Arsha Vijnana Gurukulam

After hearing Asvalayana's erudition and heartfelt request, Lord Brahmaji expresses three must have qualifications required for this knowledge. They are shraddhā (trust in the Shastra & Guru), Bhakti (devotion) and Dhyanām (meditation). So, what does it mean to have shraddhā, Bhakti and what is Dhyanām? Listen to find out!

Understanding the masculine and feminine principle in the Hindu mythology is paramount to understanding creation and thereby understanding ourselves. 
This short talk by Swamini Svatmavidyananda-ji is from the Bioneers Radio Series podcast aired in 2015.

In this beautiful verse, Sage Asvalayana approaching the teacher Brahmaji, asks for the most exalted knowledge. This episode explains what Maya is and additionally explains the law of karma and falsifies the wrong theory that one has to exhaust all vasanas (latent tendencies) before one gains moksha. Listen to understand this in detail. 

Why is the knowledge of Self the most exalted? What is grace and how does it operate?  Listen and Learn!
 

The churning of the ocean is a story in the hindu mythology which is recognized for its highly allegorical spiritual significance. It is a story where the Devas, the divine celestial beings, unite with the Ausras, not so divine beings, in order to churn the ocean (mind) so as to obtain Amrit, the elixir of immortality (moksha). Not only is this story visually captivating, listening to it helps one grow in clarity and understanding of oneself.

The  four-fold qualification of viveka (discernment), vairāgya (dispassion), śamādiṣaṭkasampatti (mature and focused mind), and mumukṣutvam (desire for moksha), required in a student of Vedanta are explained in detail in this talk. 

With so many forms of mediations, one can get overwhelmed with the choices. This talk delineates and explains meditation according to Vedanta and how it differs to the Buddhist tradition. What is Vedantic meditation? How do I practice it? Listen to find out!

As Kaivalya Upaniṣad comes from the Atharva Veda, it begins with the invocatory verse from this Veda. Kevala means 'only', thus, having studied the Upaniṣad one 'gains the only thing' that is there to know, Brahman. This Upaniṣad opens with the exalted sage Ashvalayana meeting his teacher none other than Brahmaji, the creator of the universe.

What does it mean to be a sanyāsī, a renunciate? And what is the significance of the color orange? Listen to find out! 

The problem with the quest is not the desire itself but the identification of oneself as a permanently desiring person. The Upaniṣad reveals the truth of oneness which removes the desiring individual and as this Upaniṣad too will reveal this truth is many beautiful verses.