Kathopanishad

When a movie is played at a cinema hall, it is projected onto a blank screen. Likewise, what appears to be real in our lives is in fact only a ‘projection on the screen’. What is real is only the blank screen. Everything else that comes and goes is false.

Likewise, we are like a blank screen on which different roles are projected. In this episode, Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai methodically instructs us on the panchakosa-viveka to bring us slowly to the Truth of who we really are. 

ātman is the screen, which does not change. This is the fundamental truth of all existence.

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

https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP11

aṇoraṇīyān
It means subtler than the subtlest.

This is a word that Yama uses when explaining that the Truth cannot be taught or understood when just anybody talks of it.

It will only be understood when one who has experienced it speaks. The truth is subtler than the subtlest. It requires some thinking and withdrawal to be understood.

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

https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP10

The ignorant man continuously chases after everything that is temporary.

In this episode, Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai teaches that out of the temporary, the permanent cannot be attained. Temporary attainments can only give temporary results. A castle of sand is as temporary as the sand itself. 

Nachiketa clearly understood this. And that is why he did not yield to the tricks of Yama to get him to stop asking him for the Truth.

Understanding the core Truth of vedanta is the only path to permanent bliss.

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

https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP9

One of the most important teachings is shared by Yama to Nachiketa in this episode. The concept of two paths that appear before man at all times. śreyaḥ and preyaḥ.

preyaḥ is the path that appears pleasant, but is essentially not good for the seeker.

śreyaḥ is the path that is good for the seeker, although it may appear to be unpleasant at first.

Both of these bind you, as the seeker. Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai lovingly explains how one should proceed when faced with these two paths ahead of them.

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

https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP8

Through the example of Nachiketa, and using anecdotes from other stories such as dialogues between Emperor Janaka and Rishi Astavakra, as well as from the Narada Bakthi Sutras, Sadrugu Sri Madhusudan Sai instructs us on the essential qualities of a spiritual seeker.

Sadguru also clearly explains to us the meaning(s) of the word upaniṣad and how it relates to the changes within us as we study the kathopaniṣad.

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

https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP7

Many times, Sadguru has declared that His favourite character from the upaniṣads is the young Nachiketa.
 
In this episode, Sadguru gives us a clear indication of why this is so.  Sadguru says that even though Yama tries to tempt the young Nachiketa using a multitude of techniques and an array of distractions, he could not succeed in tempting him. Anyone else in Nachiketa's position would have yielded long before this point, falling for these temptations.

Sadguru says that if we could all become Nachiketas, (even if we emulate just one percent of his curiosity and his determination), we would be able to cross this sea of māyā easily.

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

https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP6

Using the analogy of a computer, Sadguru beautifully explains the four aspects of the mind, namely –

मनस् manas – a collection of all kinds of thoughts
बुद्धि buddhi – the ability to discriminate, analyse, and come to a decision
चित्त citta – memory, storage
अहंकार ahaṁkāra – identification

The body follows what is collectively dictated by these four aspects of the mind.

Having described this, Sadguru then shares how to attain a pure, good mind, with pure thoughts, pure intentions leading to pure actions.

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

https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP5

Although in this day and age, vedantic texts are accessible easily through various mediums at the touch of a button, the Truth as taught in vedanta, is not to be taken lightly.

In the past, spiritual seekers had to prove their readiness and make great efforts in order to be deemed worthy of receiving the knowledge from their gurus.

In this episode, Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai describes in detail, the seven important qualities of such a spiritual seeker as described in another one of the ten principle upaniṣads – the praśnopaniṣad.

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

https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP4

oṁ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ ॥

During vedic or prayer invocations, it is common for it to conclude with the chanting of three shantis. When one recites three shantis, each shanti is dedicated specifically for one of the three types of sufferings that every human being endures during their lifetime.

tapa means difficulty and traya means three. The three types of sufferings are ādhibhautika (related to the body), ādhidaivika (related to the gods/mind) and ādhyātmika (related to the soul).

Swami beautifully explains how Yama teaches the young Nachiketa about That which is beyond these three types of suffering.

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

https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP3

In the Gita, Lord Krishna says “The one who has śraddhā alone is entitled to knowledge.”

Through the Kathopanishad, we are shown the qualities which the young Nachiketa embodies – these are the qualities that all seekers of the Truth should imbibe.

Further, Sri Adi Shankara says, “In the śāstras, the scriptures, and in the guruvākya, whatever the guru tells, whoever has sattva buddhi, pure mindedness, who believes in that, such a person is called śraddhāvān.”

In this episode, Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai clearly elaborates on the five qualities which every student of the divine Truth should personify.

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

https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP2