Understanding Gita & Bhagavata In The Context Of Rasopasana

Rasopasana is a spiritual practice practiced by the Rasik traditions of Brindavan. The use of Rasa in the spiritual practice is started by Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition started in 16th century following the teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu which was later taken up by followers of Harivams Mahaprabhu (Radha Vallabha sampradaya) and Swami Haridas (Haridasi sect of Nimbarka Sampradaya). These sampradayas consider Prema (divine love for Sri Krishna) as the parama purushartha and reject Dharma, Artha, Kama and even Moksha as the purusharthas. The followers of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu considered Bhagavata Purana as the pramana for his teachings and Bhagavadgita as a sopana (ladder) for Bhagavata while proposing Prema purushartha. In fact, they even go beyond Bhagavata itself in their final analysis of the bhav they try to cultivate in their spiritual practice. As is well known, the other vaidik traditions such as Advaitha, vishishtadvaita and dvaita interpret Bhagavadgita and Bhagavata as propounding Moksha Purushartha, though they differ in the idea of Moskha. The lecture tries to understand both the works from the perspective of Rasopasana : what they mean to them.

Morning Session : 24 Dec 2023 | 11:00am to 12:30pm

Evening Session : 24 Dec 2023 | 04:00pm to 05:30pm

Speakers

Dr. Srinivasa Acharya Bellamkonda

B.E in civil engineering from Osmania University. Ph.D from HCU. on Drama, Natya and Lila : Towards a theory of self and self fulfilling in theatre. Started spiritual journey in 1992. Studies the basics of Poorva Mimamsa and Advani’s Vedanta from Mahamahopadhyaya Dongre shastriji. Vishistadvaita Vedanta from Rangaramanujaacharyulu. Dvaita from Jayateerthachar. Gaudiya Vaishnava from His Gurudev Sri Haridas Shastriji. After meeting Jagadguru Kripalu in2008, he started developing Rasopasana, practicing and teaching it ever since. He conducts online and offline courses in Rasopasana. He runs a public charitable trust called GVALA through which he serves cows and conducts classes on self empowerment and Rasopasana. YouTube channel on Rasopasana in English, Hindi and Telugu.