Upadesha Sara Of Ramana Maharshi

2-day Residential Retreat

Upadesha Sara Of Ramana Maharshi

Upadesa Sara

Vedanta is a deep and serious subject and to explain this in simple terms is a difficult task. Through the composition Upadesa Sara, Bhagavan Ramana Maharishi has succeeded in presenting this serious subject in an extremely simple and lucid manner. This is a short text but it contains the highest knowledge. It contains the essence of the Vedantic teaching in a simple and beautiful way. It comprises of 30 short verses. The author talks about all the spiritual Sadhanas in 4 levels in the form of karma yoga, Bhakti yoga, Yoga (ashtanga yoga) and jnana yoga. A spiritual seeker has to follow all the 4 yoga compulsorily & systematically and attain spiritual enlightenment. This text will open eyes of even the Grihastha or Brahma Chari to gain a perfect equipoise in one’s worldly life.

The Details of the Retreat are as follows:

Date & timings: Starts on the evening of Friday, January 05, 2024, 5pm and concludes on Sunday, January 07, 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 25th December, 2023. (Limited seats only)

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

Contextual Meaning Of Yoga In Bhagavad Gita

It is a commonly held belief that Bhagavad Gita is easier than the Upanishads. But in reality, Gita is not that easy to understand. In Gita, often, the same word is used in different verses with completely different meaning. We find this happening with important terminologies such as Yajna, Yoga, Samkhya, Jnanam, etc. Therefore, it is rightly said that to understand entire Gita we need to understand verse by verse and to understand each verse we need to have the overall view of Gita.

In this “Weekend With Wisdom”, Swamini Sadvidyananda ji is going to explore the meaning of word “Yoga”, contextually. Though the word is somehow connected to the Yoga by Muni Patanjali, it has completely different connotations in different chapters and verses of the Bhagavad Gita. So let us embark to see it through the eyes of the teaching of Lord Krishna.

Some verses that will be covered will include 2.48, 2.50, 4.1-3, 6.23, 6.33, 6,36, and 6.44-47 from the Bhagavad Gita.

Morning Session : 14 Oct 2023 |11:00AM to 01:00PM

Evening Session : 14 Oct 2023 | 04:00PM to 06:00PM

Introduction To Avadhuta Gita

Avadhuta Gita is an advanced text of Advaita ascribed to Sri Dattatreya. In Avadhuta Gita the author asserts and exclaims the nature of One Self, the only One Reality or Advaita. This assertion is based out of experience Spiritual Enlightenment and not just a theoretical doctrine.

The declarations of One Self encompassing everything assert the Jnana of Advaita Vedanta from a Yogic or Spiritual Perspective. These can be studied in depth and remembered again and again so as to be of immense benefit for those traveling on the path of Jnana Yoga Sadhana towards Self Realization.

Morning Session : 01 Oct 2023 | 08:00AM to 10:00AM 
Evening Session : 01 Oct 2023 | 02:00PM to 04:00PM

Bhakti As Per Sri Vallabhacharya

Mahaprabhu Shri Vallabhacharya emphasised upon Bhakti being originated from the Ananda attribute of Brahman and from the very grace of lord Shri Krishna. This concept is depicted in his teachings through the term Pushti as a pre-fix to Bhakti which primarily finds it’s origin in the Upanishads, Bhagawad Gita and its ultimate expression in Shrimad Bhagawatam.

In this Weekend with Wisdom, the speaker will be focus upon discussing various modes of Bhakti starting from Samhita of Vedas and Upanishads practiced for Atmalabha to Pauranic format of Navadha Bhakti, Tantriki Bhakti, Bhakti as a limb within Vidya Shakti of Bhagawan along with it’s salient features which is to be distinguished from Pushti Bhakti primarily; thereby concluding upon the Bhagawatiya mode of Nirguna, Nirupadhika and Nirhetuki Bhakti as enunciated by Shri Vallabhacharya.

Morning Session : 08AM to 10AM | 16.09.2023

Evening Session : 02PM to 04PM | 16.09.2023

Love Songs Of The Bhakti Poets: Theology And Metaphysics

2 Day Residential Retreat

Love Songs Of The Bhakti Poets

Theology And Metaphysics

After the period of the three primary Acharyas, Shankara, Ramanuja and Madhwacharya, with the prolific rise of the Bhakti movement, there emerged across the length and breadth of the country, men and women of great strength and realisation who used the languages of the people and the medium of song, to spread intense love and devotion towards an ‘Ishtha Deva’ or a beloved deity. This cult of devotion was both erotic and esoteric at the same time, with emphasis on the aspects of ‘Saguna Parabrahma’ or a deity who was an epitome of beauty and all favourable attributes. These schools of thought came to be known as the Schools of Bhakti Vedanta, with highly developed principles of Theology and Metaphysics.

This retreat aims at exploring various compositions of over twenty poets of the Bhakti era, who wrote and sang in different languages and dialects. Beginning with the pioneering Jayadeva Kavi and his Gītagovindam, I will be discussing the components of theology and metaphysics contained within the songs of poets spanning all four quarters of the Indian Subcontinent, including Annamacharya, Ramadas, Purandaradasa, the Marathi quartet (Gyaneshwar, Namdev, Eknath, Tukaram), Surdas, Tulsidas, Mirabai, Bihari, Raskhan, Chandidas, Vidyapati, Narayana Teertha, to name a few.

Musical renditions for some select compositions, by Ajeissh Menon.

It will be a two and half days of exploring and immersing oneself in the power of love and surrender.

The Details of the Retreat are as follows:

Date & timings: Starts on the evening of Friday, October 06, 2023, 1pm and concludes on Sunday, October 08, 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.8000/-

*Avail Early Bird discount offer: Rs.7,000/- for registration before 30th September, 2023. (Limited seats only)

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

Symposium On Multifaceted Writings Of Sri Appayya Dikshita

Sri Appayya Dikshita was one of the most outstanding scholar, philosopher, poet, and a ritualist to have walked on the sacred land of Bharat. He lived in 16th century CE and has the unique distinction as being a great Acharya of both Advaita Vedanta and Shivadvaita. He is in fact counted among the three great Dravida Acharyas of Advaita Sampradaya along with Adi Shankaracharya Bhagavadpada and and earlier teacher who is only known from quotations of other authors. Appayya Dikshita is also considered as belonging to the venerable trio of Shivadvaita along with Srikanta Sivacharya and Haradattacharya.

Appayya Dikshitar was born in Adayapalam, near Ami in the North Arcot district, in 1554 A.D. His father’s name was Rangarajudhwari. Appayya had the name Vinayaka Subramanya when Namakarana ceremony took place. Acharya Dikshitar or Acchan Dikshitar was the younger brother of Appayya. Appayya studied the the Shastras under Guru Rama Kavi and completed the fourteen Vidyas while he was quite young. He was also known as great performer of Vaidika Yajnas including Yajnas such as Soma and Vajapeya.

Appaya Dikshita was a scholar-par-excellence and he travelled widely, entering into philosophical disputations and controversies in many centers of learning. The greatness of his scholarship can be known from the fact that he authored more than a hundred and four works, very profound and in-depth works, representative of all branches of knowledge in the Sanskrit language and literature including Vedanta, Shivadvaita, Mimamsa, Vyakarana, Kavya, Alankara, and devotional poetry.

Some of his prominant works on Vedanta include Siddhanta Lesa Sangraha, Nyaya Rakshamani, and Kalpataruparimala. Important Shivadvaita works include Sikharani Mala and a commentary on it titled Shiva Tattva Viveka, Sri Sivarka Mani Dipika, and Anandalahari Chandrika.  Vidhirasayana and a commentary on it titled Sukhopayojini, Upakrama Parakrama, and Purvottara Mimamsa Vada Nakshtra Mala are among his notable works on Mimamsa. His work Chatur Mata Sara Sangraha
captures in four sections, the four schools of Vedanta – the Dvaita, the Visishtadvaita, the Sivadvaita, and the Advaita.

This Symposium seeks to explore the multifaceted writings of Sri Appayya Dikshita and highlight  the width and depth of his scholarship, as well as bring out unique aspects of his works.

SCHEDULE

Time Speaker Title of Talk
9.00-9.10 AM Nithin Sridhar
Director & Chief Curator, Indica Moksha
Opening Remarks
9.10-10.00 AM Veda Brahmasri Mahamahopadhyaya Mani Dravid Shastrigal
Renowned scholar of Advaita Vedanta, Mimamsa, Vyakarana, and Nyaya Shastras. Professor, Mimamsa Department, Madras Sanskrit College, Chennai
Inaugural Address
अप्पय्यदीक्षितानां शिवभक्तिः- Appayya Dīkṣita’s Sublime Devotion To Bhagavān Śiva
10.00-10.30 AM Dr K.S. Maheswaran Namboothiri
Assistant Professor, Vedanta Department, Madras Sanskrit College, Chennai
अप्पय्यदीक्षितेन्द्रै: कृतो मीमांसाशास्त्रपरिष्कार:- An examination of Appayya Dīkṣita‘s works on Mīmāṃsā
10.30-11.00 AM Vidwan Karthik Sharma K
Assistant Professor in Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth, Kochi
पूर्वोत्तरमीमांसयोः ऐकशास्त्र्ये परिमलस्थाः युक्तयः-Arguments from Parimala to establish the single domainship of Pūrva and Uttara Mīmāṃsā
11.00-11.30 AM Dr. Jammalamadaka Suryanarayana
Senior Project Manager at Sidhhanta Knowledge Foundation, Chennai and Adjunct Faculty, MIT Institute for Indic Knowledge Studies – Pune.
Jīva and Īśvara: Exploring vedantic principles in Siddhāntaleśasaṃgraha
11.30 AM-12.00 NOON Vidwan V Subramanian
Retired employee of Reserve Bank of India. Traditional scholar of Advaita Vedanta.
Śrīrāmāyaṇa-tātparya-sārasaṅgraha-stotram of Śrī Appayya Dīkṣiteṃdra (Kannaḍa talk)
12.00-12.30 PM Dr. Srinivas Jammalamadaka
Director, School of Shastric Learning, Kavikulaguru Kalidas Sanskrit University, Ramtek
Appayya Dīkṣita’s views on eligibility for Karmānuṣṭhāna related to Brahmavidyā
12.30-1.00 PM Dr. Kuppa Bilwesa Sarma
Assistant Professor, Department of Prachina Vyakarana, Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi
अप्पय्यदीक्षितोक्ताः व्याकरणविशेषाः- Some highlights from Appayya Dīkṣita‘s treatment of Vyākaraṇa
LUNCH BREAK 01:00PM to 02:00PM
2.00-2.30 PM Dr M Gokulakrishna Aiyar
Ayurvedic Physician & Student of Samskrta Sahitya
Śrīmad Appayya Dīkṣiteṃdra as an upāsaka: Glimpses from his Śivārcanācandrikā 
2.30-3.00 PM Vidwan Kuvalaya Datta
Traditional Scholar of Samaveda & Advaita Vedanta. Teacher of Advaita Vedanta, Datta Peetham, Mysuru.
शिवाद्वैतानुसारेण अथातो ब्रह्मजिज्ञासा इति सूत्रव्याख्यानं- Interpretation of ‘athāto brahmajijñāsā‘ as per Śivādvaita
3.00-3.30 PM Vidwan V Krishna Sharma
Traditional Scholar of Samaveda & Advaita Vedanta. Teacher of Samaveda, Datta Peetham, Mysuru.
सिद्धान्तलेशसंग्रहानुसारेण चिच्चातुर्विध्यप्रक्रिया- Appayya Dīkṣita‘s enunciation on 4 types of consciousness
3.30-4.00 PM Dr. Ganesh Ishwar Bhat
HOD and Professor in Advaita Vedanta Department, Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan in Rajiv Gandhi Campus, Sringeri.
अप्पय्यदीक्षितदिशा आनन्दमयाधिकरणसूत्रार्थचिन्तनम् – Interpretation of Ānandamayādhikaraṇa Sūtras according to Appayya Dīkṣita
4.00-4.30 PM Vidwan K Giridhara Sarma
Electronics Engineer. Traditional Scholar of Mimamsa & Vedanta.
RatnatrayaparīkṣāAppayya Dīkṣita‘s accommodative engagement with different philosophies.
4.30-5.00 PM Dr. Tulasi Kumar Joshi
Assistant Professor, Department of Sanskrit, Vasanta College for Women, Rajghat, Varanasi.
सिद्धान्तलेशसङ्ग्रहे ब्रह्मलक्षणविचारः- Definition of Brahma as per Siddhānta-leśa-saṃgraha
5.00-5.45 PM Prof. Penna Madhusudan
Professor of Sanskrit, Dean, Kavikulaguru Kalidas Sanskrit University, Ramtek, Maharashtra
Valedictory Address
Appayya Dīkṣita: The Philosopher and Commentator Par Excellence
5.45-5.55 PM Dr. Nagaraj Paturi
Senior Director & Chief Curator, INDICA
Summary And Closing Remarks
5.55-6.00 PM Nithin Sridhar
Director & Chief Curator, Indica Moksha
Conclusion And Vote Of Thanks

 

सांख्य दर्शन : Hindi Talk On Philosophy Of Realization

Samkhya(सांख्य) the word derived from सं + √ख्या meaning to calculate, to enumerate. It also means to enquire, to think, and to speculate. Samkhya Darshan is a very ancient Darshan according to which the Reality is composed of Purusha and Prakriti, which are independent of each other. This makes Samkhya Darshan dualistic in nature. Kapil Muni was the main propagator of this philosophy. Other important teachers and scholars of this philosophical school include Aasuri, Panchashikh, Ishwar Krishna and Vachaspati Mishra. In this talk series, the speaker give a brief overview about Samkhya Darshan, its origin and important philosophical tenets.

Morning Session : 10AM to 12PM

Evening Session : 05PM to 07PM

सांख्य दर्शन : Hindi Talk On Philosophy Of Realization

Samkhya(सांख्य) the word derived from सं + √ख्या meaning to calculate, to enumerate. It also means to enquire, to think, and to speculate. Samkhya Darshan is a very ancient Darshan according to which the Reality is composed of Purusha and Prakriti, which are independent of each other. This makes Samkhya Darshan dualistic in nature. Kapil Muni was the main propagator of this philosophy. Other important teachers and scholars of this philosophical school include Aasuri, Panchashikh, Ishwar Krishna and Vachaspati Mishra. In this talk series, the speaker give a brief overview about Samkhya Darshan, its origin and important philosophical tenets.

Morning Session : 10:00AM to 12:00PM, 26 Aug 2023

Evening Session : 05:00PM to 07:00PM, 26 Aug 2023

Introduction To Ashtavakra Samhita

The Ashtavakra Samhita is a great text of Advaita Vedanta. It is a conversation between Ashtavakra and Janaka.

Janaka the King of Mithila seeks Moksha .Ashtavakra enlightens Janaka through a most illuminating logical conversation at the end of which Janaka becomes Jivanmukta.

This talk series will introduce the audience to the text.

Morning Session : 08:00to 10:00 AM, 20 Aug 2023

Evening Session : 05:00 to 07:00 PM, 20 Aug 2023

Glory Of Lalitha Trishati

Lalitha Trishati is one of the foremost maala mantras in which 300 names of the main shakti Sri Maharagni Lalitha Mahatripura Sundari is enumerated. Lalitha Trishati gives Sampoorna Tattva of Srividya which is Atmavidya and Mahavidya. This tremendous maala mantra has come from Sri Hayagriva who is Sri Mahavishnu Himself and who gave the upadesa to Agastya Maharshi by the orders of Bhagavati. The entire conversation between Sri Hayagriva and Agastya Maharshi is captured in Lalithopakyanam. This maala mantra explains Tri-kutas and how one should continue in the Bhakti Marga to attain Kaivalya in Bhagavati’s feet.

The Glory of Bhagavati Mahatripura Sundari as one who grants both worldly pleasure (Bhoga) and final liberation (Moksha) is captured in this verse:

यत्रास्ति भोगो नहिं तत्र मोक्ष:
यत्रास्ति मोक्षो नहिं तत्र भोग:
श्री सुन्दरी सेवन तत्पराणां,
भोगश्च मोक्षश्च करस्थ एव।

In this Weekend with Wisdom talks, Sri Manikanta Somayaji Terala will discuss Lalithopakhyana, the greatness of Lalitha Trishati, and will shed light on few names from Lalitha Trishati.

Morning Session : 10:00AM to 12:00PM

Evening Session : 04:00PM to 06:00PM