Arsha Vijnana Gurukulam

Growing Spiritually 1

In this series, 'Growing Spiritually', Swaminiji expounds on the 20 crucial qualities delineated precisely in the 13th Chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. These qualities when cultivated, not only leads to a better life, but is extremely beneficial and needed for the one who wants to grow spiritually. 

Discovering śhraddhā 3

One has to be able to surrender this ahaṅkārā, for self knowledge. One's habitual notions regarding the 'I' has to be surrendered and the ability to do this is śhraddhā.

Discovering śhraddhā 2

Allowing the Upaniṣad to operate upon oneself and excise this tumor of saṃsāra completely is śhraddhā. Listen to part two from this series.

Discovering śhraddhā 1

We saw in the previous episode how śhraddhā is the most important prerequisite to gaining self knowledge but how does one discover it? Listen to this series to find out.

Doubting one perishes

Bhagavad Gita says 'one who has a doubting mind perishes - Saṅśayātmā vinaśyati' and 'one endowed with śhraddhā gain self knowledge - śhraddhāvānllabhate jñānaṁ'. With śhraddhā alone one overcomes the dalliances of the mind and stays firmly committed to gaining self knowledge.

Women & Mokṣa

We see discrepancies in the hindu tradition when it comes to women. Over centuries, women have faced restrictions in religious practices and are constantly relegated to the background. However, do these long practiced customs have any basis in the scriptures? Do they have the scriptural sanction? This important talk by Swaminiji not only examines what the primary texts say about women but goes a step further to reiterate why a women is primed and geared for mokṣa.

Svarājya

Svarājya - self sovereignty is the promise of the Upanishad studying this knowledge. It occurs in the 1st chapter, the śīkṣāvallī of the Taittirīya Upanishad. Adi Sankara talks about it in depth in his bhāṣya and this episode elucidates its meaning beautifully.

Sthita prajña

How does the Bhagavad Gita look at itself? How does a jnani see the world? This inspiring talk expounds on how the lakṣaṇa (description) of a jnani becomes a sadhana (practice) for the people aspiring to be a Jnani.  
 

What is Viparita Bhavana? Part 2

Continuing with the topic of Viparita Bhavana (the habitual patterns), Swaminiji expounds beautifully on how to recognize and manage them so that one grows into an appreciative, non-complaining, non-demanding, contented and loving concious being.

What is Viparita Bhavana? Part 1

How to recognize and deal with the habitual patterns that come in the way of assimilating the knowledge? This talk examines the wisdom of the Upanishad in the light of modern pschycology to come out of this impass.