Continuing his recap from last week of mantras 1 and 2 in Part 2, Cantos 3, Swamiji reminded us that this third and final section of Katho Upanishad deals with Atmavidya, Brahmavidya Sadhanani and preparation for Brahmavidya. Describing the role of Brahman as the Creator, Swamiji says, Brahman is the keeper of law and order. […]
In today’s class, Swamiji continued verses 11 to 15, of the third section of the second chapter of Kathopanishad. The subject of these verses are nature of paramatma, jivatma/paramtma aikyam and benefits of jivatma paramatma aikyam. Swamiji continued to mention the common features of surya prakasha (sun light) and chaithanyam or atma: They both […]
Continuing his overview of Part 2, Cantos 2, Swamiji says Yama promised to discuss “after death” of an Agyani as well as Brahmaswarupam a little more in mantra # 6. In Mantra 7, Yama describes the endless process of birth and rebirth or Samsara an Agyani has to go through. He describes Samsara as meaning […]
Continuing his overview of Part 2, Cantos 2, Mantra # 5 again, Swamiji says, Atma alone blesses life. Sukshma Sharira allows this body to live. Prana is within Sukshma Sharira. As such, superficially, it appears as if Prana is the basis for life. Yama says, both Prana and Sukshma Sharira are Jadam (inanimate) as such […]
Mantras 1 and 2 Continued: Continuing his overview of Part 2, Cantos 2, Swamiji says Vedanta has four stages of evolution. The four stages of Vedanta are: First stage is recognizing the separation of Body from Consciousness. This is also called Atma – Anatma Viveka. To be aware of this separation may take a long […]
Starting Part 2, Cantos 2, Swamiji says Yama continues his discourse on Atmaswarupa. Atma is very subtle and understanding it is not easy. To further enhance Nachiketas’ understanding of the subject Yama is continuing his commentary on the subject, however, from a somewhat different perspective. In Mantra # 1, comparing our body to a city […]
In Part 2, Cantos 1, Shlokas 11 through 14 respectively, Swamiji continued the discussion of the Atman or Consciousness as Jivatma and Paramatma. He says shlokas 5 through 10 taught us that the Atma is everything. Anatma, signifying name and form, in reality, does not exist. Giving analogy of jewelry, Swamiji says, from the one […]
In Part 2, Cantos 1, Shlokas 9, 10 and 11 respectively, Swamiji continued the discussion of the Atman or Consciousness. He says the one Atma or original consciousness (OC) is reflected in everything. This reflection or manifestation depends on the reflecting medium. Thus, some are bright and others are dull. One who is absorbed in […]
Discussing part 2 Cantos 1, Shlokas 6,7, 9 and 8, Swamiji continued the discussion of the Atman or Consciousness. The subtle universe was born out of Causal universe (the seed). The Causal universe was always there even before creation. He compares the Causal Universe to the state before the big bang. Thus: Karana Sharira (Causal)>Sukshma […]
On July 19, 2015, the Vedantic Discussion Group of HTGC listened to 31st lecture of Katha Upanishad by Swami Paramarthananda. This lecture covered slokas 5 and 6 of the first carnto of second part of the Upanishads. Ram Ramaswamy of the group captured the lecture and the discussion followed. If any body else has a […]