The questions is should we do this only during festival times? Why not this be the way of our living? We may not succeed in creating a life of “Eternal Bliss” for our loved ones, but we can always create endless happy moments for them. Well what to do then?

• How about giving a surprise gift when there is no occasion that demands it?
• How about at least one hand written letter to different people expressing your love and gratitude for the role they have played in making you what you are?
• How about “just like that” phone calls to a friend to let him or her know why you cherish your relationship with him or her?
• How about a sudden visit to surprise someone, as a gesture of love?

Resolve to create at least one happy moment for at least one person, every day in your life. We will end up with festivity every day. Wake up with a sense of purpose to create a happy moment for someone today and every day. I know it is difficult to keep people happy, but is very easy to make people happy.

Momentary happiness and moments of happiness are the easiest gifts we can give our loved ones. So let us make a lifetime commitment to endeavor to create happy moments for people.

“I will get everything I want from life when I help enough other people get what they want from life” being one of the laws of life. By creating happy moments for others, your happiness becomes a natural by-product.

Till you become happy I will create enough happy moments for you – resolve today.

Wishing you Most and more

Have a wonderful day

Be blissful.

S.Sekar

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

Think “For" never “Against"

Greetings!

• Lord Krishna asked Arujna to fight for righteousness and not against Kauravas. 
• Mahatma Gandhi did not think against British, but only for Indian independence. 
• Even those who crucified him, Jesus did not think against.

By the very design of Existence, there is no spiritual help for thought processes that are “against” anything or anyone, and all spiritual assistance is available only to the thought processes that are “For” anything or anyone.

So think for yourself and never against the competition.

PLAY TO WIN AND NOT TO DEFEAT.

MODERN GAMES ARE WON IN THE MIND EVEN BEFORE THE ACTUAL GAME BEGINS.  Another living example in the contemporary world is Usain Bolt of Jamaica. He won in Athletics events in all the Olympics that he participated. Bolt is the only sprinter to win Olympic 100 m and 200 m titles at three consecutive Olympics (2008, 2012 and 2016), a feat referred to as the "triple double."He was “For” winning and you can see his famous posture, which will motivate every one.

Wishing you most and more

Have a great day and a wonderful weekend.

Be blissful.

S.Sekar

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

Mobile: +91 9566024721

Working Together Works – Aligning Capabilities

WHY YOU DO WHAT YOU DO?

Valmiki after completing the writing of the great epic Ramayana, showed it to Sita and she loved it. He showed it to his wife and she praised it. Then he showed it to Narada, the sage who keeps travelling between heaven and earth, but he was not impressed,” It is good, by Hanuman’s is better,” he said. 

“That monkey has written the Ramayana too”. Valmiki did not like this at all, and he wondered whose Ramayana was better, So he set out to find Hanuman. 

Narada directed him to the Kadali-vana, the groove of plantains , not far from Ayodhya, that Hanuman frequented. There, on seven broad leaves of the banana tree, Valmiki found inscribed Hanuman’s Ramayana. He read it and found it to be perfect. The most exquisite choice of grammar and vocabulary, meter and melody. Valmiki could not help himself. He started to cry. 

“Is it so bad?” asked Hanuman.

“No, it is so good, “said Valmiki

“Why then are you crying?” asked Hanuman. 

“Because,’ replied Valmiki, “after reading, Hanuman’s Ramayana no one will read Valmiki’s Ramayana.” Hearing this, Hanuman simply tore up the seven banana leaves on which he had inscribed his telling of Ram’s tale. “What you have done?” screamed Valmiki, watching Hanuman cast the pieces into the wind. “Now no one will read Hanuman’s Ramayana”. 

Hanuman Said, “You need your Ramayana more than I need mine. You wrote Ramayana so that the world remembers Valmiki; I wrote my Ramayana so that I remember Ram”. 

• At that moment, Valmiki realized how he had been consumed by the desire for validation through his work. 
• He had not used the work to liberate himself from the fear of invalidation.
• He had not appreciated the essence of Ram’s tale to unknot his mind. 
• His Ramayana was a product of ambition,. 
• Hanuman’s Ramayana was a product of affection. 
• That is why Hanuman’s Ramayana sounded so much better. 

Valmiki fell at the Hanuman’s feet and said, “Just as the flesh distracts us from the mind, so do words distract us from the idea. Now I realize that greater than Ram is the idea of Ram.

Valmiki wrote Ramayana to achieve fame and status, whereas Hanuman wrote Ramayana to find Rama! The intent matters!

Wishing you most & more 

Have a wonderful day & great weekend

Be Blissful.

S.SEKAR

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

WINDING UP VERSES OF BHAGAVAD GITA

Lord Krishna concluded his entire teaching with the 66^th Sloka of Chapter 18 of Bhagavad Gita. In verses, 65 and 66 Krishna gives a summary of the BG. He has summarized the sadana of Karma yoga in 65^th verse and the sadana of Gnana yoga in the 66^th verse. Gnana yoga is doing Saranagadhi as per lord Krishna. It is a total internal change or attitudinal change in a person earned by Knowledge of ‘Atma’ by doing Shravanam, Mananam and Nidhithyasanam. Understanding brings about a change in his attitude, change about the world and himself. This attitude is called Saranagadhi. This is an internal change in oneself. His values will continue and all his duties will continue depending up on his Ashrama Viz., Grihastrashrama, Sanyasashrama etc. There will be no change in his external lifestyle. The difference is only in his internal lifestyle borne out of knowledge of the Self ‘Atma’, gained by him through Gnana yoga. Before gaining knowledge, I looked upon Body, mind as owned by myself. Ahankara and mamakara (It is I and it is mine) were playing inside me. There was ownership and controllership of my Family, possession and so on. It is the ownership and controllership, which is silently changed in my mind by gaining Self-knowledge. By gaining Self-knowledge, I remove my doer ship. Upanishads say through Self-knowledge alone liberation or Moksha is possible.

The winding up slokas of Bhagavad Gita are from verse 67 to verse 78. Four qualifications are required for anyone for the study of Gita. They are Tapas (disciplined life), Bhakti (reverence towards acharya, desire to learn Gita and appreciation of the validity of his teaching), Shisrusha (doing service to learn from a Guru) and Anasuya (a non-judgmental mind). Whoever is propagating the teachings of Gita is doing the greatest service to Krishna Bhagavan.

Krishna wanted to solve the spiritual problem of Samsara caused by Raga, Moga and Soga. Attachment to people (Bhisma and Drona) and grief caused by death etc. are emotional problems. Emotional dependence is the fundamental problem of Samsara. Gita is an attempt to solve both ethical and spiritual problem of Arjuna. Arjuna was under delusion (should I fight or not) in the Kurushetra war. Krishna asks Arjuna “did the delusion gone out of your ignorance?” Through his teaching Krishna removed the delusion regarding Dharma. Delusion caused by ignorance regarding dharma is gone after hearing the teaching of Lord Krishna. Gita teaches us how to live in the world. We have to change our attitude and see Eswara everywhere and in everything (11^th Chapter). We have to see the world as the very Bhagavan’s body.

An attempt to follow the teachings of Gita to the extent possible by a person makes his family a harmonious one without any fight. Also World will be a place of harmony. For a Kshatriya, fighting a dharma yudham is Swadharma (rights). Gita says remember your responsibility and your rights. With this Sanjaya’s remarks is also over. BG teaches us the Art of Living. Essence of Gita is Liberation through Self-knowledge.

Be blissful.

S.Sekar, Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com