Philosophy

Philosophy Aug 02, 2023

Stories from the Upaniṣads - part 2

The victory of the Devas (from Kenopaniṣat) The Paramātman is the creator and sustainer of the world, omniscient, omnipotent. The main aim of our lives should...

Vidwan Ranganatha Sarma | Trans: Raghavendra G S

Philosophy Aug 01, 2023

Ch. 16 Yoga of Distinction Between āsurī and daivī qualities (Part 4)

It is not possible for ordinary people to know the path of dharma by their own judgment, without the guidance of Śruti and Smṛti. Their knowledge is limited; th...

D V Gundappa | Trans: Raghavendra Hebbalalu, Sreelalitha Rupanagudi

Philosophy Jul 30, 2023

Stories from the Upaniṣads - part 1

Prologue The upaniṣads occur at the end of each of the vedas. Hence they are known as the vedānta. Or they are the conclusion or the ultimate truth. It is firm...

Vidwan Ranganatha Sarma | Trans: Raghavendra G S

Philosophy Jul 25, 2023

Ch. 16 Yoga of Distinction Between āsurī and daivī qualities (Part 3)

In the Rāmāyaṇa, after Daśaratha left to the heavenly abode, when Bharata begged Rāma to return to Ayodhyā and become the king, Srirāma says the following -...

D V Gundappa | Trans: Raghavendra Hebbalalu, Sreelalitha Rupanagudi

Philosophy Jul 18, 2023

Ch. 16 Yoga of Distinction Between āsurī and daivī qualities (Part 2)

All the above are sāttvika qualities. “Abhijāta” means one who is born after performing puṇya. Such a person is blessed with daivī qualities. Whoever thinks he...

D V Gundappa | Trans: Raghavendra Hebbalalu, Sreelalitha Rupanagudi

Philosophy Jul 11, 2023

Ch. 16 Yoga of Distinction Between āsurī and daivī qualities (Part 1)

Note manujaṃ daivāsurala- kṣaṇamiśritanavana jagakè kaṭṭuva saṃpad- guṇamāsuram adariṃ mo- canèyāgipa saṃyamādigaḻè daivya-dhanaṃ ॥ Man is an admixt...

D V Gundappa | Trans: Raghavendra Hebbalalu, Sreelalitha Rupanagudi

Philosophy Jul 04, 2023

Ch. 15 Yoga of meditation on the root of the aśvattha (part 4)

Let us now conclude this topic. The jīva has come in contact with the saṃsāra-tree. The root of that tree is in the supreme position (“parame vyoman”). In its l...

D V Gundappa | Trans: Raghavendra Hebbalalu, Sreelalitha Rupanagudi

Philosophy Jun 27, 2023

Ch. 15 Yoga of meditation on the root of the aśvattha (part 3)

We saw in the previous Bhāgavata śloka a mention of two birds in the primordial tree - dvikhago hyādivṛkṣaḥ. When there is a tree, there is usually a bird in it...

D V Gundappa | Trans: Raghavendra Hebbalalu, Sreelalitha Rupanagudi

Philosophy Jun 20, 2023

Ch. 15 Yoga of meditation on the root of the aśvattha (part 2)

What is the reason behind the name aśvattha for a tree thus extolled in the Veda? Śvaḥ in Saṃskṛt means tomorrow. Śvastha is something that will exist tomorrow...

D V Gundappa | Trans: Raghavendra Hebbalalu, Sreelalitha Rupanagudi

Philosophy Jun 14, 2023

Ch. 15 Yoga of meditation on the root of the aśvattha (part 1)

Introduction parākṛtanamadbandhaṃ paraṃbrahma narākṛti | saundaryasārasarvasvaṃ vande nandātmajaṃ mahaḥ || I bow to that Supreme Brahma in human form that d...

D V Gundappa | Trans: Raghavendra Hebbalalu, Sreelalitha Rupanagudi

Philosophy Jun 06, 2023

Ch. 14 Yoga of Attention towards the Mechanism of the Three Guṇas (part 3)

A relevant matter here needs discussion. Bhagavān says that the three guṇas have to be transcended or sublimated. Good. But even to transcend those guṇas, a guṇ...

D V Gundappa | Trans: Raghavendra Hebbalalu, Sreelalitha Rupanagudi

Philosophy May 30, 2023

Ch. 14 Yoga of Attention towards the Mechanism of the Three Guṇas (part 2)

What is a guṇa? A certain innate characteristic or natural power of a thing that causes affinity or otherwise with another thing is its guṇa. Thus the guṇa is a...

D V Gundappa | Trans: Raghavendra Hebbalalu, Sreelalitha Rupanagudi