1 an exploration in universality and confidentiality
TRANSCRIPT
1
An Exploration in Universality and Confidentiality
New Testament Gospels—Matthew, Mark,
Luke, John Acts of the Apostles Letters: Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon Hebrews James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude Revelation
Four books are enough1. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the
land of Egypt,out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods
before me.2. You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the
form ofanything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth
beneath,or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow
down tothem or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a
jealous God,punishing children for iniquity of parents, to the third and
fourthgeneration of those who reject me, but showing steadfast
love tothe thousandth generation of those who love me and
keep mycommandments.3. You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the
Lord yourGod, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his
name.4. Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy . . .
The Ten Commandments
5. Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
6. You shall not murder (kill).7. You shall not commit adultery.8. You shall not steal.9. You shall not bear false witness against your
neighbor.10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house;
you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
—Exodus 20:2–17
Problems with Biblical scriptures
As the soldiers and the mob tauntedthe dying Jesus, he prayed: “Father,
forgivethem, for they know not what theydo.” (Luke 23:34) Finally, after hours ofunbearable pain, he cried out, “My God,my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”(Matthew 27:46) Then he died.
Eucharist
“While they were eating, Jesustook a loaf of bread, and after blessing it hebroke it, gave it to the disciples, and said,‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ Then he tooka cup, and after giving thanks he gave it tothem, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you, forthis is my blood of the covenant, which ispoured out for many for the forgiveness ofsins.” (Matthew 26:26–28)
A Call for Humility
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed
are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who
hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be fi lled.Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed
are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for
they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted
for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of God.—Matthew 5:3–10
St Augustine
“Thou has made us for thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee.”
He said that God must be our highest interest, and when that is the case then the next in line is our soul, then our body, then external things. We attain peace, then, only when all things are in their proper place.
Popularity of Protestantism
Stressed direct relationship with God
Used vernacular languagesFocussed on direct reading of the
Bible with no intermediariesEndless interpretations – 50,000
sects and more
Christianity – Social Contributioins
Catholicism: Jesuit Schools – Modern
UniversitiesProtestantism:The Work Ethic of AmericaThe Downplaying or Denial of
Celibacy
The Spiritual Fall
Spiritual Hierarchy:God <- God’s words <- God’s priests
Reformation: Reject Representatives of God
(Scientific)Enlightenment: Reject the Word of God
Evolutionary Naturalism: Reject God himself
The Spiritual Fall
Francis Xavier (1506–1552), proudly described his mission method in one of his letters that he sent to his superior Ignatius:
“I would gather all the boys of the village and go to the place where they had made and worshipped the idols; and then the dishonour heaped on the devil was greater than the honour paid to him by the parents and relations of the boys at the time when they made and venerated the idols. For the boys would take the idols and break them to tiny pieces, and then they would spit on them and trample them under foot and do other things which perhaps it is
better not to record in detail, thus showing their contempt for the one who had the impertinence to demand the veneration of their fathers.”
Three Approaches
Condemnation: Eg XavierIrrelevance:Fulfillment: egJ. N. Farquhar (1861–1929) Outline of the Religious
Literature of India is a comprehensive,sympathetic, and widely acknowledged survey of
Hindu texts. In The Crown of Hinduism, he explains the relationship between Christianity and Hinduism in terms of fulfillment, a view that was widely adopted by other
Christian writers
The Spiritual Fall
Spiritual Hierarchy:God <- God’s words <- God’s priests
Reformation: Reject Representatives of God
(Scientific)Enlightenment: Reject the Word of God
Evolutionary Naturalism: Reject God himself
Chronology
988: 1054: Catholic and Orthodox
churches excommunicated each other
& Sadhana (bhakti)established through BG & IshoSadhya & Sadhana explained
through NoD & NoI
Chronology
The fourcountries with the largest
Muslim communities are Indonesia,
Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh—all in Asia.
Chronology
Sunnis are majority MuslimsShias form a majority inIran and are represented by
large communities in Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, and India
The Western expansion of Islam:
The invasion of Spain in 711 and the spread of the Moors into southern France, where they were repelled by Frankish ruler Charles Martel in 732. Spain itself was finally recaptured only in 1492, when the army of King Ferdinand of Aragon and Queen Isabel of Castile retook Granada.
The Crusades, beginning in 1095 and lasting until 1291, pitted Muslims and Christians in battles
The invasions of Austria and Croatia by the Ottoman Turks in the late 17th century also portrayed Turkish Muslims as barbaric and uncivilized.
Muhammad Ibd Abd Allah
- 570 - Born, - 595 - Married to Khadija, - 610 - Quran revelation begins, - 619 - Hijra to Taaif, death of uncle Abu
Talib & Khadija, - 622 - On to Medina with Abu Bakr, 624 -
won at Badr, - 625 - lost at Uhud, - 630 - regained Mecca, - 632 - Died
Terms
ulama - learned ones, umma - community,shirk - associating anything with
God, tafsir - Quranic explanation,Sharia - The collection of religiouslaws and duties known.
Quran
114 chapters (suras) comprised of verses (ayas)
Surat al-Fattiha: first sura of the Quran
Ya-sin: 36th sura recited at deathThe longest chapter contains286 verses, the shortest only
three.
Terms
ulama - learned ones, umma - community,shirk - associating anything
with God, tafsir - Quranic explanation,
Caliphs
Death of the prophet Muhammad: 632First caliph: Abu Bakr: 632–634Second caliph: Umar ibn al-Khattab: 634–
644Third caliph: Uthman ibn Aff an: 644–656Fourth caliph: Ali ibn Abi Talib: 656–661Fifth Caliph: Muawiyah -Umayyad dynasty
Followers of Ali – Shias All others - Sunnis
Buddha
Today Buddhism is the majority religion in Thailand, Mongolia, Cambodia, Myanmar (formerly Burma), Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Tibet, Laos, Vietnam, Japan, Taiwan, and Singapore.
The majority of the people in one U.S. state—Hawaii—is Buddhist.
Buddhism
Buddha: c 563-483 BCLife recorded 500 years after
death.20 – Married Yashodara, son
Rahula29 – Charioteer Channa took for a
ride35 – Severe austerity
The Eightfold Path
1. Right opinion2. Right intentions3. Right speech4. Right conduct5. Right livelihood6. Right eff ort7. Right mindfulness8. Right concentration
Buddhism
The Buddha prescribed Five Precepts, :
1. To refrain from taking life.2. To refrain from taking what is not
given.3. To refrain from sexual misconduct.4. To refrain from false speech.5. To refrain from intoxicating things
that cloud the mind.
Tri-Ratna of Buddhism
A Tibetan proverb sums upthe Three Jewels: “The
Buddha is the great physician; the dharma is the remedy; thesangha is the nurse who administers the remedy.”
Total world rejection
It would be better . . . if your penis had entered the mouth of a terrifying and poisonous snake than a woman’s vagina. . . . It would
be better . . . if your penis had entered a charcoal pit, burning, blazing, aflame, than a woman’s vagina.
Vinaya III.20–23, attributed to the Buddha
Spread of Buddhism
Ashoka 270 BCE.Banned animal sacrifice, became
vegetarianAsoka’s missionaries went as far west
as Syria, Egypt, and the Greek worldMilinda in 155 BCE – Nagarsena
conversation
Buddhism – Vaishnava perspective
"Lord Buddha incarnates at a time when the peo ple are most materialistic, and he preaches commonsense religious princi ples."
Buddha Predicted?
Then, in the beginning of Kali-yuga, the Lord will appear as Lord Buddha, the son of Aïjanä, in the province of Gayä, just for the purpose of deluding those who are envious of the faithful theist.
Buddhism divisions
Theravada (Hinayana): Older, Arhat is the ideal (3 lives)
Mahayana: Later “revelations” after several centuries, Boddhisattva is the ideal
Vajrayana: 7th century AD – Hevaraja Tantra
Zen: No philosophical baggage, just experience
Sikhism history
1469: Birth of Guru Nanak1500: Enlightenment during
a three day disappearance 1539: Death after travelling
throughout India and also to Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
Sikhism history
The 10 Gurus of Sikhism(1469–1539) Guru Nanak(1504–52 became guru 1539) Guru Angad(1479–74 became guru 1552) Guru Amar Das(1534–81 became guru 1574) Guru Ram Das(1563–1606 became guru 1581) Guru Arjan(1595–1644 became guru 1606) Guru Hargobind(1630–61 became guru 1644) Guru Har Rai(1656–64 became guru 1661) Guru Har Krishan(1621–75 became guru 1664) Guru Tegh Bahadur(1666–1708 became guru 1675) Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Granth Sahib
1,430 pages long and is written entirely in verse. It is the longest book of rhymed poetry in the world.
Gurmukhi script, a script devised specifically for the purpose of recording the gurus’ words.
Guru Granth SahibThe Sikh Gurus(1469–1539) Guru Nanak: 974 hymns(1439–1552) Guru Angad: 62 couplets(1552–74) Guru Amar Das: 907
hymns(1574–81) Guru Ram Das: 638 hymns(1581–1606) Guru Arjan: 2,218
hymns(1664–75) Guru Tegh Bahadur: 59
hymns and 56 couplets(added by Guru Gobind Singh (1675–
1708)
Hindu BhaktasKabir: 292 hymns and 243 coupletsFarid: 4 hymns and 130 coupletsNamdev: 60 hymnsRavidas: 41 hymns
Jaidev: 2 hymnsBeni: 3 hymnsTrilochan: 4 hymnsParmananda: 1 hymnSadhana: 1 hymnRamananda: 1 hymn
Islamic SufisDhanna: 4 hymnsPipa: 1 hymnSain: 1 hymnBhikhan: 2 hymnsSur Das: 2 hymnsSundar: 1 hymnMardana: 3 coupletsSatta and Balvand: 1 hymnBhatts: 123 swaiyyas (quatrains)
Sikhism
The fundamental principle of Sikhism is, “There is only One
Being and Truth is its Name”—in Punjabi, Ikk oan kar sat nam.
Three Principles: Seva, Langar, Sangat
Foundation of Khalsa
Guru Gobind Singh inherited at age 9Two Swords: Piri & Miri
Sikhism history
Amogha: Çréla Prabhupäda, in Sikhism there was Guru Nanak and Guru Granth Sahib. Is that actually a real scripture, and was Guru Nanak actually a devotee? Or is that not correct?
Prabhupäda: They created a system of religion which can include Hindus and Muslim. That was at the time needed. But that is not a good system of religion.
Blend of Hinduism & Islam
Accept Karma & Reincarnation, chanting of holy names, goal of liberation,
Reject Caste System, Idol Worship, Authority of Vedas, Renunciation
Blend of Hinduism & Islam
Polemic: “you are wrong”Irenic: “both of us have so
many similarities”Apologetic: “I am right”
Ishopanishad OverviewLent (period beginning 40 weekdays before
Easter): an annual season of fasting and penitence in preparation for Easter.
Good Friday (Friday before Easter): the commemoration of the crucification of Christ.
Easter Sunday (Sunday after Good Friday): celebrates Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead.
Ascension Day (40th day after Easter): celebrates the ascension, or rising of Christ to heaven.
Pentecost (seventh Sunday after Easter): commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples.
Invocation Overview
SPoG is the Complete Absolute Truth (p1)
Mat world is complete (p2)Human form offers complete facility
(p3)Sense gratification – illusory
completeness (p4)Dev service – real completeness (p5)
Isho 1 Overview
Glory of Vedic knowledge (p1-2)How the Lord is the proprietor of
everything (p3-4)Eg of one’s quota in nature (p5)Eg of quota in human possession of
the earth (p6-8)Eg of quota in human diet (9-10)Live according to ishavasya (11)`
Isho 2 Overview
How karma-bandhana causes death (p1)Human life offers liberation through
akarma (p2)Vedas lead ultimately to akarma (p3)Begin by bringing God into sense-
gratificatory life (p4)Wo God, everything is in vain (p5)Make all atruisms into karma-yoga (p6)`
Mantra 3 Overview
Who is a demon? (p1)Who is a soul-killer? (p2)Liberate the soul, don’t kill it (p3-6) If don’t use higher facilities of human form, then
have to live worse than animals in this life and go to hell in the next (p3)
Even failure in liberating the soul brings glorious result, what then to speak of success (p4)
Modern “politicians” as demons (p5) Solve all problems forever (p6)
Gita 4.18
1. Karma: 4 meanings:= Any activity in general= Specific type of activity: fruitive activity= Reaction to action= System of action-reaction Akarma: 2 meanings: = Inactivity= Activity that brings no reaction
Gita 4.18
1. Karmany akarma yah pashyed (akarma: no karmic reaction)
See in external activity, no karmic reactionEg. Arjuna’s fighting leads to no karmic
reaction2. Akarmani ca karma yah (akarma: no
external activity)See in external inactivity, karmic reactionEg. Arjuna’s silent meditating leads to
karmic reaction (3.6)
Who is an asura?
Asura is not just a species, but also a mentality
16th chp description of demoniac nature
Who is an atma-ha?
Use of figurative expressions
Mukhya-vritti (abhida-vritti) vs Gauna vritti (lakshana-vritti) (eg. 2.69)
Kill soul’s real life (11.20.17)
Gauna-vritti should supplement, not supplant, mukhya vrtti
Eg. Bhaktivinoda Thakura: Chaitanya Shikshamrita
Eg. Vedanta Deshika: Ramayana commentary
Eg. Madhavacharya: Three levels of meaning:
1. Literal 2. Ethical 3. Metaphorical
Prabhupada uses gauna-vritti
The Hare Krishna Explosion – Hayagriva Pr: “We are also in a kind of chariot with
Krishna. That chariot is this material body, and within the heart Lord Krishna is present as the Supersoul, witnessing all our activities.” Paraphrasing Srila Prabhupada, the author further writes, “He then reminds us that we should never fret when confronted with adversities, for we should always know that Lord Krishna is driving our chariot.”
Prabhupada uses gauna-vritti
Symbolically, mother Devaki's constant fear of Kamsa was purifying her. A pure devotee should always fear material association, and in this way all the asuras of material association will be killed, as the sad-garbhasuras were killed by Kamsa. It is said that from the mind, Marici appears. In other words, Marici is an incarnation of the mind. Marici has six sons: Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada and Matsarya (lust, anger, greed, illusion, madness and envy). The Supreme Personality of Godhead appears in pure devotional service. This is confirmed in the Vedas: bhaktir evainam darsayati. Only bhakti can bring one in contact with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared from the womb of Devaki, and therefore Devaki symbolically represents bhakti, and Kamsa symbolically represents material fear. When a pure devotee always fears material association, his real position of bhakti is manifested, and he naturally becomes uninterested in material enjoyment. When the six sons of Marici are killed by such fear and one is freed from material contamination, within the womb of bhakti the Supreme Personality of Godhead appears. Thus the seventh pregnancy of Devaki signifies the appearance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. After the six sons Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada and Matsarya are killed, the Sesa incarnation creates a suitable situation for the appearance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In other words, when one awakens his natural Krsna consciousness, Lord Krsna appears. (SB 10.2.8 p)
How humans abuse higher intelligence
"The human being is endowed with a higher, advanced stage of consciousness for
getting relief from the existence of material miseries, but due to his
ignorance he thinks that his higher consciousness is meant for advancing in the
material comforts of life. Thus his intelligence is misused in the animal
propensities—eating, sleeping, defending and mating—instead of spiritual
realization.">>> Ref. VedaBase => SB 3.10.26
Mantra 4 OverviewAT can’t be understood by speculation
(p1)Revelation helps us und God and his
energies (p2)Energies nondifferent yet different (p3)As we are limited, we can und unlimited
only thru his revelation (p4-5)Play your part and you will be given
und (p6-7)
Brahman vs mat world
Is matter: Different from brahman?Part of brahman?Nonexistent?Totality of brahman?
Achintyatva
Achintya vs anirvachaniya Conceive the
inconceivable for our own purification
Bhakti is Radharani
The Progressive Revelation of Bhakti
Ramanuja: Continuous recollection of God Love is a kind of knowledge, bhakti – sadhana and phala
Madhva: Strong emotion of love accompanied by knowledge of God’s majesty
Nimbarka: Special kind of love, sadhana & phala
Vallabha: Love, Maryada and Pushti
The Progressive Revelation of Bhakti
Jiva Goswami: Bhakti is the essence of God’s int potency of bliss, which is his most important potency.
Gaudiya Vaishnavism: Unparalleled sweetness
sadhu-saìga, nama-kirtana, bhagavata-
shravanamathura-vasa, shri-murtira shraddhaya
sevana
sadhu-saìga, nama-kirtana, bhagavata-
shravanamathura-vasa, shri-murtira shraddhaya
sevana
Mantra 5 overview
Supreme must be inconceivable (p1)
How AT is far yet near? (p2) The Science of Deity Worship
(p3-6) Nirguna yet saguna (p7) How the Lord pervades
everything yet is separate (p8-9)
Mantra 6 Overview
Kanishtha a (p1)Madhyama a (p2)Uttama a (p3)Oneness – False vs Real (p4-7)
Adhikara and adhikari
Level Faith Knowledge
Uttama Yes Yes
Madhyama
Yes No
Kanishtha No No
Oneness – False vs Real (p4-7)
Bodily oneness is false (p4)
Accept bodily diversity, realize spiritual unity
A comparison of Socio-economic systems Capitalism
Allows wealth to determine position and powerWealthy exploit the needy.Cutthroat competition and insecurityEverybody is greedy for money, so everybody is dissatisfied.
CommunismImposes artificial material equality Talented are not rewardedPeople become lethargicMost people live in scarcity and so stay dissatisfied
Caste sysIntegrates absolute spiritual equality of all people with their relative material diversitiesAs everyone is engaged according to their natures, they work diligently and happily and society gets max benefit
The Basic Principle Underlying Varnashrama
Spiritually everyone is equal
Materially everyone is different
Oneness – False vs Real (p4-7)
Anupashyati – see acc to shastra (p5)
Shastra has one message (p6)
Liberated person’s vision is truly beneficial (p7)
Mantra 7 OverviewOneness between energy and
energetic eg. fire (p1)Oneness is in quality, not quantity eg.
Drop - ocean (p2)Oneness in interest brings enjoyment
eg. Family, nation (p2-3)Separate interests cause shoka &
moha (p4)Become one in interest with God (p5-6)
Oneness
Realizing our Oneness in quality with
God brings detachment Subordination in quantity
to God brings humility
Bhagavan & his shakti
Eg. 1. Fire and light Eg. 2 Sun: Sun god – Krishna; the fiery radiance around its orb –
Svarupa-shakti; its rays – tatastha shakti; sun’s reflection – bahiranga shakti
Bhagavan & his shakti
Achintyabhedabheda eg. “Fire burns” Fire same as yet different
from the power of burning
Rasa Dance
Unity amidst individuality No utopia
Mantra 8 OverviewAkayam - Unembodied & Ashnaviram –
Without veins (p1-2)Shukram – Omnipotent (p2-4)Yathatathyato arthan… - Fulfiller of
desires (p5-6) Paribhuh – Supreme (p7)Svayambhuh – Self-sufficient (p8)Shuddham – Antiseptic & Apapa-
Viddham - Prophylactic (p8)
Na tasya pratima.. Svetasvatra Upanishad (4.19) is “No one can grasp Him above,
across, or in the middle. There is no likeness of Him. His name is Great Glory.”
na tasya pratima: Baladeva V’s translation: "Nothing can compare with the
transcendental form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead."
Understanding the Maha-Vakyas
prajïänaà brahma: “Brahman is consciousness.” (Aitareya Upaniñad, 3.1.3)
ahaà brahmäsmi: “I am Brahman.” (Båhad-äraëyaka Upaniñad, 1.4.10)
tat tvam asi: “That thou are.” (Chändogya Upaniñad, 6.8.7)
ayam ätmä brahma: “This Self is Brahman.” (Mäëòükya Upaniñad, 1.2)
Vadanti verse: Passing the Referent
Absolute Truth
Bhagavan
Paramatma
Brahman
Imperishable Reciprocal Supplier
Qualification + Bestowal Karmavada vs Daivavada Be the most daring
beggar
Shuddham
Svakiya vs Parakiya Chaya-gopis – Jiva
Goswami
Ishopnishad flow
Mantras 2-3: consequences of living in harmony and disharmony with ishavasya principle
Mantras 9-11, 12-14: Elaboration of same theme
Mantra 9 Overview
Why vidya < avidya? (p1)Avidyam upasate (p2-4)Vidyayam ratah (p4-9) Godless modern education (p4) Veda-vada-ratah (p5-8) Mayayapahrita jnanah (p9)
Avidyam upasate (p2-4)
Forgetfulness of ishavasya principle is avidya
The profitless pursuit of sense gratification is the worship of avidya
Modern godless education (p4)
To be in ignorance is bad To be in ignorance and to claim to
be in knowledge is worse eg. Non-theistic scientists
To be in ignorance and to claim to be in knowledge and to condemn real knowledge as ignorance is worst eg Atheistic scientists
Veda-vada-ratah (p5-8)
Gita (2.42-43, 9.20-21) karma kandis
Mistake side issue in Vedas as their ultimate purpose
Misguide people, misinterpret Vedas: tato bhuya iva te tamoh
Mayayapahrita Jnanah (p9)
Brahmavadis (12.4-5): don’t know about Bhagavan
Mayavadis (9.11-12): Imagine Bhagavan to be a temporary manifestation of brahman
Sanatana dharma – God’s personal descent – Unique boon made into unique bane by imposters
Mantra 10 Overview
Vidya leads to desirable qualities (p1-2)
Avidya leads to undesirable qualities (p2-5)
Only a dhira can teach vidya (p6-9)
Avidya leads to undesirable qualities
(p2-5) Students – no amanitvam, no
shaucam (p2) Students grow up to be:1. Scientists - no ahimsa (p2)2. Pseudo-religionists – no
adambhitvam (p2)3. Nationalists (p4-5)
The American Paradox – Dr David Myers
Since 1960, ·The divorce rate has doubled. ·The teen suicide rate has tripled. ·The recorded violent crime rate has
quadrupled. ·The prison population has quintupled. ·The percentage of babies born to unmarried
parents has sextupled. ·Depression has soared—to ten times the pre–
World War II level.
Mantra 11 OverviewAmrutam ashnute: Immortality is impossible
materially eg. Hiranyakashipu (p1-5)Immortality possible only by following Krishna’s
teachings (p6-14)Krishna comes to make us immortal (p6-7)Sense gratification binds us to mortality; so
restrict it (p8-9)Avidyaya mrtyum tirtva – Harmonize mat needs
with sp adv thru apara dharma (p10-11)Vidyaya amrutam ashnute – Attain immortaliy
thru para dharma (p12-14)
Kaitava Dharma
Anything short of pure devotional service can satisfy neither Krishna nor the soul.
The Glory of Bhakti
Karma – Abuse senses
Karma – Abuse senses for mat
purposeNatural, but
binding
Bhakti – Use material senses for spiritual purpose
Natural & Liberating
Jnana – Reject senses for either
mat or sp purposeNon-binding, but
unnatural
Mantra 12 OverviewEven demigods and rishis
misunderstand the Abs Truth to be impersonal (p1-3)
Demigod worshipers stay in the dark material world (p4-7)
Impersonalists who mislead people go the darkest regions of hell (p7-10)
Why Upanishads are difficult to understand?
Verse no
Asambhuti
Sambhuti
12 Demigods Impersonal Abs
13 Anything other than SPoG
SPoG
14 Knowledge of mat w
Knowledge of SPoG
Why Demigod Worship?
Service for materially-minded devotees
Multi-level options for spiritual advancement acc to one’s modes
Expression of Krishna’s ultimate non-enviousness and compassion
Dangers of Mayavada
Mayavada is a dangerous hodgepodge khichadi made with:
Grains of impersonalism drawn from the Upanishads
Sugar of social service taken from Christianity
Spice of nationalism taken from the Indian Independence Movement
Envy of Krishna from the hearts of the conditioned souls
History of Mayavada
Upanishads as a stepping stone in the Vedic masterplan
Where impersonalists are right – and where they go wrong
Mat forms and varieties -> mat desirees ->mat miseries
Vayavaharika : anything that talks about form and variety
Paramarthika: anything that talks about formlessness Medieval spread of Mayavada Modern boost and twist to Mayavada Disasters caused by Mayavada
Disasters caused by Mayavada
Deprives soul of his natural higher taste of bhakti
Makes mat life appear more attractive than spiritual life
Mantra 13 OverviewDhira exposes folly of “all paths lead to the
same goal” (p1)Dhira teaches shastra: different paths lead to
different goals (p2-4)Accept Krishna as sambhavat? (p5-8) Yes? Arjuna. Kills so-called relatives to
satisfy Krishna (p9) No? “People are my god” or “I am God”
(p10-12)Hearing from dhira helps one and all to attain
perfection (p13-16)
Mantra 14 OverviewVinashena: Nothing – not even science –
can make this world deathless (p1-2)Sambhutim ca vinasham ca: Vedas give
info about death-filled and death-free world (p3-6)
Sambhutyamrutam ashnute: Only by surr to Krishna can we transcend death (p7-9)
Give up misconceptions to attain immortality (p9-11)
Living vs non-living
Living Non-livingBirth CreationGrowth Deteriortati
onMaintenance
Destruction
ReproductionDeteriorationDeath
Mantra 15 OverviewPushann: Krishna is the basis of
Brahman and Paramtma(p1)Satya dharmaaya drishtaye: How
Krishna reveals Himself beyond the brahman (p2-5)
How the ultimate revelation of Bhagavan comes only by bhakti (p6-10)
Bhagavan is the ultimate revelation
Process Level of God realizaiton
1 Sankhya AT as matter (Elements of m.w)
2 Jnana AT wo potencies (Brahman) (only sat aspect)
3 Yoga AT with only mat potencies (Paramatma) (sat-cit)
4 Bhakti AT with mat and sp potencies (Bhagavan) (sat-cit-ananda)
AT with only mat potencies
Bhagavan is the ultimate revelation
Process How it leads to bhagavan thru bhakti
1 Sankhya 7.4-7, 18.55
2 Jnana 7.19
3 Yoga 6.14-15, 6.47
4 Karma 3.9, 3.30
AT with only mat potencies
Mantra 16 OverviewVyuha rashmin: Beyond Brahman is
Bhagavan (p1-2)Kalyana-tama: Bhagavan is the most
auspicious realization (p3-4)Pusann – How the Lord maintains the
devotees and everyone and everything else (p5)
So ‘ham asmi – How the living entity is one yet different from the Lord(p6-7)
The favor of the Lord sought by this prayer is fulfilled in pure devotional service (p8)
Mantra 17 OverviewThe material body is a foreign dress that must be
given up (p1-3)The best way to give up the body is by
surrendering to the Lord – not by going to the brahmajyoti (p4-5)
The importance of the last thought(p6-7)Krishna never forgets our service to Him (8-9)Krishna’s mercy is ever-available thru dev service
(p10-11)Bhag elaborates this verse – and all other verses
(p12)Prepare for death by dev practice (p13-15)
Mantra 18 Overview
How obstacles on the spiritual path originate (p1)
Achieving perfection – the gradual way and the quick way (p2-4)
How the omnipotent Lord guides a devotee (4-8)
Ishopanishad Overview1. Invocation and Verse 1 to 3: Isavasya principle,
harmony and disharmony2. Verse 4 to 8: Who is the Isvara?
a. Verse 4 to 5: Inconceivable of Isvarab. Verse 6 to 7: Spiritual vision of mahabhagavatac. Verse 8: How mahabhagavata understands the Isvara
3. Verse 9 to 14: Understanding and misunderstanding the Isvaraa. Verse 9 to 11: Vidya (personal knowledge) and avidya
(material and impersonal knowledge)b. Verse 12 to 14: Demigod worship vs worship of Supreme
Lord
Verse 15 to 18: Prayers to Isvara to reveal Himself
Rise and fall in KC
Akarma – Rapid elevation by KC
Karma – Gradual elevation by karma-
kanda
Vikarma – Degradation due to vikarma