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An Exploration in Universality and Confidentiality

New Testament Gospels—Matthew, Mark,

Luke, John Acts of the Apostles Letters: Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians

1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon Hebrews James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude Revelation

Four books are enough1. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the

land of Egypt,out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods

before me.2. You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the

form ofanything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth

beneath,or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow

down tothem or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a

jealous God,punishing children for iniquity of parents, to the third and

fourthgeneration of those who reject me, but showing steadfast

love tothe thousandth generation of those who love me and

keep mycommandments.3. You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the

Lord yourGod, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his

name.4. Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy . . .

The Ten Commandments5. Honor your father and your mother, so that

your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

6. You shall not murder (kill).7. You shall not commit adultery.8. You shall not steal.9. You shall not bear false witness against your

neighbor.10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house;

you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

—Exodus 20:2–17

Problems with Biblical scriptures

As the soldiers and the mob tauntedthe dying Jesus, he prayed: “Father,

forgivethem, for they know not what theydo.” (Luke 23:34) Finally, after hours ofunbearable pain, he cried out, “My God,my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”(Matthew 27:46) Then he died.

Eucharist“While they were eating, Jesustook a loaf of bread, and after blessing it hebroke it, gave it to the disciples, and said,‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ Then he tooka cup, and after giving thanks he gave it tothem, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you, forthis is my blood of the covenant, which ispoured out for many for the forgiveness ofsins.” (Matthew 26:26–28)

A Call for HumilityBlessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of

heaven.Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessedare the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are

those whohunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be fi lled.Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed

are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for

they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted

for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of God.—Matthew 5:3–10

St Augustine“Thou has made us for thyself, O

Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee.”

He said that God must be our highest interest, and when that is the case then the next in line is our soul, then our body, then external things. We attain peace, then, only when all things are in their proper place.

Popularity of ProtestantismStressed direct relationship with

GodUsed vernacular languagesFocussed on direct reading of the

Bible with no intermediariesEndless interpretations – 50,000

sects and more

Christianity – Social Contributioins

Catholicism: Jesuit Schools – Modern

UniversitiesProtestantism:The Work Ethic of AmericaThe Downplaying or Denial of

Celibacy

The Spiritual FallSpiritual Hierarchy:God <- God’s words <- God’s priests

Reformation: Reject Representatives of God

(Scientific)Enlightenment: Reject the Word of God

Evolutionary Naturalism: Reject God himself

The Spiritual FallFrancis Xavier (1506–1552), proudly described his mission

method in one of his letters that he sent to his superior Ignatius:

“I would gather all the boys of the village and go to the place where they had made and worshipped the idols; and then the dishonour heaped on the devil was greater than the honour paid to him by the parents and relations of the boys at the time when they made and venerated the idols. For the boys would take the idols and break them to tiny pieces, and then they would spit on them and trample them under foot and do other things which perhaps it is

better not to record in detail, thus showing their contempt for the one who had the impertinence to demand the veneration of their fathers.”

Three ApproachesCondemnation: Eg XavierIrrelevance:Fulfillment: egJ. N. Farquhar (1861–1929) Outline of the Religious

Literature of India is a comprehensive,sympathetic, and widely acknowledged survey of

Hindu texts. In The Crown of Hinduism, he explains the relationship between Christianity and Hinduism in terms of fulfillment, a view that was widely adopted by other

Christian writers

The Spiritual FallSpiritual Hierarchy:God <- God’s words <- God’s priests

Reformation: Reject Representatives of God

(Scientific)Enlightenment: Reject the Word of God

Evolutionary Naturalism: Reject God himself

Chronology988: 1054: Catholic and Orthodox

churches excommunicated each other

& Sadhana (bhakti)established through BG & IshoSadhya & Sadhana explained

through NoD & NoI

Chronology

The fourcountries with the largest

Muslim communities are Indonesia,

Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh—all in Asia.

Chronology

Sunnis are majority MuslimsShias form a majority inIran and are represented by

large communities in Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, and India

The Western expansion of Islam:

The invasion of Spain in 711 and the spread of the Moors into southern France, where they were repelled by Frankish ruler Charles Martel in 732. Spain itself was finally recaptured only in 1492, when the army of King Ferdinand of Aragon and Queen Isabel of Castile retook Granada.

The Crusades, beginning in 1095 and lasting until 1291, pitted Muslims and Christians in battles

The invasions of Austria and Croatia by the Ottoman Turks in the late 17th century also portrayed Turkish Muslims as barbaric and uncivilized.

Muhammad Ibd Abd Allah- 570 - Born, - 595 - Married to Khadija, - 610 - Quran revelation begins, - 619 - Hijra to Taaif, death of uncle Abu Talib

& Khadija, - 622 - On to Medina with Abu Bakr, 624 -

won at Badr, - 625 - lost at Uhud, - 630 - regained Mecca, - 632 - Died

Termsulama - learned ones, umma - community,shirk - associating anything with

God, tafsir - Quranic explanation,Sharia - The collection of religiouslaws and duties known.

Quran114 chapters (suras) comprised of

verses (ayas)Surat al-Fattiha: first sura of the

QuranYa-sin: 36th sura recited at deathThe longest chapter contains286 verses, the shortest only three.

Terms

ulama - learned ones, umma - community,shirk - associating anything

with God, tafsir - Quranic explanation,

CaliphsDeath of the prophet Muhammad: 632First caliph: Abu Bakr: 632–634Second caliph: Umar ibn al-Khattab: 634–

644Third caliph: Uthman ibn Aff an: 644–656Fourth caliph: Ali ibn Abi Talib: 656–661Fifth Caliph: Muawiyah -Umayyad dynastyFollowers of Ali – Shias All others - Sunnis

BuddhaToday Buddhism is the majority

religion in Thailand, Mongolia, Cambodia, Myanmar (formerly Burma), Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Tibet, Laos, Vietnam, Japan, Taiwan, and Singapore.

The majority of the people in one U.S. state—Hawaii—is Buddhist.

BuddhismBuddha: c 563-483 BCLife recorded 500 years after

death.20 – Married Yashodara, son Rahula29 – Charioteer Channa took for a

ride35 – Severe austerity

The Eightfold Path1. Right opinion2. Right intentions3. Right speech4. Right conduct5. Right livelihood6. Right eff ort7. Right mindfulness8. Right concentration

BuddhismThe Buddha prescribed Five

Precepts, :1. To refrain from taking life.2. To refrain from taking what is not

given.3. To refrain from sexual misconduct.4. To refrain from false speech.5. To refrain from intoxicating things

that cloud the mind.

Tri-Ratna of Buddhism

A Tibetan proverb sums upthe Three Jewels: “The

Buddha is the great physician; the dharma is the remedy; thesangha is the nurse who administers the remedy.”

Total world rejectionIt would be better . . . if your penis had

entered the mouth of a terrifying and poisonous snake than a woman’s vagina. . . . It would

be better . . . if your penis had entered a charcoal pit, burning, blazing, aflame, than a woman’s vagina.

Vinaya III.20–23, attributed to the Buddha

Spread of BuddhismAshoka 270 BCE.Banned animal sacrifice, became

vegetarianAsoka’s missionaries went as far west

as Syria, Egypt, and the Greek worldMilinda in 155 BCE – Nagarsena

conversation

Buddhism – Vaishnava perspective

"Lord Buddha incarnates at a time when the peo ple are most materialistic, and he preaches commonsense religious princi ples."

Buddha Predicted?Then, in the beginning of Kali-

yuga, the Lord will appear as Lord Buddha, the son of Aïjanä, in the province of Gayä, just for the purpose of deluding those who are envious of the faithful theist.

Buddhism divisionsTheravada (Hinayana): Older, Arhat is

the ideal (3 lives)Mahayana: Later “revelations” after

several centuries, Boddhisattva is the ideal

Vajrayana: 7th century AD – Hevaraja Tantra

Zen: No philosophical baggage, just experience

Sikhism history

1469: Birth of Guru Nanak1500: Enlightenment during

a three day disappearance 1539: Death after travelling

throughout India and also to Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

Sikhism historyThe 10 Gurus of Sikhism(1469–1539) Guru Nanak(1504–52 became guru 1539) Guru Angad(1479–74 became guru 1552) Guru Amar Das(1534–81 became guru 1574) Guru Ram Das(1563–1606 became guru 1581) Guru Arjan(1595–1644 became guru 1606) Guru Hargobind(1630–61 became guru 1644) Guru Har Rai(1656–64 became guru 1661) Guru Har Krishan(1621–75 became guru 1664) Guru Tegh Bahadur(1666–1708 became guru 1675) Guru Gobind Singh

Guru Granth Sahib 1,430 pages long and is written entirely

in verse. It is the longest book of rhymed poetry in the world.

Gurmukhi script, a script devised specifically for the purpose of recording the gurus’ words.

Guru Granth SahibThe Sikh Gurus(1469–1539) Guru Nanak: 974 hymns(1439–1552) Guru Angad: 62 couplets(1552–74) Guru Amar Das: 907 hymns(1574–81) Guru Ram Das: 638 hymns(1581–1606) Guru Arjan: 2,218 hymns(1664–75) Guru Tegh Bahadur: 59

hymns and 56 couplets(added by Guru Gobind Singh (1675–

1708)Hindu BhaktasKabir: 292 hymns and 243 coupletsFarid: 4 hymns and 130 coupletsNamdev: 60 hymnsRavidas: 41 hymnsJaidev: 2 hymnsBeni: 3 hymns

Trilochan: 4 hymnsParmananda: 1 hymnSadhana: 1 hymnRamananda: 1 hymnIslamic SufisDhanna: 4 hymnsPipa: 1 hymnSain: 1 hymnBhikhan: 2 hymnsSur Das: 2 hymnsSundar: 1 hymnMardana: 3 coupletsSatta and Balvand: 1 hymnBhatts: 123 swaiyyas (quatrains)

SikhismThe fundamental principle of

Sikhism is, “There is only OneBeing and Truth is its Name”—

in Punjabi, Ikk oan kar sat nam.

Three Principles: Seva, Langar, Sangat

Foundation of KhalsaGuru Gobind Singh inherited at age 9Two Swords: Piri & Miri

Sikhism historyAmogha: Çréla Prabhupäda, in Sikhism

there was Guru Nanak and Guru Granth Sahib. Is that actually a real scripture, and was Guru Nanak actually a devotee? Or is that not correct?

Prabhupäda: They created a system of religion which can include Hindus and Muslim. That was at the time needed. But that is not a good system of religion.

Blend of Hinduism & Islam

Accept Karma & Reincarnation, chanting of holy names, goal of liberation,

Reject Caste System, Idol Worship, Authority of Vedas, Renunciation

Blend of Hinduism & Islam

Polemic: “you are wrong”Irenic: “both of us have so

many similarities”Apologetic: “I am right”

Ishopanishad OverviewLent (period beginning 40 weekdays before

Easter): an annual season of fasting and penitence in preparation for Easter.

Good Friday (Friday before Easter): the commemoration of the crucification of Christ.

Easter Sunday (Sunday after Good Friday): celebrates Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead.

Ascension Day (40th day after Easter): celebrates the ascension, or rising of Christ to heaven.

Pentecost (seventh Sunday after Easter): commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples.

Invocation OverviewSPoG is the Complete Absolute Truth

(p1)Mat world is complete (p2)Human form offers complete facility

(p3)Sense gratification – illusory

completeness (p4)Dev service – real completeness (p5)

Isho 1 OverviewGlory of Vedic knowledge (p1-2)How the Lord is the proprietor of

everything (p3-4)Eg of one’s quota in nature (p5)Eg of quota in human possession of

the earth (p6-8)Eg of quota in human diet (9-10)Live according to ishavasya (11)`

Isho 2 OverviewHow karma-bandhana causes death (p1)Human life offers liberation through

akarma (p2)Vedas lead ultimately to akarma (p3)Begin by bringing God into sense-

gratificatory life (p4)Wo God, everything is in vain (p5)Make all atruisms into karma-yoga (p6)`

Mantra 3 OverviewWho is a demon? (p1)Who is a soul-killer? (p2)Liberate the soul, don’t kill it (p3-6) If don’t use higher facilities of human form, then

have to live worse than animals in this life and go to hell in the next (p3)

Even failure in liberating the soul brings glorious result, what then to speak of success (p4)

Modern “politicians” as demons (p5) Solve all problems forever (p6)

Gita 4.181. Karma: 4 meanings:= Any activity in general= Specific type of activity: fruitive activity= Reaction to action= System of action-reaction Akarma: 2 meanings: = Inactivity= Activity that brings no reaction

Gita 4.181. Karmany akarma yah pashyed (akarma:

no karmic reaction)See in external activity, no karmic reactionEg. Arjuna’s fighting leads to no karmic

reaction2. Akarmani ca karma yah (akarma: no

external activity)See in external inactivity, karmic reactionEg. Arjuna’s silent meditating leads to

karmic reaction (3.6)

Who is an asura? Asura is not just a species,

but also a mentality 16th chp description of

demoniac nature

Who is an atma-ha? Use of figurative

expressions Mukhya-vritti (abhida-vritti)

vs Gauna vritti (lakshana-vritti) (eg. 2.69)

Kill soul’s real life (11.20.17)

Gauna-vritti should supplement, not supplant, mukhya vrtti

Eg. Bhaktivinoda Thakura: Chaitanya Shikshamrita

Eg. Vedanta Deshika: Ramayana commentary

Eg. Madhavacharya: Three levels of meaning:

1. Literal 2. Ethical 3. Metaphorical

Prabhupada uses gauna-vritti

The Hare Krishna Explosion – Hayagriva Pr: “We are also in a kind of chariot with

Krishna. That chariot is this material body, and within the heart Lord Krishna is present as the Supersoul, witnessing all our activities.” Paraphrasing Srila Prabhupada, the author further writes, “He then reminds us that we should never fret when confronted with adversities, for we should always know that Lord Krishna is driving our chariot.”

Prabhupada uses gauna-vritti

Symbolically, mother Devaki's constant fear of Kamsa was purifying her. A pure devotee should always fear material association, and in this way all the asuras of material association will be killed, as the sad-garbhasuras were killed by Kamsa. It is said that from the mind, Marici appears. In other words, Marici is an incarnation of the mind. Marici has six sons: Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada and Matsarya (lust, anger, greed, illusion, madness and envy). The Supreme Personality of Godhead appears in pure devotional service. This is confirmed in the Vedas: bhaktir evainam darsayati. Only bhakti can bring one in contact with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared from the womb of Devaki, and therefore Devaki symbolically represents bhakti, and Kamsa symbolically represents material fear. When a pure devotee always fears material association, his real position of bhakti is manifested, and he naturally becomes uninterested in material enjoyment. When the six sons of Marici are killed by such fear and one is freed from material contamination, within the womb of bhakti the Supreme Personality of Godhead appears. Thus the seventh pregnancy of Devaki signifies the appearance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. After the six sons Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada and Matsarya are killed, the Sesa incarnation creates a suitable situation for the appearance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In other words, when one awakens his natural Krsna consciousness, Lord Krsna appears. (SB 10.2.8 p)

How humans abuse higher intelligence

"The human being is endowed with a higher, advanced stage of consciousness for

getting relief from the existence of material miseries, but due to his

ignorance he thinks that his higher consciousness is meant for advancing in the

material comforts of life. Thus his intelligence is misused in the animal

propensities—eating, sleeping, defending and mating—instead of spiritual

realization.">>> Ref. VedaBase => SB 3.10.26

Mantra 4 OverviewAT can’t be understood by speculation

(p1)Revelation helps us und God and his

energies (p2)Energies nondifferent yet different (p3)As we are limited, we can und unlimited

only thru his revelation (p4-5)Play your part and you will be given und

(p6-7)

Brahman vs mat worldIs matter: Different from brahman?Part of brahman?Nonexistent?Totality of brahman?

Achintyatva Achintya vs anirvachaniya Conceive the

inconceivable for our own purification

Bhakti is Radharani

The Progressive Revelation of Bhakti

Ramanuja: Continuous recollection of God Love is a kind of knowledge, bhakti – sadhana and phala

Madhva: Strong emotion of love accompanied by knowledge of God’s majesty

Nimbarka: Special kind of love, sadhana & phala

Vallabha: Love, Maryada and Pushti

The Progressive Revelation of Bhakti

Jiva Goswami: Bhakti is the essence of God’s int potency of bliss, which is his most important potency.

Gaudiya Vaishnavism: Unparalleled sweetness

sadhu-saìga, nama-kirtana, bhagavata-

shravanamathura-vasa, shri-murtira shraddhaya

sevana

Mantra 5 overview Supreme must be inconceivable

(p1) How AT is far yet near? (p2) The Science of Deity Worship (p3-

6) Nirguna yet saguna (p7) How the Lord pervades

everything yet is separate (p8-9)

Mantra 6 OverviewKanishtha a (p1)Madhyama a (p2)Uttama a (p3)Oneness – False vs Real (p4-7)

Adhikara and adhikari

Level Faith Knowledge

Uttama Yes Yes

Madhyama

Yes No

Kanishtha No No

Oneness – False vs Real (p4-7)

Bodily oneness is false (p4)

Accept bodily diversity, realize spiritual unity

A comparison of Socio-economic systems Capitalism

Allows wealth to determine position and powerWealthy exploit the needy.Cutthroat competition and insecurityEverybody is greedy for money, so everybody is dissatisfied.

CommunismImposes artificial material equality Talented are not rewardedPeople become lethargicMost people live in scarcity and so stay dissatisfied

Caste sysIntegrates absolute spiritual equality of all people with their relative material diversitiesAs everyone is engaged according to their natures, they work diligently and happily and society gets max benefit

The Basic Principle Underlying Varnashrama

Spiritually everyone is equal

Materially everyone is different

Oneness – False vs Real (p4-7)

Anupashyati – see acc to shastra (p5)

Shastra has one message (p6)

Liberated person’s vision is truly beneficial (p7)

Mantra 7 OverviewOneness between energy and energetic

eg. fire (p1)Oneness is in quality, not quantity eg.

Drop - ocean (p2)Oneness in interest brings enjoyment

eg. Family, nation (p2-3)Separate interests cause shoka & moha

(p4)Become one in interest with God (p5-6)

Oneness Realizing our Oneness in quality with

God brings detachment Subordination in quantity

to God brings humility

Bhagavan & his shakti Eg. 1. Fire and light Eg. 2 Sun: Sun god – Krishna; the fiery radiance around its orb –

Svarupa-shakti; its rays – tatastha shakti; sun’s reflection – bahiranga shakti

Bhagavan & his shakti Achintyabhedabheda eg. “Fire burns” Fire same as yet different

from the power of burning

Rasa Dance Unity amidst individuality No utopia

Mantra 8 OverviewAkayam - Unembodied & Ashnaviram –

Without veins (p1-2)Shukram – Omnipotent (p2-4)Yathatathyato arthan… - Fulfiller of

desires (p5-6) Paribhuh – Supreme (p7)Svayambhuh – Self-sufficient (p8)Shuddham – Antiseptic & Apapa-

Viddham - Prophylactic (p8)

Na tasya pratima.. Svetasvatra Upanishad (4.19) is “No one can grasp Him above,

across, or in the middle. There is no likeness of Him. His name is Great Glory.”

na tasya pratima: Baladeva V’s translation: "Nothing can compare with the

transcendental form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead."

Understanding the Maha-Vakyas

prajïänaà brahma: “Brahman is consciousness.” (Aitareya Upaniñad, 3.1.3)

ahaà brahmäsmi: “I am Brahman.” (Båhad-äraëyaka Upaniñad, 1.4.10)

tat tvam asi: “That thou are.” (Chändogya Upaniñad, 6.8.7)

ayam ätmä brahma: “This Self is Brahman.” (Mäëòükya Upaniñad, 1.2)

Vadanti verse: Passing the Referent

Absolute Truth

Bhagavan

Paramatma

Brahman

Imperishable Reciprocal Supplier

Qualification + Bestowal Karmavada vs Daivavada Be the most daring

beggar

Shuddham Svakiya vs Parakiya Chaya-gopis – Jiva

Goswami

Ishopnishad flow Mantras 2-3: consequences of living in

harmony and disharmony with ishavasya principle

Mantras 9-11, 12-14: Elaboration of same theme

Mantra 9 OverviewWhy vidya < avidya? (p1)Avidyam upasate (p2-4)Vidyayam ratah (p4-9) Godless modern education (p4) Veda-vada-ratah (p5-8) Mayayapahrita jnanah (p9)

Avidyam upasate (p2-4)

Forgetfulness of ishavasya principle is avidya

The profitless pursuit of sense gratification is the worship of avidya

Modern godless education (p4)

To be in ignorance is bad To be in ignorance and to claim to

be in knowledge is worse eg. Non-theistic scientists

To be in ignorance and to claim to be in knowledge and to condemn real knowledge as ignorance is worst eg Atheistic scientists

Veda-vada-ratah (p5-8) Gita (2.42-43, 9.20-21)

karma kandis Mistake side issue in Vedas

as their ultimate purpose Misguide people,

misinterpret Vedas: tato bhuya iva te tamoh

Mayayapahrita Jnanah (p9) Brahmavadis (12.4-5): don’t know

about Bhagavan Mayavadis (9.11-12): Imagine

Bhagavan to be a temporary manifestation of brahman

Sanatana dharma – God’s personal descent – Unique boon made into unique bane by imposters

Mantra 10 OverviewVidya leads to desirable

qualities (p1-2)Avidya leads to undesirable

qualities (p2-5)Only a dhira can teach

vidya (p6-9)

Avidya leads to undesirable qualities

(p2-5) Students – no amanitvam, no

shaucam (p2) Students grow up to be:1. Scientists - no ahimsa (p2)2. Pseudo-religionists – no

adambhitvam (p2)3. Nationalists (p4-5)

The American Paradox – Dr David Myers

Since 1960, ·The divorce rate has doubled. ·The teen suicide rate has tripled. ·The recorded violent crime rate has quadrupled. ·The prison population has quintupled. ·The percentage of babies born to unmarried

parents has sextupled. ·Depression has soared—to ten times the pre–

World War II level.

Mantra 11 OverviewAmrutam ashnute: Immortality is impossible

materially eg. Hiranyakashipu (p1-5)Immortality possible only by following Krishna’s

teachings (p6-14)Krishna comes to make us immortal (p6-7)Sense gratification binds us to mortality; so

restrict it (p8-9)Avidyaya mrtyum tirtva – Harmonize mat needs

with sp adv thru apara dharma (p10-11)Vidyaya amrutam ashnute – Attain immortaliy

thru para dharma (p12-14)

Kaitava Dharma Anything short of pure

devotional service can satisfy neither Krishna nor the soul.

The Glory of BhaktiKarma – Abuse senses

Karma – Abuse senses for mat

purposeNatural, but

bindingBhakti – Use

material senses for spiritual purpose

Natural & Liberating

Jnana – Reject senses for either

mat or sp purposeNon-binding, but

unnatural

Mantra 12 OverviewEven demigods and rishis

misunderstand the Abs Truth to be impersonal (p1-3)

Demigod worshipers stay in the dark material world (p4-7)

Impersonalists who mislead people go the darkest regions of hell (p7-10)

Why Upanishads are difficult to understand?

Verse no

Asambhuti

Sambhuti

12 Demigods Impersonal Abs

13 Anything other than SPoG

SPoG

14 Knowledge of mat w

Knowledge of SPoG

Why Demigod Worship? Service for materially-minded

devotees Multi-level options for spiritual

advancement acc to one’s modes Expression of Krishna’s ultimate

non-enviousness and compassion

Dangers of MayavadaMayavada is a dangerous hodgepodge khichadi

made with: Grains of impersonalism drawn from the

Upanishads Sugar of social service taken from Christianity Spice of nationalism taken from the Indian

Independence Movement Envy of Krishna from the hearts of the

conditioned souls

History of Mayavada Upanishads as a stepping stone in the Vedic

masterplan Where impersonalists are right – and where they go

wrong Mat forms and varieties -> mat desirees ->mat

miseries Vayavaharika : anything that talks about form and

variety Paramarthika: anything that talks about formlessness Medieval spread of Mayavada Modern boost and twist to Mayavada Disasters caused by Mayavada

Disasters caused by Mayavada

Deprives soul of his natural higher taste of bhakti

Makes mat life appear more attractive than spiritual life

Mantra 13 OverviewDhira exposes folly of “all paths lead to the

same goal” (p1)Dhira teaches shastra: different paths lead to

different goals (p2-4)Accept Krishna as sambhavat? (p5-8) Yes? Arjuna. Kills so-called relatives to satisfy

Krishna (p9) No? “People are my god” or “I am God” (p10-

12)Hearing from dhira helps one and all to attain

perfection (p13-16)

Mantra 14 OverviewVinashena: Nothing – not even science –

can make this world deathless (p1-2)Sambhutim ca vinasham ca: Vedas give

info about death-filled and death-free world (p3-6)

Sambhutyamrutam ashnute: Only by surr to Krishna can we transcend death (p7-9)

Give up misconceptions to attain immortality (p9-11)

Living vs non-living

Living Non-livingBirth CreationGrowth Deteriortati

onMaintenance

Destruction

ReproductionDeteriorationDeath

Mantra 15 OverviewPushann: Krishna is the basis of

Brahman and Paramtma(p1)Satya dharmaaya drishtaye: How

Krishna reveals Himself beyond the brahman (p2-5)

How the ultimate revelation of Bhagavan comes only by bhakti (p6-10)

Bhagavan is the ultimate revelation

Process Level of God realizaiton1 Sankhya AT as matter (Elements of

m.w) 2 Jnana AT wo potencies

(Brahman) (only sat aspect)

3 Yoga AT with only mat potencies (Paramatma) (sat-cit)

4 Bhakti AT with mat and sp potencies (Bhagavan) (sat-cit-ananda)

AT with only mat potencies

Bhagavan is the ultimate revelation

Process How it leads to bhagavan thru bhakti

1 Sankhya 7.4-7, 18.55

2 Jnana 7.19

3 Yoga 6.14-15, 6.47

4 Karma 3.9, 3.30

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Mantra 16 OverviewVyuha rashmin: Beyond Brahman is Bhagavan

(p1-2)Kalyana-tama: Bhagavan is the most

auspicious realization (p3-4)Pusann – How the Lord maintains the devotees

and everyone and everything else (p5)So ‘ham asmi – How the living entity is one yet

different from the Lord(p6-7)The favor of the Lord sought by this prayer is

fulfilled in pure devotional service (p8)

Mantra 17 OverviewThe material body is a foreign dress that must be

given up (p1-3)The best way to give up the body is by surrendering

to the Lord – not by going to the brahmajyoti (p4-5)

The importance of the last thought(p6-7)Krishna never forgets our service to Him (8-9)Krishna’s mercy is ever-available thru dev service

(p10-11)Bhag elaborates this verse – and all other verses

(p12)Prepare for death by dev practice (p13-15)

Mantra 18 OverviewHow obstacles on the spiritual

path originate (p1)Achieving perfection – the

gradual way and the quick way (p2-4)

How the omnipotent Lord guides a devotee (4-8)

Ishopanishad Overview1. Invocation and Verse 1 to 3: Isavasya principle,

harmony and disharmony2. Verse 4 to 8: Who is the Isvara?

a. Verse 4 to 5: Inconceivable of Isvarab. Verse 6 to 7: Spiritual vision of mahabhagavatac. Verse 8: How mahabhagavata understands the Isvara

3. Verse 9 to 14: Understanding and misunderstanding the Isvaraa. Verse 9 to 11: Vidya (personal knowledge) and avidya

(material and impersonal knowledge)b. Verse 12 to 14: Demigod worship vs worship of Supreme Lord

Verse 15 to 18: Prayers to Isvara to reveal Himself

Rise and fall in KC Akarma – Rapid elevation by KC

Karma – Gradual elevation by karma-

kanda

Vikarma – Degradation due to vikarma