CHINMAYA SHIVAM

Introduction

Aren’t Puranas just a bunch of weird mythical stories!

Srimad Bhaagwatam is not just a Purana but a Mahapuran and one must have earned a lot of “punya”

to be able to even listen to it!

Yes, Puranas are mystical literature, but to understand them in their full significance one has to have a

deep understanding of Vedantic philosophy otherwise they will seem to be just weird stories. Even the

word “Bhaagwatam” has deep meaning.

Why was it written in the form of stories?

Everyone loves stories. Srimad Bhaagwatam has beautiful stories about the Lord, Sri Krishna, which

have a lot of symbolism to invoke devotion and remove all our misconceptions. Its main objective is to

absorb the mind in the Lord and bring about surrender.

For whom was it written?

Anyone and everyone! Certain qualifications are required to understand the deep philosophy of

Vedanta. Bhaagwatam on the other hand is for everyone, be it a small child, a scholar, a sinner or a

devotee. Everyone benefits from it because Bhakti does not require any qualification other than love

which we all have in abundance our hearts.

Srimad Bhaagwatam begins with an Invocation and the Mahatmayam:

Invocation Sat-chit-anand is the Swaroop or nature of Bhagwan. Non duality is core of Bhagwatam.

Mahatmayam – is to extol the glory of Bhaagwat. When we know the glory of something we will not

under value it. Through stories of Shukdev Maharaj’s birth, his dispassion, Shaunaka rishi’s questions,

Suta ji’s replies etc we gain an insight into the magnificence of this great katha! Narad ji; who was he

really – a mischief maker or a great missionary?!

The glory of the 7 day saptah has also been explained through the story of Praikshit’s death. If one

listen’s to it in 7 days one too will get mukti like Parikshit.

How does one prove the existence of Consciousness? Does the body function on it own? Why is there a need for Consciousness? Our perceptions and experiences are dissected in the Mantras 3,4 of Chapter 2 Valli 1 to understand the existence of Consciousness.

Children in spirituality run behind the world of objects and get trapped in the net of Death that is spread all over. The wise person having known the Self, does not seek the Permanent in the temporary, having risen above all the three types of desires - Putra, Vitta and Loka-eshana. Desire for Progeny, Wealth and fame.

The Self is Subtler than the Subtlest. A sharp and subtle intellect is required to know the Self. What are the obstacles to this? Our senses are created extroverted by default. Hence, Majority of us live in indulgence. A wise person, desiring the Self, turns within. What is extrovertedness and what is introvertedness is discussed here.

Many problems we face in life are due to the ego. We take things personally, get attached and suffer. As long as ego is there, suffering is natural. Bhagavad Gita presents practical ways to overcome ego in our daily life and finally establish ourselves in our True Nature -Pure Bliss & Ecstasy.

Deep within, each of us feels lonely. There are many escape routes we take to avoid this feeling of loneliness. A spiritual seeker faces this loneliness and replaces it with Giving love. we all want love but we helplessly wait to receive love. Shrimad Bhagavad Gita helps us to evolve from Loneliness to Aloneness to love. Poojya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda said - "To love and to be loved is the greatest privilege of life".

When we lack confidence, we are weak. We victimise ourselves and feel that life is too overwhelming and difficult. To face the challenges of life, Sri Krishna says - "Lift yourself by yourself. Do not condemn yourself # In this talk we will discuss the causes of inferiority complex, why we lack confidence? How to become confident? What is the role of inspiration and a higher ideal in invoking our dormant potential.

Bhagavad Gita says- "Our Mind is our best friend and our worst enemy" All of us have a mind but what makes us all different? Its the texture of the mind. The mind swings between extremes, it goes through different moods and is restless. Bhagavad Gita inspires us to master the mind and achieve balance of mind through the analysis of the three gunas - Sattva(Peace), Rajas(AHachment) & Tamas(lgnorance). It gives practical tips to overcome Tamas & Rajas and increase Sattva.

Modern life is characterised by stress. Everyone seems to be stressed out. We even believe -"stress is good because it pushes us to act and achieve. H "Stress is the price one pays for success." But the Bhagavad Gita tells us how we can be successful yet stress-free. We need to invoke inner strength to achieve this. Sri Krishna gives a SIMPLE formula for stress, applying which we can invoke holistic inner strength, be successful and happy.

What is Avyakta? Why is Purusha greater than Avyakta? Are avyakta, pradhan, maya, prakriti etc. same? The Self is hidden in the heart. What covers the Self? Why is it not easy to know it? Who can know the Self?