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Three Vedantic Perspectives On ISHAVASYA UPANISHAD

The Upanishads are primarily concerned with spiritual knowledge and liberation, and they explore questions about the nature of reality, the self, and the universe. They are known for their profound insights and poetic language, and they have influenced countless thinkers and spiritual seekers over the centuries.

The Upanishads have had a profound impact on Indian culture and thought. They have influenced Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, and they continue to be studied and practiced by millions of people around the world.

The Isavasya Upanishad is one of the most important and influential Upanishads. It is a short text, consisting of only 18 verses, but it is packed with profound wisdom about the nature of reality, the Self, and the ultimate goal of human life.

In this talk, the speaker will address these topics:

  1. A quick overview of Advaita, Visistadvaita and Dvaita bhashyas on the Isavasya Upanishad
  2. Highlights of the differences between these three schools regarding the interpretation of this Upanishad.
  3. Can these three views be reconciled? If so, how?

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

THE SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS : A Vedānta Perspective

The Upanishads recognize happiness as the one thing that living beings seek in all of their endeavors. They do not look down at the happiness, which we human beings derive from sense objects, power, position etc. They however point out that lasting happiness is from Self-realization only. Everything else is finite and therefore the happiness from any source other than the Self also is bound in time. It is fleeting and is illusory. The happiness of the Self is our true nature. The Vedānta helps us to remove the ignorance that obstructs our seeing the Self. The Vedanta helps us stay in the Self, as the Self.

The two talks will not only give an outline of the philosophy behind this astounding revelation that we are by nature happiness, but also supply practical tips on the necessary practices that help us unveil the radiant Self.

/ raso vai sah /

The truth of your existence is pure bliss.

Taittiriya Upanishad, Valli 2

Dec 09 & 10 | 10:00AM to 11:30 AM

Symposium On “Contributions Of Śrī Vācaspati Miśra To Āstika Darśanas”

Vachaspati Mishra was a prominent Indian Darshanika who is considered to be one of the greatest literary geniuses that India has ever produced. He was a scholar-par-excellence endowed with encyclopedic learning and exposition skill which he employed to compose authoritative expositions on all Astika Darśanas. His name has been deservedly associated with the honorific title “sarvatantrasvatantraḥ” which is a rare honour conferred only upon literary prodigies.

However, very little is known about biographical details of Vachaspati Mishra. He was born into a Maithil Brahmin family of Mimamsakas in Andhra Tharhi, Madhubani, Bihar and probably lived during the 9th century CE. There is some evidence in Bhāmatī that suggest Vācaspati Miśra as being under the patronage of Nṛga, who was a king of generous nature highly famed for his wonderful deeds.

Vachaspati Mishra has contributed several significant works to different Darshanas.

He made two important contributions to Nyaya-Vaisheshika Darshanas, namely:
(1) Nyāyavārtikatātparyaṭīkā- a lucid commentary on the Nyāyavārtika of Udyotakara which refuted the Buddhist objections to Nyaya Darshana.
(2) Nyāyasūcīnibandha- an attempt at restoring the text of the Nyāyasūtras of Gautama in their proper form and sequence, which had been subjected to severe ill-treatment and distortions by the Buddhists.

His contributions to Mimamsa Darshana includes:
(1) Tattvabindu- is an independent treatise on vākyārtha
(2) Nyāyakaṇikā- is a scholarly commentary on the Vidhiviveka of Maṇḍana Miśra which is an exposition on the nature of vidhi.

On Samkhya & Yoga Darshanas, his works include:
(1) Sāṅkhyatattvakaumudī- is a renowned commentary on on Īśvarakṛiṣṇa’s Sāṅkhyakārikā.
(2) Yogatattvavaiśāradī- is a commentary on Vyasa’s commentary on Pātañjalayogasūtras .

Vachaspati Mishra was a Vedantin and as such he has written a number of works on Advaita including his magnum opus titled ‘Bhāmatī’. His significant Vedanta works include:
(1) Bhāmatī- is the most ancient, complete and elaborate available commentary on Śrī Śaṅkara’s Brahmasūtrabhāṣya. With this work, Vachaspati Mishra started the Bhāmatī School of Advaita.
(2) Tattvasamīkṣā- is a commentary on Maṇḍana’s Braḥmasiddhi.

This Symposium seeks to explore the encyclopedic scholarship of Vachaspati Mishra and highlight his contributions to Astika Darshanas.

Works Consulted:
Sasikumar. B. 2017. Contribution of Vachaspati-Mishra to Samkhya System. Wisdom Library.

SCHEDULE

Time Speaker Title of Talk
10.00-10.10 AM Nithin Sridhar
Director & Chief Curator, Indica Moksha		 Opening Remarks
10.10-11.00 AM Swamini Svatmavidyananda Saraswati
Acharya of Arsha Vijnana Gurukulam based in Eugene, OR		 Inaugural Address: Vācaspati Miśra And Advaita Vedānta
11.00-11.30 AM Prof. Bishnupada Mahapatra
Professor & HOD, Department of Nyaya-Vaisheshika, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rastriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha, New Delhi		 न्यायशास्त्रे आचार्यवाचस्पतिमिश्रस्यावदानम्- Vācaspati Miśra’s Contributions To Nyāya Darśana
11.30 AM-12.00 NOON Dr. Sandeep Kumar Sharma
Traditional Scholar of Nyaya and Vedanta		 वाचस्पतिमिश्राणाम् ख्यातिविमर्श:- Vācaspati Miśra’s Insights On Khyātivāda
12.00-12.30 PM Dr. Jammalamadaka Srinivas
Scholar – IKS Courses, Siddhanta Knowledge Foundation		 Vācaspati Miśra’s Contributions To Sāṃkhya Darśana
12.30 PM-1.00 PM Vid. Karthik Sharma
 Assistant Professor in Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth, Kochi		 सत्कार्यवादव्यवस्थापनम्- Arguments From Sāṃkhyatattvakaumudī To Establish Satkāryavāda
2.00-2.30 PM Dr. Satyanarayanacharya
 Senior Linguist Scholar in the Department of Linguistics, Vyoma Linguistic Labs Foundation		 अद्वैतवेदान्ते वाचस्पतिमिश्राणां वैशिष्ट्यम्- Preeminence Of Vācaspati Miśra In Advaita Vedānta
2.30-3.00 PM Dr. Pushkar Deopujari
 Assistant Professor in Vedanta, Calicut Adarsha Sanskrit Vidyapeetha, Kozhikode, Kerala.		 भामतीनिबन्धस्य महिमा, गरिमा, गभीरिमा च – Decoding Vācaspati Miśra’s Masterpiece
3.00-3.30 PM Dr. Ganesh Ishwar Bhat
 HOD and Professor in Advaita Vedanta Department, Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan in Rajiv Gandhi Campus, Sringeri.		 जिज्ञासासूत्रभाष्यार्थवर्णने वाचस्पतिमिश्राणां स्वतन्त्रः पन्थाः- Vācaspati Miśra’s Unique Perspective On Jijñāsāsūtra Bhāṣya
3.30-4.00 PM Vid. Kuvalaya Datta
 Traditional Scholar of Samaveda & Advaita Vedanta. Teacher of Advaita Vedanta, Datta Peetham, Mysuru.		 भामतीग्रन्थानुसारेण भेदाभेदविचारः- Vācaspati Miśra’s Insights On ‘Bhedābheda’ In Bhāmatī
4.00-4.30 PM Vidwan V Krishna Sharma
Traditional Scholar of Samaveda & Advaita Vedanta. Teacher of Samaveda, Datta Peetham, Mysuru.		 श्रीवाचस्पतिमिश्रमतानुसारेण शास्त्रयोनित्वाधिकरणम्- Sri Vācaspati Miśra’s Insights On Śāstrayonitva Adhikaraṇam Of Brahmasūtra
5.00-5.30 PM Dr. Tulasi Kumar Joshi
 Assistant Professor, Department of Sanskrit, Vasanta College for Women, Rajghat, Varanasi.		 Definition Of Yoga: Perspectives From Tattvavaiśāradī
5.30-6.00 PM Pt. Rajeshwar Vishwasshastri Deshmukh Ghodajkar
Traditional Scholar of Nyaya, Purana, and Vedanga. Teaches Nyaya Shastra at Vedanta Vidyapeetha, Sri Dattadevasthan, Ahmednagar.		 न्यायकणिकायां विधिविचारः – Vācaspati Miśra’s Reflections On Vidhi In Nyāyakaṇikā
6.00-6.30 PM Dr. Janakisharan Acharya
 Dean – Faculty of Darshan in Shree Somnath Sanskrit University		 भामतीदृष्ट्या कर्मणाम् उपयोगः- Bhāmatī’s Enunciation On Karma
6.30-7.00 PM Dr M Jayaraman
 Professor & Dean, Division of Yoga and Spirituality,
SVYASA Deemed University		 Insights On Aṣṭāṅga Yoga From Tattvavaiśāradī Of Vācaspati Miśra
7.00-7.20 PM Dr. Nagaraj Paturi
 Dean IKS, INDICA		 Summary And Closing Remarks
7.20-7.30 PM Nithin Sridhar
Director & Chief Curator, Indica Moksha		 Conclusion And Vote Of Thanks

 

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

Shri Krishna Niti: Krishna’s Strategic Wisdom

How often have you been advised to follow the teachings of Krishna but wondered what those teachings were? Krishna-Niti: Timeless Strategic Wisdom brings forth ten of the most important lessons delivered by Krishna at critical junctures of the Mahabharata. Whether negotiating for peace between the Kauravas and Pandavas, resolving internal conflicts in the Pandava camp, or inspiring Yudhishthira to rule as a Dharmaraja (righteous ruler) at the end of the Kuruskshetra war, Krishna emerges as the strategist par excellence, who is as worldly wise as he is spiritually enlightened. His practical instructions in Niti cover a wide range of subjects such as strategy, ethics, polity, and above all Dharma.

Kushagra Aniket and Nityanand Mishra, draw upon their extensive research into the Mahabharata to present this unique gem of Nitishastra, distilled from the magnificent Itihasa of India.

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