Introduction to Vedanta

Vedanta Society of Iowa February 22, 2014

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Discussion Topics



What is Vedanta?



Why study Vedanta?



How to study Vedanta?



Q&A

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What is Vedanta ?



Culmination/Essence of ‘Veda’



Basis (Philosophy) of Hinduism



Defines God (Brahman) as ‘Sat-Chit-Ananda’

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Why study Vedanta?



To be eternally happy & wise



Sat-Chit-Ananda



To understand who I am



Aham Brahmasmi



To understand what this world is



Sarvam Kalvidam Brahman



To ascertain methods to achieve the goal



Sadhana Chatushtaya/Prapatti Marga/Nabadha Bhakti/4-Yogas/5 Commandments of Sri Ramakrishna etc.



To become master of oneself



Obtain sthitapragna (not buffeted by dualities)



To develop reverence for everything



Ekam Sat; Vipra vahudha badanti (all incarnation + all religion + all living & non living manifestations )

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How to study Vedanta?

1. Anubandha-Chatushtaya ( अनुबन्ध चतुष्टय )

 4-requisites to undertake a study 

Prayojana, Vishaya, Sambandha, Adhikari

2. Sadhana-Chatushtaya ( साधन चतुष्टय )

 4-means to develop qualification 

Viveka, Vairagya, Sad-Sampatti, Mumukshutva

3. Shravana-Manana-Nididhysana ( श्रवण मनन नननिध्यासन )

 3-fold process of practice  Constant Hearing, Reflecting, Meditating 5

Anubandha-Chatushtaya



Prayojana (’



प्रयोजन

Atyantika – Dukha – Nivritti

’)



Paramananda Prapti

– benefit/result 

Vishaya (’

नवषय

’)



Jiva - Brahman - Aikya

– subject matter 

Sambandha(’

सम्बन्ध

’) – relationship 

Prayojana – Vishaya – Sambandha – Adhikari



Adhikari (’

अनधकारी

’)



Chitta Ekagrata



Chitta Suddhi

– qualification of seeker 6

Sadhana-Chatushtaya



Viveka (‘

नववेक

’)



Discrimination between Eternal and Non-Eternal



Vairagya (‘

वैराग्य

’)



Detachment from Non-Eternal



ShamAdi Sat-Sampatti (‘

शमानि शट

-

सम्पनि

’



Practice of Six Wealths/Treasures

)



Mumukshutva (‘

मुमुक्षुत्व



Longing for Liberation/Mukti

‘)

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Shat-Sampatti

     

Shama (‘

शम

’)



detaching the mind from external stimuli

Dama (‘

िम

’)



detaching the sense organs from external stimuli

TitikShA (‘

नतनतक्षा

’)



enduring afflictions without reaction

Uparati (‘

उपरनत

’)



not letting the mind react

ShraddhA (‘

श्रद्धा

’)

 faith in Scriptures & words of Guru

SamAdhAna(‘

समाधान

’)

 one pointed focus on the Reality 8

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