Arsha Vijnana Gurukulam

Maitri Upaniṣad 7

Sage Śākāyanya begins to teach King Bṛhadratha exactly what was unfolded to him by his teacher -Lord Maitri, thus, displaying the highly effective, alive and sacred tradition of the Guru-Sishya parampara. This episode, by way of another story, gives us three important qualities to cultivate for clarity after the exposure of this knowledge. 

Meditation - Freedom from Anger

Practice this meditation to allow yourself space to examine any deep seated anger and heal from it. Understand that anger is but an unfulfilled desire and build the emotional maturity to surrender all that is not in your control.
Disclaimer: Please do not listen to this mediation while driving or operating machinery.
 

Maitri Upaniṣad 6

Continuing with King Bṛhadratha's monologue, mantras 5 and 6, talk about the finitude of being an enjoyer, a bhokta, and the impermanence of the objects of enjoyment, bhoga. This episode gives you an understanding of what Saṃsāra entails. Learn a beautiful prayer to remove all obstacles within and without, to help yourself in your study of the Śāstras through a Guru.
 
The Prayer:
oṃ āpyāyantu mamāṅgāni vākprāṇaścakṣuḥśrotramatho balamindriyāṇi ca sarvāṇi.sarvam brahmopaniṣadam mā’haṃ brahmanirākuryāṃ mā mā brahmanirākaroda nirākaraṇamastva nirākaraṇam me’stu.tadātmani nirate ya upaniṣatsu dharmāstemayi santu te mayi santu.oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ
 

Maitri Upaniṣad 5

As one studies and gains the knowledge, viveka and vairāgya is gained. Sage Śākāyanya pleased with King Bṛhadratha penance, tells him to ask for any boon, however, the king launches into a monologue on the reality of the gross, mental and subtle bodies, displaying immense viveka and vairāgya. These mantras serve to give one instant vairāgya.  

Maitri Upaniṣad 4

King Bṛhadratha's austerity results in the manifestation of a teacher, as the great Sage Śākāyanya. In this episode, we begin Swami Rama Tirtha's erudite commentary on this Upaniṣad, giving us a deeper understanding on what vairāgya and tapas means and why titikṣā, forbearance is important for Self-knowledge. 

Maitri Upaniṣad 3

This Upaniṣad asks us to turn to karma yoga right away by spiritualizing all actions. It lays great emphasis on the importance on being contemplative on the Self. It asks us to meditate on prana, the life force and vayu, air, to understand the sarvātmābhava, the interconnected whole. Verse 2 then goes on to illustrate a beautiful story of King Bṛhadratha, who desirous of a Guru, renounces his kingdom and performs severe austerity. Find out why vinaya- humility, and vidya- knowledge, go hand in hand and why humility is required for self-knowledge.  

Maitri Upaniṣad 2- Introduction

Maitri Upaniṣad appears in the Krishna yajurveda right in the middle. This Upanishad is unique in which, it is the only Upanishad to use the word Śūnya, hence it is also popular among the buddhist and among the proponents of the Sāṅkhya philosophy. Dive into this text and listen to the exposition of Verse 1.

Meditation- body, mind, breath objectivity

Practice this meditation to assimilate the truth of yourself as ever free, cultivate a healthy objectivity towards the body-mind-sense complex to see you are but that awareness alone.
Disclaimer: Please do not listen to this mediation while driving or operating machinery.
 
 
 

Maitri Upaniṣad 1- What is an Upaniṣad?

With the Guru's blessings, we begin a new text called the Maitri Upaniṣad. This episode is a brief introduction on the meaning of the word Upaniṣad, the reason for studying it, and what it reveals.

Meditation for Letting Go

Accustomed to severe subjectivity, one is mired in the same cycles of pain, sorrow, guilt, hurt and anger. Practice this meditation to cultivate a loving objectivity, and to understand the nature of things in order to finally let go.
Disclaimer: Please do not listen to this mediation while driving or operating machinery.