Kathopanishad

With a steady mind and a discriminating buddhi, the senses can be kept under control and one can attain the Self by learning to withdraw slowly. This whole life is about withdrawal within, Sadguru says. The worldly path is about turning outside, while the spiritual path is turning inwards.

In this episode, Sadguru describes in depth the seven levels of withdrawal which starts with controlling the senses, the mind and the buddhi and finally leading to the realisation of the Self.

If you'd like to get the links and shownotes for this episode, visit:

https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP30

The strength of the mind consists of two aspects: its purity and its steadiness.

A pure mind that is not steady is of no use.

An impure mind that is steady is dangerous.

Hence, in this discourse, Sadguru emphasises that purity and steadiness are the nobility and ability of the mind. Both have to be practised so that once can attain the highest exalted state of existence, where the next birth will not happen again.

If you'd like to get the links and shownotes for this episode, visit:

https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP29

It is said that the pull of the indriyas are so strong like the wind that blows away the boat in the middle of the sea – making it almost impossible to control the boat. They are so strong that they can steal away the strength of the mind, as illustrated by the example of the chariot representing the body and the horses representing the senses. Once control is given to the horses, the passenger will be taken for a ride, as the horses will stray wherever they please.

In the Gita, Bhagawan Krishna describes the ‘eight steps to destruction’ – a detailed sequence of eight stages through which a seemingly harmless thought of an object that pleases the senses, can lead to one’s buddhi losing control completely. Thus it is important for one to understand why the body, the senses and the mind have been gifted to us by God. Not to enjoy pleasures and make merry (as the world may think), but rather, only to realise God.

If you'd like to get the links and shownotes for this episode, visit:

https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP28

Generally, there are three types of people in this world. The kind who are just motivated to only fill their own bellies and satiate their senses fall in the category of tamo-buddhi. Those who try to succeed at the cost of harming others, motivated by selfish ambitions fall under the category of rajo-buddhi. The third type of person is of the sattva-buddhi kind who are motivated to use their body and senses to serve God.

In this discourse, Sadguru describes each type in detail, but also describes the one who is beyond these three types – who having crossed the dreadful ocean of birth and death, help others also to cross the same, without any motive whatsoever.

If you'd like to get the links and shownotes for this episode, visit:

https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP27

How does one transform from body consciousness to divine Consciousness?  Yama uses a most beautiful metaphor of a chariot, to illustrate the answer to this question – wherein the chariot is the body, the horses are the senses, the reins are the mind, held together in the hands of the buddhi (intellect) who is the charioteer steering the chariot, in which sits the ātman as the passenger.

The same symbolism is used to explain the story of how Arjuna and Duryodhana both sought varying kinds of support from Bhagavan Krishna. While Duryodhana asked for Krishna’s horses and army (senses and the mind), Arjuna asked only for Krishna to be his charioteer (buddhi to take  control completely of whatever horses are given to Him). Swami describes that this is how Duryodhana came to ruin, while Arjuna emerged victorious.

If you'd like to get the links and shownotes for this episode, visit:

https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP26

A little child may be taught that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, even though in reality it is understood that the earth is the one revolving around the sun. However, in order to help the child understand, it is easier to first introduce the topic in this manner.

Likewise, according to advaita vedānta, only one exists. Yet, to reach a stage where one is firmly convinced of this Truth of oneness, one must first go through a phase of understanding that there are two – the jivātman and the paramātman. The kaṭhopaṇisad  brings us step-by-step through this process, while leaving it entirely open to one’s own discrimination.

If you'd like to get the links and shownotes for this episode, visit:

https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP25

Within a deep, secret cave, two reside, enjoying all that goes on externally.

Who are these two and why do they hide? In this episode, Sadguru explains how the upaniṣad now introduces the concept of jīvātman. In the episodes thus far, all the concepts of the Source, the one Truth, has consistently been pointing to That one which exists inside and outside, travels everywhere, yet never goes anywhere, never gets destroyed, was never born and will never cease to exist.

Now, the concept is introduced that within the body, That one brahman exists also as the jīvātman.

If you'd like to get the links and shownotes for this episode, visit:

https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP24-2

In this episode, Sadguru revises the most important ślokas found in the first two vallis of chapter one of the kaṭhopaniṣad, as were covered in the episodes thus far. Swami expresses that these key ślokas are worth memorising and that when one memorizes them, one carries the knowledge within themselves forever – not having to depend on external materials, photocopies or books.

This revision of ślokas also serves as a complete recap of the upaniṣad so far.

If you'd like to get the links and shownotes for this episode, visit:

https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP24-1

Unless the mind is free from all wants and desires and thinking of the past, or worrying about the future, and is focused entirely on attaining brahman, one cannot even think about attaining brahman. This is why mastering the mind is so important – to train the mind to focus on only one thing and not jump onto too many different things.

When our mind gets attracted to the higher thought of God and focusses on God alone, everything else will go out of focus. Sadguru says, “Clean up your mind, steady it, focus it and don’t even have the constant restless desire that you must attain brahman, just be. And if you can achieve this, that’s when this realisation comes to you.”

If you'd like to get the links and shownotes for this episode, visit:

https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP23

“How will you come to know God?” Sadguru asks.

When you desist from doing wrong things, when you keep your minds pure, desires in control, mind fully absorbed in brahman, and are able to remain calm without any expectations or desperation to realise brahman.

Do your best, and leave the rest to God to decide. When, where, how It has to be revealed, God alone knows best.

If you'd like to get the links and shownotes for this episode, visit:

https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP22