Sphotavada: The Philosophy of Vyakarana

Vyakarana Darsana, or Sphotavada is one of the ancient darsanas. Though Vyakarana is a Vedanga and a necessary tool for other Sastras, is well-studied, the Philosophy of Grammar is not all that well-known. In it’s essensse it posits Sabdabrahman as the ultimate entity, non-different from Atman, and the material and efficient cause of this universe, which is a vivarta of Sabda. In this 4-lecture mini-series Dr. Nori Siva Senani gives a detailed exposition of Sphotavada including it’s central tenets developments and relationship with other Darsanas. The language of the lectures would be English, with Sanskrit quotations from relevant works being shown in Devnagari script. Both the recordings and material presented would be made available later.

Morning Sessions: 11:00AM to 01:00PM | 25 & 26 March 2023

Evening Sessions : 05:00PM to 07:00PM | 25 & 26 March 2023

स्पंदशास्त्र: A Hindi Talk On Shiva’s Divine Pulsation

Spanda Shastra:

Spanda the word literally means slight shake/slight vibration/slight pulsation. In day to day life we can use the word spanda the in the sense of force,creative pulsation,energy of highest reality,power of freedom etc. According to spanda Shastra whole word is a play of energy force vibration or pulsation. Which brings this Shastra to be confirmity with modern science. Spanda Shastra name came from Spandakarika which were written by the Sage Vasugupta. Aacharya Bhatta Kallata and Aacharya Kshemaraja are other two main scholars of this field.

In this talk, the speaker will focus on the origins and various facets of Spandashastra.

Morning Session : 11:00am to 12:30pm, 18 March 2023

Evening Session : 05:00pm to 06:00pm, 18 March 2023

Role of Dharma in the pursuit of Moksha: A Shastric Perspective

In the Vedic context, Dharma has been counted as one of the four components of the Purushartha, the aims of life, and signifies ordinances that are considered to be in accord with Rta, the order that makes life and universe possible.

It includes duties, rights, laws, conducts, virtues, and the right way of living as preached by Vedic scriptures. It has an eternal as well as transtemporal validity to some extent as preached by Vedas, Smruti shastras, Puranas, and Tantras in the hierarchy.

This talk will focus on the format and application of Dharma as preached in these scriptures in various contexts with due respect for attaining salvation.

Morning Sessions : 11:00AM to 01:00PM | 04th & 05th March 2023

Evening Sessions : 05:00PM to 07:00PM | 04th & 05th March 2023

Brahmalakshana: How to Define the World’s Cause

Brahmalakshana

How to Define the World’s Cause

The second Brahmasutra defines Brahman as “that from whence the world’s origin (as well as sustenance and dissolution) take place”. However, various Acharyas, though still adhering to the Advaita philosophy, have adopted differing views regarding what this causalily actually entails. These two talks will present a few of these views and elaborate on their tenets, where they differ, and where they find unity.

Saturday, 25, Feb 2023

Morning Session: 11:00AM to 12:30 PM

Evening Session: 5:00PM to 06:30 PM

Vivaham- Importance and Procedure

Sanatana Dharma emphasizes marriage as a sacrament and not merely a contract.

Marriage as per Vedic thought is a life-long commitment of one wife and one husband and is the strongest social bond that takes place between a man and a woman.

This is a 2-talks lecture series on the importance and significance of Vivaham by Bhuvaneshwari Lakshminarayanan

Lecture 1:
– Overview and importance of vivaham
– Lives of ideal couples from the great Panch Kanyas to Satyavan Savitri to the latest contemporary couples like Bharat Ratna MS Subbalakshmi Amma and Shri Sadashivam.
– Exploring the common thread across these ideal couples.

Lecture 2:
– Rituals and household duties after marriage
– Practical aspects and challenges in:
a) Performance of the rituals
b) Typical challenges of this age

10 minutes at the end of both lectures will be dedicated to addressing any questions from the audience.

Join the talk series now and learn about the institution of marriage as seen through the Bharatiya world-view.

11 Feb 2023 | 10:00 to 11:00AM | 05:00 to 06:00PM

Eternal Wisdom: A Manual to Life

Life thrives on the Principles of Action. Every action has immense potential. We are born to succeed. Not understanding this, one acts impulsively, constantly worrying and reacting. Thereby, one’s actions become impoverished. This causes immense stress and strain which saps one’s energy. Despite having the capability. One does not achieve desired goals. Such actions only lead to frustration and desperation or a life of monotony and boredom. This presentation gives a blueprint of the Eternal Wisdom. By following these principles, one raises one’s inner potential and achieves excellence through Dynamism of Action. Everything in life comes with a manual, so too with LIFE. Science presents the external laws which govern the world. Wisdom deals with the internal laws which govern the individual. Science is organised knowledge, Wisdom is Organised Life.

Morning Sessions

11:00AM to 12:30PM | 04th & 05th FEB 2023

Evening Sessions

05:00PM to 06:30PM |04th & 05th FEB 2023

Atma Vidya Vilasa of Sadashiva Brahmendra

Southern India recognizes and adores Sadashiva Brahmendra as the celebrated composer of divine kirthanas; but not many may be aware he, in his later years, was an Avadhutha, a jeevan muktha who lonely wandered the hills and dales; ran along the river banks, naked or semi-naked, in a state of divine bliss.

He, unmindful of the scorching sun, pouring rain, and blowing chill winds roamed in the wilderness without ever uttering a word; slept under the starry sky; shunned all human contact; and, was ever in a supreme intoxicated state.

Today he is revered not merely for his musical compositions; but also for his sublime Advaita text “Atma Vidya Vilasa”, the most favorite spiritual text of Sri Chandrasekhara Bharathi Swami the 34th Jagadguru of Sringeri Peetha.

The swami, himself an Avadhuta, a week before his passing away, parted with all his meager passions; but retained, on second thought, a copy of Atma Vidya Vilasa till the day prior to his departure.

Join this series of talks by Swamini Svatmavidyananda on Atma Vidya Vilasa of Sadashiva Brahmendra

Link to The Text

Morning Sessions:

10:00AM to 12:00 PM27 January 2023 | 28 January | 29 January 

Evening Sessions:

06:00PM to 08:00 PM27 January 2023 | 28 January | 29 January 

Shatka Sampatti: The Six Kinds of Spiritual Wealth

Shatka Sampatti: The Six Kinds of Spiritual Wealth

Series of talks on the topic by Swami Chidrupananda

The sAdhana chatuShTaya is described by Shankara in the vivekachUDAmaNi as follows:

Adau nityAnityavastuvivekaH parigaNyate |
ihAmutraphalabhOgavirAgasttadanantaram ||
shamAdiShaTkasampattiH mumukShutvamiti sphuTam || – Verse 19.

The first discipline is the discrimination between the Real and the unreal. The next discipline is detachment or dispassion from the enjoyment of the world here and after death (heaven). The third discipline is the practice of the six behavior traits – shama, dama, uparati, samAdhAna, shraddhA, and titikShA; the fourth discipline is the intense desire for escape from this saMsAra or realization of the divinity in her or him.

In this 2-part weekend with wisdom series we focus on shamAdi ShaTka sampatti which includes – shama, dama, uparati, samAdhAna, shraddhA, and titikShA.

The sessions will be taken up by Swami Chidrupananda of Chinmaya Mission

21 & 22 Janunary 2023 | 11:00AM to 01:00PM

Jnana Meets Bhakti

Jnana Meets Bhakti

Perspectives From Brahma Sutras & Narada Bhakti Sutras

Jnana Yoga is like crossing a river by swimming. Bhakti Yoga is like crossing a river by boat. The Jnani asserts and expands. The Bhakta dedicates and consecrates himself to the Lord and contracts himself.

Jnana Meets Bhakti, a series of Two Talks juxtaposing Jnana Yoga and Bhakti Yoga through the perspectives from Brahma Sutras & Bhakti Sutras

19 & 20 Janunary 2023 | 06:00PM to 08:00PM

Session Details:
Session 1
Jnana – Based on Adi Shankaracharyas Adhyasa Bhashya in Brahma Sutra
What is knowledge of the Self and why is there a need for it? Can one live without it? What are the challenges in acquiring and abiding in the knowledge of Truth?

Session 2
Bhakti – based on Narada Bhakti Sutras
What is devotion and why is there a need for it? Can one live without it? How does it help one in the path of knowledge? What happens when Jnana meets Bhakti?

Join this series of two talks by Brahmacharini Shubhani Chaitanya

SPIRITUAL RETREAT | SHAKTODAYA

2-day RESIDENTIAL
SPIRITUAL RETREAT

SHAKTODAYA

Dawn of Supreme Goddess

This retreat will focus on

Dhyana , collective stotra chanting and discussions about Her tattva and some shakta philosophy

Description of Shakti – The Divine Mother

Shakta , the one who worships Shakti as Divine Mother , opens the inner doors of realising Her immanence in all of Prakriti. Prakrit involves Sadhaka’s own nature , svabhava.  To come in contact with Her presence in our own nature and thus make Her grace the firmament on which edifice of life is built is the central aspiration of the seeker of this path. We learn to adore all life as auspicious reflection of Her tattva, principle. In trials and tribulations of life , joys and exalted moments, we seek Her Divine touch. We learn to see her Mulaprakriti from whom trigunas emanate.

The Details of the Retreat are as follows:

Date & timings: Starts on the evening of Friday, February 10, 2023, 5pm and concludes on Sunday, February 12, 2023, 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.6000/-

*Avail Early Bird discount offer: Rs.5,000/- for registration before 31st Jan, 2023. (Limited seats only)

For more details contact us at +91 7760079475 or email: nithin@advaita-academy.org