Meditation or Dhyaanam is an integral part of sadhana of a Vedanta student-disciple. Since meditation has entered the mainstream, many wrong ideas abound and hence sincere seekers are denied its many benefits. Is the goal of meditation to empty the mind? Is it meditation if the mind wanders? Will meditation solve all my problems? We explore the answers to these questions/myths in the light of Vedanta. The transcript - https://arshavidyananda.in/284-meditation-6-key-myths-and-truths-as-per-vedant...
Jun 25, 2024•18 min
Our journey of accepting people is incomplete if it leaves the most important person out – oneself. What do you long to hear? What can you say to yourself? An open letter. The podcast transcript - https://arshavidyananda.in/283-forgiving-oneself-an-open-letter/ Our monthly newsletter - Aarsha Vidya Bharati - Jun 2024| Dharmam Śaraṇam Gacchāmi| Tīrthayātrā to Srisailam| Celebration of Ādi Śaṅkarācārya Jayanti | And more! - https://mailchi.mp/d7875d33abf3/aarsha-vidya-bharati-june2024 Our monthly...
Jun 18, 2024•12 min
We wrongly think that the big ‘aha’ moments of epiphanies while meditating or during a retreat make us see that life is sacred. Actually, the simple prayers and practices that, we do every day help us appreciate that all of life is sacred. Spread throughout the day, all of these 10-12 shlokas and practices will take less than ten minutes and on top of it, one has sanctified one’s day. To see a simple puja being performed (from 4.06 mins onwards), please click here Please contact Rashmi to learn ...
Jun 11, 2024•27 min
First, we become aware of how we depend on everyday non-religious rituals to provide structure, comfort, and meaning to our lives. Second, we understand why we developed a distaste for religious rituals and Third, we appreciate some of the rituals in Hinduism that help us to discover the inherent sacredness of our lives. The podcast transcript - https://arshavidyananda.in/281-are-rituals-necessary-for-your-spiritual-growth/ Buddha at the Gas Pump interview - Swamini Brahmaprajnananda Saraswati -...
Jun 04, 2024•28 min
In the endless striving to attain wealth, power and scale the height of pleasure, is there anything that, we tend to overlook? How does the Bhagavad Gita and the Vedic tradition look upon a truly accomplished being? We find out. The podcast transcript - https://arshavidyananda.in/why-you-are-greater-than-all-your-achievements/ Our latest newsletter - Aarsha Vidya Bharati - May 2024 - Jaya Jaya Shankara| Ādi Śaṅkarācārya Jayanti| Participating in the 6months Vedanta course Rishikesh| Śri Natarāj...
May 28, 2024•20 min
Is there a stotram (devotional set of verses) composed by Adi Shankaracharya that laments one's helpless condition, seeks divine protection, surrenders to Bhagavan, lays out the stumbling blocks in one's spiritual journey and invokes the urgency of enquiry into samsaara - all at once! It is Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Karavalamba Stotram! Just as Prahlada, Narayana's beloved devotee was protected by Narasimha avataara, we too will be protected and blessed if we seek refuge in Lakshmi Narasimha. We loo...
May 21, 2024•45 min
When there seems no way out of suffering, Bhagavan always appears in the most mysterious of forms to bless his devotees. We see this in the events leading to Hiranyakashipu who determined to kill his son Prahlada, challenges the very existence of God and the 4th manifestation of Vishnu appears as Bhagavan Narasimha. And how! To read the podcast transcript - https://arshavidyananda.in/278-narasimha-s-justice-and-prahladas-devotion-a-story-of-divine-protection/ We had heard about Prahlada's wisdom...
May 14, 2024•32 min
That moment when we saw all that is here is one, The harmony that we have built in our relationships with Karma Yoga, The care and connection we feel, because of Vedanta. All of the above is thanks to someone you have n't met in person but who has helped you know and enjoy yourself and the world - Jagadguru Adi Shankacaracharya. What are his 10 key contributions to Hinduism/Sanatana Dharma? The podcast transcript - https://arshavidyananda.in/277-key-10-contributions-of-adi-shankaracharya-to-sana...
May 07, 2024•25 min
Jeeva, a 45-year-old, believes that many key people are to be blamed for his life turning out the way it did. He goes to court, hurling accusations at his parents, friends, partner, CEO of his company, and social media. The judge listens to all the witnesses and contributors to Jeeva's life and pronounces the verdict while giving many life lessons. The podcast transcript - https://arshavidyananda.in/276-who-shapes-your-life-journey-you-or-others/ Our monthly newsletter, Aarsha Vidya Bharati - Ap...
Apr 30, 2024•20 min
Composed by Jagadguru Adi Shankararachya, Hanumat Pancharatnam is a stotram of five gems in praise of Hanuman, the greatest bhakta/devotee of Bhagavan Rama. Hanuman has become the beloved of all due to his unparalleled courage, power and devotion. When one prays to him, he is very quick to respond, especially as he still roams the earth as one of the 7 chiranjeevis. The phalashruti, (verse mentioning the results of chanting the stotram) says that whoever reads this Hanumat Pancharatnam will enjo...
Apr 23, 2024•27 min
Composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya which makes it all the more special and powerful, Sri Rama Bhujanga Prayata Stotram is a set of 26 devotional verses dedicated to Bhagavan Sri Rama. The Stotram beautifully unfolds the unchanging nature of Sri Rama that is Brahman, the limitless being, Sri Rama as Bhagavan and Sri Rama as a relational, deeply loved and revered embodiment of Dharma. Our journey of bhakti is complete, in its understanding. The podcast transcript - https://arshavidyananda.in/274-s...
Apr 16, 2024•35 min
Much before we discover Bhagavan through the many stories, prayers and stotrams embedded in the way of life, or even our gurus, we find and look up to our role models. We are constantly influenced by those we admire, aspire to be like, or seek guidance from, w hether we are consciously aware of it or not. And so, when our role models are chosen consciously their thoughts, behaviour, teachings are always available to us to navigate challenges. How can role models shape our growth and why is it im...
Apr 09, 2024•28 min
Very often we tend to react mechanically and then lament - Why did I say or do the wrong thing? Why did I not do/say the right thing? Here are some points to consider based on the Bhagavad Gita so that we start responding thereby increasing our mastery in life. The podcast transcript - https://arshavidyananda.in/272-how-to-stop-reacting-and-start-responding/ Details of the upcoming Dhyaanam course - https://www.hua.edu/courses/dhyaanam-meditation-and-the-meditator Our monthly newsletter, Aarsha ...
Apr 02, 2024•27 min
Prahlada was the son of an asura Hiranyakashipu and due to a set of unique circumstances found himself to be devoted deeply to Bhagavan Narayana. His bhakti, devotion was so steadfast that all attempts to dissuade him including attempts to kill him did not work. What wisdom did he share with his own father and his friends? We look into it, through a section of the Bhagavatam. Podcast transcript - https://arshavidyananda.in/271-wisdom-teachings-by-prahlada-a-child-devotee-of-narayana-bhagavatam/ ...
Mar 26, 2024•32 min
In part 1 we heard about some of the different sadhanas/religious disciplines mentioned in the Gita. Bhagavan helps us see what these can achieve and what they cannot and explains why jnana yajna is the best yajna or sadhana. This is part two of a two part series on sadhanas/yajnas. Podcast transcript - https://arshavidyananda.in/270-which-is-the-best-sadhana-yajna-in-the-gita-part-2-of-2/ Thank you to Feedspot for featuring 'Vedanta - the river of wisdom' amongst the top 10 podcasts on spiritua...
Mar 19, 2024•28 min
Although many claims about the efficacy of different sadhanas/religious disciplines are made, the Bhagavad Gita surprises us by telling us the best yajna. In the fourth chapter, Bhagavan reveals other sadhanas/yajnas and helps us see what they can achieve and what they cannot. This is part one of a two part series on sadhanas. Podcast transcript - https://arshavidyananda.in/269-which-is-the-best-sadhana-yajna-in-the-gita-part-1-of-2/ Thank you to Feedspot for featuring 'Vedanta - the river of wi...
Mar 12, 2024•21 min
In composing this stotram of five verses Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya relates the five syllables - na-ma-shi-va-ya , to Bhagavan Shiva’s glories and his unchanging nature. He initiates us into chanting the mantra and also evokes a sweet surrender in us. The podcast transcript - https://arshavidyananda.in/268-shiva-panchakshara-stotram-its-meaning-and-powerful-blessing/ Aarsha Vidya Bharati - Mar 2024 - 4 Essential Factors for Learning| Mahashivaratri| Sri Nataraja Stotram| Heritage Hub| Pashupat...
Mar 05, 2024•31 min
Composed by Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya, this set of five verses highlights the power of offering puja with just your mind. This is not a substitute for a regular puja rather an addition to make one's bhakti and absorption deeper. First, we hear the story of the origins of the Hridyaleeshwarar temple in Chennai and its connection with a sadhu's maanasam puja and then we dwell on the meaning of this beautiful stotram offering. The podcast transcript - https://arshavidyananda.in/267-shiva-maa...
Feb 27, 2024•29 min
We love and thrive on our experiences and crave for more. Vedanta helps us question if experience is indeed our reality. Through an enquiry into the three states of experience - waking, dream and deep sleep, we discover the unchanging I that is present in all experiences but untouched by all experiences. Sounds like a contradiction? It is the un-negatable truth about you. In the process we also mention how Vedanta looks upon lucid dreaming and dream analysis. Podcast transcript - https://arshavi...
Feb 20, 2024•28 min
The vision of Vedanta is that you are Brahman, the limitless being. It is not possible to see this wisdom without the grace of Brahman himself or herself as Bhagavati. It is not possible to see this wisdom without seeing the world as a manifestation of Brahman. And so we worship the wisdom and intelligence permeating the world as Devi Sharada or Saraswati, the Goddess of wisdom to bless us, especially around Vasanta Panchami after the onset of spring in Bharat. We have an added connection to Dev...
Feb 13, 2024•26 min
Every year, practising Hindus undertake a pilgrimage to sacred sites, temples, rivers, mountains, lakes and places considered energetically more potent with the presence of devatas and Rishis and hence their blessings. A tirthayatra (pilgrimage) is different from a vacation in which we expect and seek comfort and convenience. What are the reasons we undertake a tirthayatra and how might we go about it? To read the transcript - https://discoveratma.com/264-the-what-why-and-how-of-a-tirthayatra-hi...
Feb 06, 2024•29 min
The word 'Rama' was there long before Bhagavan Rama appeared on this earth as an Avataara. How did even the name, nama inspire and transform Rishi Valmiki, Swami Samarth Ramadas and other saints? The podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/262-the-transformative-power-of-the-sacred-word-rama/ Our monthly newsletter - Aarsha Vidya Bharati - Jan 2024| Vedanta Camp| Svadharma Course| Vedic Wisdom Festival Report| Sampūrṇa Gītā Pārāyaṇam| Narmada Parikramā| And more! - https://mailchi.mp/b8842...
Jan 31, 2024•22 min
All of us struggle with sustaining our motivation levels in eating healthy, exercising regularly, meditating daily, contacting friends, learning a skill, doing japa or regularly attending Vedanta class. What are the internal and or external factors that motivate us? How can we do what really matters to us? Dharmo rakshati rakshitah. Dharma protects the one who protects it. The podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/263-what-motivates-us-and-sustains-motivation-in-our-pursuits/ Our monthly...
Jan 31, 2024•25 min
As we approach the re-opening of the grand Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, inviting Bhagavan Sri Rama to always be with us, we also invite Sri Rama into our hearts. It was written by Goswami Tulsidas ji sometime in the 16th century as a part of Vinay Patrika. We listen to this beautiful bhajan sung by our beloved Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati ji and dwell on the meaning of its verses, leading to much delight and gladness. The transcript - https://discoveratma.com/261-the-meaning-of-sri-ramachandra-krpa...
Jan 19, 2024•20 min
When Sri Rama was exhausted and worried on the battlefield just before his encounter with Ravana, Rishi Agastya appears and teaches him this powerful and sacred worship to Aditya, the presiding deity of the Sun. And the rest as they say is history or Itihaasa. We too can gain victory in our pursuits by learning and chanting this brilliant Aditya Hridayam Stotram. The podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/260-the-powerful-blessing-and-meaning-of-aditya-hridayam/ New course on Svadharma st...
Jan 09, 2024•51 min
In any given situation, atleast two forces seem to be opposed to each other. Discipline - Laziness, Composure-Stress, Optimism-Pessimism. Bhagavan Krishna says that to be a master we need to direct the dialogue and ally with Dharma. How? The podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/259-how-to-resolve-our-internal-conflicts-a-friendly-teaching-from-the-bhagavad-gita/ New course on Svadharma starting 14th January 2024 - Discovering and living our life purpose - https://www.hua.edu/courses/sva...
Jan 02, 2024•23 min
Shri Dattatreya is one of the most revered sages who incarnated on earth. And he gave teachings which are in the form of Tripura Rahasya. In the Jnana Khanda which is a section on wisdom, the commentator narrates a story of the Jivatma, its sense of bondage and liberation. It is Sri Dattatreya Jayanti on 26th December 2023 and we hear his teaching today. Avadhuta Gita - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-river-of-wisdom/episodes/113-Avadhuta-Gita---Learning-from-24-masters-1-of-3-ekisp9...
Dec 26, 2023•23 min
This year was a happy year! We did a lot of karma. We upheld Dharma by practising universal values. Dharma made us happy. Do you know which values mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita, you effortlessly embodied? The podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/257-your-tree-of-karma-how-did-it-grow-this-year/ Our December 2023 newsletter of Aarsha Vidya Bharati - Looking back l Gita Jayanti l Vishnu Krpa l VWF l The Lie of Objectivity l Vedanta camp l Narmada Parikrama and more ! - https://mailchi.mp...
Dec 19, 2023•27 min
All of us have used Vedanta to avoid or bypass uncomfortable emotions or the challenges of daily living, at some time of the other. If allowed to continue, spiritual bypassing prevents us from enjoying the fruits of this knowledge. And so we look at ourselves clearly and gain the right perspective to our emotions in the light of Vedanta. The podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/category/podcast/ Our December 2023 newsletter of Aarsha Vidya Bharati - Looking back l Gita Jayanti l Vishnu ...
Dec 12, 2023•18 min
Here is a lovely story from Sri Swami Rama Tirtha, a teacher of Vedanta who lived before Swami Vivekananda. Guess what the person finds when he looks for God? The podcast transcript - https://discoveratma.com/255-the-one-who-looked-for-god-story/ Our December 2023 newsletter of Aarsha Vidya Bharati - Looking back l Gita Jayanti l Vishnu Krpa l VWF l The Lie of Objectivity l Vedanta camp l Narmada Parikrama and more ! - https://mailchi.mp/90bb015c61ff/aarsha-vidya-bharati-dec2023 Our monthly news...
Dec 05, 2023•22 min
