One of the richest sources of information from the life of Acharya Shankara is the religious landscape of the land of Bharat. While we typically associate the Acharya with the rejuvenation of Upanishadic wisdom, his contribution to streamlining and resurrecting the religious fabric of Bharat is Himalayan. While my upcoming book ‘Sankarayanam – The journey of Sankara’ delves deeper into this topic, the ‘Weekend with wisdom’ session of INDICA Moksha intends to offer a glimpse into this.
Ancient India displayed great wisdom. The education system, namely, the Gurukul system, emphasized on holistic personality development along with development of professional and scientific skills. It embodied both scientific and spirituality concepts and drew heavily from the authentic scriptures, namely, the Vedas which are blemish free. The authenticity of the Vedas was demonstrated unequivocally by many great Rishis and Acharyas, who displayed super-natural powers, and the teachings therein impacted the lifestyles, ethical values and also the professional abilities of different individuals as per their needs. Prof. Ramakrishna Hosur will present those accomplishments first showcasing the great depth of knowledge our ancestors had and preached.
Modern science which is about 400 years old has indeed accomplished great feats. However, many of those echo our ancient accomplishments. Prof. will present some of those, especially the ones dealing with Creation and Medicine.
Modern eminent scientists have also come to terms with ideas of God, which were refuted earlier, and acknowledged the ideas of personalized medicine, described in Ayurveda. Prof. will shed light on all these aspects as well as on the spiritual concepts which are crucial for our lifestyles and to be peaceful and happy.
Among the 108 Upanishads, 20 are Yoga Upanishads and among these Yoga Upanishads, the Anritabindu Upanishad is one of the most important text.
AmritaBindu Upanishad starts with a description of the mind and its nature . Then it delves deep into the practices of Yoga like Meditarion or Dhyana and its final stage of Absorption or Samadhi . In Nirvikalpa Samadhi the Mind ceases to exist and the self is absorbed in Self.The Self or Atman is in reality one and same as Paramatman if the mind is dissolved .The Paramatman is Brahman or Absilute Reality that is the Truth,Infinite and Eternal.That realisation of the invidual self being absorbed and hence identified as one and the same as Brahman is Liberation or Moksha.
In this talk, Prof. C S R Prabhu will provide a detailed introduction to the Upanishad.
Sri Sureshwaracharya was a renowned scholar and philosopher who played a pivotal role in the flourishing of Sanatana Vaidika Dharma. He was one of the most prominent disciples of Adi Shankara Bhagavadpadacharya who entrusted him with the responsibility of spreading Sanatana Dharma and Vedanta as the first Peethadhipati of Sringeri Sharadha Peetham.
The details of Sureshwaracharya’s life remain largely obscure, but Advaita Vedānta tradition holds that before accepting Adi Shankaracharya as his master, Sureshwaracharya was called Mandana Mishra, a prominent Mimamsaka scholar. His life took a transformative turn after being defeated in a debate by Shankaracharya, prompting Mishra to renounce his worldly life and embark on a spiritual path as a sannyasin (renunciate). Whether this Mandana Mishra who became Sureshwaracharya was the same as the author of Brahmasiddhi or not is an unsettled debate among scholars.
Sri Sureshwaracharya made profound and lasting contributions to Indian philosophy, particularly Advaita Vedanta. Building on Shankaracharya’s foundational teachings, Sureshwaracharya clarified and consolidated his master’s work, resolving potential misinterpretations and establishing a unified understanding. We see this particularly in his metrical commentaries or Varttikas on Shankaracharya’s Taittiriya and Brihadaranyaka Upanishadic Bhashyas. The Varttikas are seminal works that are philosophically brilliant and reinforces the very foundation of Advaita Vedanta by meticulously and critically examining Sankaracharya’s work, and which has made him popular as ‘the Varttikakara’ in the Advaita Tradition.
He has also contributed to Dharmashastra tradition by authoring an important commentary titled ‘Balakrida’ on Yajnavalkya Smriti.
Complete list of his work include:
1. Varttika on Taittriya Upanishad Bhashyam
2. Varttika on Brihadaranyaka Upanishad Bhashyam
3. Sambandha-Varttika: A commentary on Shankaracharya’s introduction to the Brhadaranyaka Upaniṣad
4. Mansollasa: A commentary on Shanakracharya’s Dakṣiṇamurti Stotram
5. Panchikarana Vartikam: A commentary on Shanakracharya’s short work Panchikarana
6. Naishkarmya Siddhi: An Independant treatise on Vedanta
7. Balakrida: A commentary on Yajnavalkya Smriti.
The Symposium seeks to highlight the philosophical brilliance and the immense contribution of the great master Sri Sureshwaracharya through shedding light on some salient aspects of his writings.
SCHEDULE
| Time | Speaker Name | Title of Talk |
| 9.00-9.10 AM | Nithin Sridhar Director & Chief Curator, Indica Moksha |
Opening Remarks |
| 9.10-10.00 AM | Swamini Brahmaprajnananda Saraswati PhD Teacher of Advaita Vedanta |
The Brilliance of Naishkarmya Siddhi of Sureshwaracharya |
| 10.00-10.30 AM | Dr. Janakisharan Acharya Dean – Faculty of Darshan in Shree Somnath Sanskrit University |
Sambandha-Varttika of Sureshwaracharya (Sanskrit Talk) |
| 10.30-11.00 AM | Dr. Ganesh Ishwar Bhat HOD and Professor in Advaita Vedanta Department, Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan in Rajiv Gandhi Campus, Sringeri. |
बृहदारण्यकभाष्यवार्तिके व्याख्याविशेषाः – Some Insights from Brihadaranyakopanishat Bhashya Varttika (Sanskrit Talk) |
| 11.00-11.30 AM | Vidwan Dr. K. S. Maheswaran Assistant Professor in Vedanta Department, Madras Sanskrit College, Mylapore |
नैष्कर्म्यसिद्धौ विशेषांशा: – Insights from Naishkarmya Siddhi (Sanskrit Talk) |
| 11.30 -12.00 PM | Dr. Sacchidanand Mishra Member Secretary, Indian Council of Philosophical Research |
Advaitavada of Manasollasa |
| 12.00-12.30 PM | Vidwan Dr. Jammalamadaka Srinivas Scholar – IKS Courses, Siddhanta Knowledge Foundation. |
Exploring Balakrida: a commentary on Yajnavalkya Smriti by Sureswaracharya |
| 12.30-1.00 PM | Vidwan Manikandan Iyer Traditional Vidwan and Banker |
Sureshwaracharya’s insights on Svayam Jyoti Brahmana of Brihadaranyaka Upanishad |
| 2.00-2.30 PM | Vidwan K Giridhara Sarma Electronics Engineer. Traditional Scholar of Mimamsa & Vedanta. |
Going Beyond the Text: Sureshwaracharya’s Taittiriya Varttika |
| 2.30-3.00 PM | Vidwan Shankar Ram Sharma Traditional Vidwan and Techno-Linguistic Scholar at Vyoma Linguistic Labs |
Pratyabhijna and Anirvacaniya-khyati in Mansaollasa |
| 3.00-3.30 PM | Vidwan Abhinand Sharma Learning and Content Development professional |
Characteristics of a Jnani as per Sureshwaracharya’s Panchikarana Varttika |
| 3.30-4.00 PM | Nithin Sridhar Director & Chief Curator, Indica Moksha |
Closing Remarks and Vote of Thanks |
A person’s worldview plays a crucial role in shaping the course of their life. This worldview is built on one’s understanding of the world, which is fundamentally grounded in knowledge.
Tarka Shastra, also known as Pramana Shastra, delves into the processes and means by which knowledge arises. By studying Tarka Shastra, learners develop meta-cognitive skills—the ability to analyze and reflect on how they themselves acquire knowledge. This, in turn, enhances their overall understanding of the world.
The Amarakosha refers to Tarka Shastra as:
आन्वीक्षिकी दण्डनीतिस्तर्कविद्यार्थशास्त्रयोः
Tarka Shastra, or Nyaya Vidya, is also known as Anvikshiki. Chanakya, in his Arthashastra, highlights its importance with the verse:
प्रदीपः सर्वविद्यानामुपायः सर्वकर्मणाम् |
आश्रयः सर्वधर्माणां शाश्वतान्वीक्षिकी मता ||
Anvikshiki is likened to a lamp that illuminates everything within its reach. The concepts and methodologies outlined in Tarka Shastra not only enhance one’s comprehension of other shastras but also provide a foundation for writing them. Many of the technical terms and methods found in Tarka Shastra are employed in the creation of other scholarly texts.
Furthermore, students of Tarka Shastra develop key skills in critical thinking, logical reasoning, debate, and precise definition-making. Chanakya asserts that Anvikshiki, along with Trayi (the Vedas), Varta (commerce), and Dandaneeti (statecraft), are four essential disciplines that everyone should study. The fact that Anvikshiki is listed first highlights its foundational role in understanding the other fields of knowledge.
In this discussion, we will explore how the principles of Tarka Shastra maintain their relevance in the contemporary world, fostering critical thinking and deeper understanding across various domains of knowledge.
Yoga Taravali an important text which enunciates the secrets of practical techniques of Hatha Yoga and Raja Yoga. It is the only text on Yoga attributed to Adi Shankaracharya. The text starts with the fourth Anga of Pranayama providing intricate details of its various stages and effects. Both Sahita and Kevala Kumbhaka and their effects are described as steps towards higher stages of Yoga upto Samadhi. The text also deals with the three Bandhas and their effects. Then, the topic of Kundalini and Samadhi are explained in great detail. Finally Kaivalya or Self Realization is described as the experience of Oneness of Advaita. Thus, Yoga Taravali bridges the gap between Yoga Darshana and Advaita Darshana from an experiential perspective.
Prof. CSR Prabhu will give a comprehensive introduction of this text.
28 September 2024
Morning Session 08:00AM – 09:00AM
Afternoon Session 02:00PM – 03:00PM
India has been a home to a large number of diverse religious, philosophical and spiritual traditions. Hinduism and Buddhism as they stand today are two major religious traditions that emerged in this geography and which share a deep cultural, religious, and spiritual history.
At the core of this religious and spiritual pluralism is the dynamic Indian tradition of Vada or Philosophical Dialogue.
The term Vada is derived from the root ‘vad’ or ‘to speak’ and it has a variety of meanings including dialogue, discourse, thesis, argument, doctrine, discussion, controversy, and dispute, among others. The Indian tradition of Vada can easily be traced back to Vedic literature with the earliest word used to denote philosophical discussion being ‘Brahmodya’ and one of the most graphic examples of this kind of dialogue was the Vada between Yajnavalkya and Gargi.
Highlighting the diversity and pluralism inherent in the Vada tradition, Radhavallabh Tripathi in his ground-breaking book ‘Vada in Theory & Practice’ observes “Vada subsists on diversity. No Vada is possible if there is only one point of view. Also, Vada does not happen in singularity, it always is a prerequisite to the other and mostly promotes the presence of many others. India’s history of ideas and debates presents a multilinear view. The tradition of Vada envisages pluralism.”
One of the best exemplar of this dynamic and pluralistic nature of the Indian Vada Tradition is the Hindu-Budhhist Philosophical Dialogue that happened in the first millenium CE. Tripathi describes it as the “one of the finest examples of intellectual refinement through Vada. As both the sides sharpened their weapons for attacking their adversaries, they enriched and sharpened their own systems of thought and tools of analysis.”
The Hindu schools that participated in this philosophical dialogue were the Darshanas of Nyaya-Vaisheshika, Samkhya-Yoga, Mimamsa, and Vedanta, which are collectively known as Astika Darshanas as they accept Veda as the authoritative source of knowledge. The Buddhist schools that participated in the dialogue were the philosophical schools such as Sarvastivada, Sautranika, Vaibhashika, Madhyamaka, and Vijnanavada.
We wish to shed light on this important aspect of Indian philosophical and intellectual history through a series of Symposiums and talks focussing on Hindu-Buddhist Dialogue.
Towards this end, the present Symposium seeks to highlight the Hindu Darshanas’ philosophical engagement with Buddhist schools and prominent Buddhist doctrines such as Anatta (non-self), Sunyata (emptiness), and Vijnanavada.
##SCHEDULE##
| Time | Speaker | Title of Talk |
| 9.00 AM-9.15 AM | Nithin Sridhar Director & Chief Curator, INDICA Moksha |
Opening Remarks |
| 9.15 AM-10.00 AM | Dr. Nagaraj Paturi Senior Director and Dean IKS Studies, INDICA |
Inaugural Talk – Vaidika-Bauddha doctrinal interface: A review of contemporary studies |
| 10.00 AM-10.30 AM | Vidushi. Maitri Gowswami A Practioner of Pushti-Bhakti-Marg and a Direct Descendent of Mahaprabhu Shri Vallabhacharya |
Satkarantavaad repudiating Shunyavaad : The Vallabhite notion of Existential theory |
| 10.30 AM-11 AM | Dr. Jammalamadaka Srinivas Scholar – IKS Courses, Siddhanta Knowledge Foundation |
Is Advaita Crypto-Buddhist? Exploring the Pracchannabauddha Arguments with respect to Gaudapadacharya and Adi Shankaracharya |
| 11.00 AM-11.30 AM | Prof Godabarish Mishra Professor and Dean, School of Buddhist Studies, Philosophy and Comparative Religion, Nalanda International University. |
Encountering the Buddhist challenges: Vedantic Way |
| 11.30 AM – 12.00 PM | Dr K.S. Maheswaran Namboothiri Assistant Professor, Vedanta Department, Madras Sanskrit College, Chennai |
भामत्यनुसारं योगाचाराणां साकारज्ञानवादनिराकरणम् (Sanskrit Talk) |
| 12.00 PM – 12.30 PM | Vid P R Vasudevan Assistant Professor in Nyaya Department, Madras Sanskrit College , Mylapore |
शास्त्रदीपिकायाम् बौद्धमतदूषणम् (Sanskrit Talk) |
| 12.30 PM – 1.00 PM | Prof. MA Alwar Professor of Nyayashastra in the Govt. Maharaja’s Sanskrit College, Mysuru |
Treatment of Buddhist doctrines in the Sribhasyam of Ramanujacharya |
| 1.00 PM – 1.30 PM | Dr. Ganesh Ishwar Bhat HOD and Professor in Advaita Vedanta Department, Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan in Rajiv Gandhi Campus, Sringeri |
शारीरकमीमांसाभाष्योक्तरीत्या सङ्घातवादविमर्शः (Sanskrit Talk) |
| 1.30 PM – 2.00 PM | Prof. Venkatesha Tatacharya Associate Professor, Central Sanskrit University, Rajiv Gandhi Campus, Sringeri. |
मीमांसाश्लोकवार्तिकानुसारेण योगाचारबौद्धाभिमतस्य विषयशून्यज्ञानवादस्य परिशीलनम् (Sanskrit Talk) |
| 2.00 PM – 2.30 PM | Dr. Sacchidanand Mishra Member Secretary, Indian Council of Philosophical Research |
The Knower in the Nyāya Buddhist debate: Looking through the Nyāya Kusumanjali |
| 2.30 PM – 3.00 PM | Ketu Ramachandra Sekhar Course Development Team, Siddhanta Knowledge Foundation |
Bahyarthavadin Critique by Utpaladeva and Abhinavaguptacarya. |
| 3.00 PM – 3.30 PM | Prof. Bishnupada Mahapatra Professor & HOD, Department of Nyaya-Vaisheshika, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rastriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha, New Delhi |
न्यायशास्त्रदिशा बौद्धाभिमतसिद्धान्तानां निराकरणप्रकारचिन्तनम् (Sanskrit Talk) |
| 3.30 PM – 4.00 PM | Dr. T. Ganesan Director, Center For Shaiva Studies, Pondicherry |
Buddhist Concepts Reviewed And Refuted By The Early Śaivasiddhānta |
| 4.00 PM – 4.20 PM | Dr. Nagaraj Paturi Senior Director and Dean IKS Studies, INDICA |
Summary and Closing Remarks |
| 4.20 PM – 4.30 PM | Nithin Sridhar Director & Chief Curator, INDICA Moksha |
Conclusion and Vote of Thanks |
Success and failure are relative terms. When desires become demands, we think that unless we fulfil them we are not successful. When you practice what is right even though you do not like doing it, and avoid what is wrong, even though you want to do it, you slowly change. Later you find yourself in a position where what is to be done is what you like to do and what is not to be done is what you do not like to do. That is, indeed, a successful life.
Join this insightful talk on Successful Life by Swamini Suprabhananda Saraswati.
July 6th 2024
Morning session 8.00-9.00am | Evening Session 6.00-7.00pm
2-Day Residential Spiritual Retreat
Meditation is in fashion and many techniques of meditation are availble. Here is a chance to sift the chaff from the grain.
Welcome to the 2-Day Residential Retreat on ‘Meditation Demystified’ by Swamini Vimalananda wherein the participants will be treated to a judicious mix of theory and practice of Vedantic Meditation (nidhidhyasana).
It will prove an eye-opener to the beginner and provide deep insights to the experienced practitioner with guidance on how to overcome pitfalls in the journey within. It will also include group discussion, Q-A session and informal interactions with Swaminiji.
Date & timings: Starts on the evening of Friday, August 09, 2024, 5pm and concludes on Sunday, August 11, 2024, 3pm.
Venue: Ritambhara Retreat, No. 69, BMTC Layout, Adjacent to Kammasandra Village, Lakshmipura Hobli.
The Retreat, located just on the outskirts of Bangalore city, is a small beautiful space dedicated to Yoga & spiritual studies and practices in a simple and clean environment adjacent to a farm of its own.
Accommodation: Only shared accommodation will be provided
Food: Simple sattvik food with fresh grown vegetables from the farm
Reaching the Retreat Venue: The venue is about 22 kms from Majestic Bus Stand and is accessible through Magadi Road and Tumkur Road preferably through own vehicles. The retreat center is very close to ‘Kamadhenu Kshetra’ – a highly popular Raghavendra Swamy temple in the last few years. It would take about an hour to reach the retreat venue from the heart of the city. Participants have to make their own arrangements. If any assistance is required Indica Moksha Team will help.
Please Note:
-Precaution and care are being taken keeping in mind the pandemic situation and health advisories. The venue is cleaned and sanitized. Sanitizers and other necessary aids and practices are put in place.
-The participants are mandated to fill and submit the registration form.
-All Participants have to reach the venue by Friday noon as the sessions commence from that evening itself.
-No children below the age of 18 are allowed in the retreat.
-Accommodation would be provided on a sharing basis. No individual rooms.
-No outside food is allowed or available.
-After registration payment link will be shared separately.
Retreat Fee: Rs.8000/-
*Avail Early Bird discount offer: Rs.7,000/- for registration before 30th July, 2024. (Limited seats only)
For more details contact us at +91 7760079475 or email: nithin@advaita-academy.org
Embark on a transformative journey through the timeless wisdom of the Sri Valmiki Ramayana with our Thavaasmi Approach. Immerse yourself in authentic teachings curated for modern living, uncovering intricate nuances and subtleties hidden within the slokas. Engage in enlightening sessions and interactive workshops, fostering self-discovery and reflection. Come with an open heart and mind, ready to explore and grow, embracing the spirit of inquiry.
Retreat Highlights
Date & timings: Starts on the evening of Friday, April 19, 2024, 5pm and concludes on Sunday, April 21, 2024, 3pm.
Venue: Ritambhara Retreat, No. 69, BMTC Layout, Adjacent to Kammasandra Village, Lakshmipura Hobli.
The Retreat, located just on the outskirts of Bangalore city, is a small beautiful space dedicated to Yoga & spiritual studies and practices in a simple and clean environment adjacent to a farm of its own.
Accommodation: Only shared accommodation will be provided
Food: Simple sattvik food with fresh grown vegetables from the farm
Reaching the Retreat Venue: The venue is about 22 kms from Majestic Bus Stand and is accessible through Magadi Road and Tumkur Road preferably through own vehicles. The retreat center is very close to ‘Kamadhenu Kshetra’ – a highly popular Raghavendra Swamy temple in the last few years. It would take about an hour to reach the retreat venue from the heart of the city. Participants have to make their own arrangements. If any assistance is required Indica Moksha Team will help.
Please Note:
-Precaution and care are being taken keeping in mind the pandemic situation and health advisories. The venue is cleaned and sanitized. Sanitizers and other necessary aids and practices are put in place.
-The participants are mandated to fill and submit the registration form.
-All Participants have to reach the venue by Friday noon as the sessions commence from that evening itself.
-No children below the age of 18 are allowed in the retreat.
-Accommodation would be provided on a sharing basis. No individual rooms.
-No outside food is allowed or available.
-After registration payment link will be shared separately.
Retreat Fee: Rs.8000/-
*Avail Early Bird discount offer: Rs.7,000/- for registration before 04th April, 2024. (Limited seats only)
For more details contact us at +91 7760079475 or email: nithin@advaita-academy.org