Ravi Ranganathan Podcast

This episode covers the final few verses of chapter 13 which talks about brahman, the ultimate reality. This is followed by chapter appreciation. 

The creation aspect discussed in chapter thirteen is seen in different angles by different Indian darsans. Therefore chapter 13 gets two appreciation episodes. In this episode, as part of chapter appreciation, sAnkhya kArika and ishvara tattvam are covered. Episode 62 will cover creation as described in kashmir saivism.  

Episode 59 has the first part of what is purusha and prakriti.

Episode 58 discusses about jnAnam and jNeyam - The knolwedge and what is to be known.  What is to be known is kshetrajna covered in the previous episode. It is knowing who we really are.

As part of knowledge, twenty means of accomplishment are covered. These twenty means of accomplishment covers the ultimate human goal and how to achieve that goal. As part of what is to be known Bhagavan covers who is kshetrajna and how it achieves the performance of all actions. The subtlety of kshetrajnA is explained in nine different ways using a paradoxical language.

Episode 57 starts chapter 13. In this episode we have introduction to the chapter and what is kshetra and kshetrajna. 

This episode gives a recap of chapters ten through twelve.

Episode 52 gave an intro to the chapter on bhakti (devotion) and explained two out of five levels of devotion. In episode 53 Bhagavan keeps coming down to our levels step by step and gives three more levels of devotion. Nothing in this seems to match what most people think devotion means. After that Bhagavan explains what qualifications one must have to become dear to Him. You be your own judge.

Through out the year, the hindu calendar is full of religious activities. Especially during Navarathri community engages in a lot of activities - golu and pujas in homes and temples, festivals and concerts, garba dances, visiting each other's home and interacting with friends and more. This is a very colorful period of the year. This period is celebrated as a period of devotion next only to mArgazhi in TN. Considering this period is celebrated by all parts of India and also abroad, one can say this is more a broad based celebration. But what exactly is devotion? Is it just chanting mantrAs, slokAs and visiting temples or something else? What is bhakti (devotion), not from the point of view of purAnas but from the point of view of tattvas (truth) as explained in the sanAtana dharma philosophical texts like upanishads and BG? Is bhakti under sanatana dharma same as bhakti in western religions? Follow episodes 52, 53 and 54 to get an idea of what is devotion, the various levels of devotion and who is dear to Bhagavan. Be ready for a shock! All the traditional ideas about bhakti will be thrown out!