Śaṅkarācārya’s AdhyāsaBhāṣyam – Advanced Sanskrit Reading & Grammar Class

श्रीमच्छङ्करभगवत्पूज्यपादविरचितब्रह्मसूत्राध्यासभाष्याद्वयात्मानन्दकृतव्याकरणटिप्पण्यः

Śaṅkarācārya’s AdhyāsaBhāṣyam

New Session Starts Wednesday, February 9th, 2022

10:30 AM Pacific Time

Description: Reading and grammatical analysis of the अध्यासभाष्यम् AdhyāsaBhāṣyam – Śaṅkarācārya’s introduction to his commentary on the BrahmaSūtram with . This is primarily a grammar class, not a BrahmaSūtra class per se.

Prerequisite: Moderate proficiency in Sanskrit, Sanskrit grammar, and comfort with Devanāgarī.

When:  Wednesdays 10:30 AM Pacific Time

Where: Attend Online

Class Details and Materials

To ensure you receive updates regarding this class please subscribe to the class-specific announcement list if you are not already subscribed by sending email to Sanskrit3Wednesday+subscribe@ArshaDrishti.groups.io .  You can check and manage your class subscriptions at ArshaDrishti.group.io 

The class is free of charge.

The Limitless Glories of Lord Śiva

By Swami Advayatmananda

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(Excerpts originally published in the 2021 Arsha Vidya Gurukulam Souvenir)

असितगिरिसमं स्यात्कज्जलं सिन्धुपात्रे
सुरतरुवरशाखा लेखनी पत्रमुर्वी ।
लिखति यदि गृहीत्वा शारदा सर्वकालं
तदपि तव गुणानामीश पारं न याति ॥ ३२ ॥

asitagirisamaṁ syātkajjalaṁ sindhupātre
surataruvaraśākhā lekhanī patramurvī ।
likhati yadi gṛhītvā śāradā sarvakālaṁ
tadapi tava guṇānāmīśa pāraṁ na yāti ॥ 32 ॥

“Should the ink be the black mountains, contained in the ink pot of the ocean;
Should the pen be a branch of the greatest heavenly tree, and the writing paper the entire earth; If even Śāradā, Goddess Saraswati herself were to take these and write for all time; Still she would never reach the end, O Lord, of your glorious attributes!”

This beautiful śloka from the Śivamahimnastotram in praise of Lord Śiva reveals the vision of advaita, non-duality, as expressed through the heart of a bhakta, a devotee.

Lord Śiva is presented in several complementary ways in the śāstra, scriptures. On one hand, he is represented as a family man, with wife, Pārvatī, and two sons, Subrahmaṇya and Gaṇapati. As such this form represents the pravṛtti-mārga—the lifestyle of a gṛhastha, householder, engaged in the world, leading the prayerful life of karma-yoga through which one transforms one’s entire life into a prayer, into a sādhana, spiritual practice.

Śiva is also represented as a tyāgī and yogī—an ascetic deeply absorbed in nididhyāsana, contemplation, representing the nivṛtti-mārga—the lifestyle of a saṁnyāsī who has embraced a life of voluntary simplicity and meditation dedicated to the pursuit of ātma-vidyā, self-knowledge.

Lord Śiva is also presented as the guru, teacher, in the form of Śrī Dakṣiṇāmūrti—the one who fearlessly faces south, south representing saṁsāra, the life filled with endless struggle and death, teaching his śiṣyas, students, the essence of the Upaniṣads, as kara-kalita-cin-mudra—the one whose hand is in the form of the cin-mudrā—the physical representation of the mahāvākya tat tvam asi.

This mahāvākya is the jīva-īśvara-aikya-bodhaka-vākya—the statement which, when fully understood through the unfoldment by a qualified teacher—directly reveals the oneness, non-separateness of the individual and the Lord. This direct knowledge enables the student to understand and hold the transformative vision that all that is here is one reality, Īśvara.

Pujya Swami Dayananda was fond of urging mumukṣus, spiritual aspirants, to “Īśvara-ize” the world and one’s life experiences. This is because the more one brings Īśvara into one’s life, the closer one is to reality, truth, because there is nothing here but Īśvara. As the karma-phala-dātā, the giver of the results of one’s previous actions, the Lord is present in every situation that appears in the unfoldment of the storyline of one’s life. As such, Lord Śiva appears in his potentially frightening form as the fructification of one’s pāpa, presenting us with obstacles and challenges, and also in his beneficent form, as the fructification of one’s puṇya, blessing us with opportunities and abundance.

And as jagataḥ abhinna-upādāna-kāraṇa, the non-separate material cause of all creation, Lord Śiva is the very stuff of creation—non-separate from the creation itself. The entire jagat, universe, and all of one’s life experiences are a manifestation of Lord Śiva’s guṇas, qualities, attributes, glories. He is parameśvara, the limitless Lord. Nothing can be separate from that which is limitless. He is satyam and mithyā, the real and the apparent; kāraṇa and kārya, cause and effect; nirguṇa and saguṇa, free of all qualities, yet manifesting as all nāma-rūpas, all names and forms.

Even Goddess Saraswati is unable to define the limitless, unable to enumerate the endless glories of Lord Śiva. He Īśa, O Lord, no one can ascertain the limit of your attributes, of your glories. All attributes and glories are yours. Even the glories I mistakenly claim as my own are nothing but your glories. Who could reach the limit your glories? Who can describe the limitless? You are limitless. You are everything. You are in fact ātmā, my very being. Wherever I look, I see nothing but you, and my heart overflows with wonderment and devotion.

 

॥ॐ तत्सत्॥
Om Tat Sat

©2021 Arsha Drishti

Seeking Resolution: The Resolution of Seeking – An Introduction to Advaita Vedanta, A Chennai Temple Talk – Updated Edition

Download Updated Booklet

A talk by Swami Advayatmananda Saraswati

(Presented as Brahmacārī Daksha Chaitanya prior to his Saṃnyāsa-Dīkṣā)

Marundeeshvara Temple, Chennai, India

November 19, 2014

Swami Advayatmananda Saraswati, while still a brahmacārī (Daksha Chaitanya), was invited to speak at the beautiful and sacred Marundeeshvara Temple in Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai, India, on November 19, 2014.  In this talk he explores the resolution to equation “I” + x = Happiness, questioning the very premise of our ceaseless search for wholeness.  Along the way he touches on topics ranging from crossword puzzles, musical improvisation, and workplace challenges, to recognition of the fundamental universal human problem, impermanent means and ends,  radical transformation of self identity, and the joy of living, all as informed by the vision of the sages of ancient India.

Advayatmananda Chennai Temple 3

Swamiji as a brahmacārī teaching at the temple

Marundeeshvara Temple

Arulmigu Marundeeswarar Temple, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai, India

Advayatmananda Chennai Temple 2

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Advayatmananda Chennai Temple 1

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Arsha Vidya Gurukulam Thanksgiving Retreat – Brahmavidāśīrvādapaddhati – Contemplative Prayers for Self-knowledge

Thanksgiving Weekend Retreat Live Online

November 25 – 28

Register to Attend

Download Text

 

Brahmavidāśīrvādaḥ is a work attributed to the famous 14th century teacher Śrī Vidyāraṇya that presents the essence of Advaita Vedanta in the form of meditative prayers seeking blessings for gaining an assimilated and abiding vision of Vedanta such that it becomes one’s living reality.

Selections will be presented both as an unfoldment of the vision of one’s inherent wholeness and freedom, and as seeds for nididhyāsana—the deep contemplation on the truth of the contemplator.

Resident AVG acarya Swami Muktatmananda will also be presenting Bhagavad Gita Ch 12 vs 14 “Characteristics of a Jñānī” during the retreat.

Attend in person at the Arsha Vidya Gurukulam in Saylorsburg PA, or online.

 

Kaṭhopaniṣad Classes

Saturday Mornings
Meditation at 8:00 AM
Class at 8:30 followed by discussion

The Kaṭha Upaniṣad (Kaṭhopaniṣad) is a profound ancient Sanskrit text in which the vision of one’s inherent wholeness, freedom, and oneness with the sacred (jīva-īśvara-aikyam) is unfolded through a dialog between a young boy, Naciketas, and Lord Yama, death himself.

As we study this Upaniṣad we take the journey along with Naciketas to explore the truth of ourselves and the world, and understand what is required of one on the path of self-discovery (adhikāritvam).

The Kaṭha Upaniṣad covers all of the important topics of Advaita Vedanta, and is presented as a means of knowledge (pramāṇa) that enables seekers to directly recognize that what they seek is indeed available for discovery at this moment.

No previous exposure to Vedanta or knowledge of Sanskrit is required. The text will be made available before the class.

To ensure you receive updates regarding this class please subscribe to the class-specific announcement list if you are not already subscribed by sending email to VedantaSaturday+subscribe@ArshaDrishti.groups.io . You can check and manage your class subscriptions at ArshaDrishti.group.io

The class is free of charge.

Download Text

Related Texts

Download Audio of Kaṭhopaniṣad Chanted by Swami Paramarthananda

AVG – Next Generation Talks – Cultivating Inner Peace

AVG Next Generation is an Arsha Vidya Gurukulam program dedicated to engaging the Next Generation of seekers – college students, young adults, working professionals, and those with families – who are interested in self-growth and self-knowledge. Programming includes ongoing classes, discussions, and retreats involving like-minded individuals to learn more about their limitless reality.

Join us for the new virtual series on cultivating peace in this chaotic time! Our next session is this Sunday, October 11th at 8:00 pm – 9:15 pm ET (note time change) led by Swamini Svatmavidyanandaji on the topic of “Cultivating Inner Peace in the Age of COVID-19”.

Zoom Video Conferencing Information is below:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89162393981?pwd=aE5LUUtZckZ3bzdrTFlURjdmanMydz09

Meeting ID: 891 6239 3981
Passcode: 963196

One tap mobile
+13126266799,,89162393981# US (Chicago)
+19292056099,,89162393981# US (New York)

Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
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+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
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+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 891 6239 3981
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbaBi4sOTI

For more information please email avgnextgen@gmail.com

Pujya Swami Dayananda’s Mahasamadhi Commemoration

A message from AIM for Seva

We invite you to join us for a 5-day online event to pay homage to Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati, one of the greatest teachers of Vedanta, to commemorate the 5th year of his attaining mahasamadhi (on September 23, 2015). This virtual event will be held from September 19 to 23, 2020. 

For program dates and details, please visit: https://aimforseva.in/fiftharadhana

The links to the programs will be sent to your email 24 hours prior to the event. 

If you have any queries, please email us at pujyaswamiji90@gmail.com or call Mr.Chandrasekaran at +91-95000 61497.

With regards,
Chandrasekaran.S.
Joint Director / Strategy & Resource DevelopmentAIM for Seva, Chennai Mobile: +91 95000 61497
Email:  chandrasekaranaimforseva@gmail.com
SCSaimforseva@gmail.comwww.aimforseva.in

Śaṅkarācārya’s AdhyāsaBhāṣyam – Advanced Sanskrit Reading & Grammar Class

श्रीमच्छङ्करभगवत्पूज्यपादविरचितब्रह्मसूत्राध्यासभाष्याद्वयात्मानन्दकृतव्याकरणटिप्पण्यः

Śaṅkarācārya’s AdhyāsaBhāṣyam

New Session Starts Wednesday, February 9th, 2022

10:30 AM Pacific Time

Description: Reading and grammatical analysis of the अध्यासभाष्यम् AdhyāsaBhāṣyam – Śaṅkarācārya’s introduction to his commentary on the BrahmaSūtram with . This is primarily a grammar class, not a BrahmaSūtra class per se.

Prerequisite: Moderate proficiency in Sanskrit, Sanskrit grammar, and comfort with Devanāgarī.

When:  Wednesdays 10:30 AM Pacific Time

Where: Attend Online

Class Details and Materials

To ensure you receive updates regarding this class please subscribe to the class-specific announcement list if you are not already subscribed by sending email to Sanskrit3Wednesday+subscribe@ArshaDrishti.groups.io .  You can check and manage your class subscriptions at ArshaDrishti.group.io 

The class is free of charge.

Vijñāna-Naukā: The Boat of Wisdom Class Video Available

Watch video of the classes presented at the Arsha Vidya Gurukulam September 2019
Download the text

Vijñāna-Naukā – The Boat of Wisdom, also known as  Svarūpa-anusandhāna-aṣṭakam – The Eight Verses of Inquiry into the Truth of the Self, is a profound contemplative work of eight verses attributed to Ādi Śaṅkarācārya. 

This text succinctly unfolds the vision of the sages of ancient India — that I am even now what I seek to become.  This direct recognition resolves all searching into the fullness which is myself.  

It is in this recognition that freedom, peace, and fullness are discovered, a recognition that enables me to become alive to the reality of myself, the world, and the sacred, allowing me to meet life with joy, compassion and purpose.

This text presents several traditional teaching methodologies, as well as the means to gain the preparedness to transform a desire for mokṣa into an abiding wisdom.  Each verse of this powerful text is well suited to bring into the contemplative practice of nididhyāsana.

Ātma-Ṣaṭkam – Six Verses on the True Self

Starting Saturday, August 10th
Meditation at 8:00 AM
Class at 8:30 followed by discussion

Ātma-Ṣaṭkam, also known as Nirvāṇa-Ṣaṭkam, is a profound hymn of only six verses in which Ādi Śaṅkara leads us through an investigation into the question “कोऽहम् – Ko ‘ham –  Who am I?”

This inquiry systematically frees us from false limiting self-notions and brings an immediacy to the teachings of the sages of ancient India. Each verse brings into question our self-judgements and resolves into a vision of the truth of our inherent wholeness.

This text is a favorite of Swami Viditatmananda’s, and is a powerful tool for contemplation and gaining a firm abidance in the source of one’s natural source of joy and peace.

Click Here to Attend

Download Ātma-Ṣaṭkam Text

Download Text of Class Chants 

Listen to Ātma-Ṣaṭkam Chanting Audio

The class is free of charge.