This podcast explores key teachings from the Ashtavakra Gita, focusing on self-inquiry, the illusion of ego, and the nature of pure consciousness. Partho, using Vedantic analogies like the rope and snake, emphasizes that our suffering stems from identifying with the ego and the false notion of being the doer. He further states that true liberation comes from realizing the universe is a projection within consciousness and embracing one's true nature as blissful, detached awareness, beyond thought, intellect, and perception.00:00 Trailer 00:06 Recap of previous episodes00:57 Vedantic analogy of rope and snake 02:02 Establishing true identity as pure consciousness05:08 The serpent of egoism07:49 Burning the forest of ignorance08:42 Understanding Supreme Bliss13:34 How is universe imposed on consciousness? 17:13 Conviction without knowledge: Sharradha and Gyaan20:55 Nature of Janak’s intellect 22:30 Symbolism of Ravana’s 10 heads 26:09 Going deeper into physics and matter30:10 Future education and coming back to Vedanta

In this episode, the discussion centers around two key shlokas from the Bhagavad Gita that outline the yogi’s path to self-realization. Partho explained how Sri Krishna advises gradually withdrawing from worldly attachments using focused intelligence, ultimately resting the mind in the Self. Concepts like aparigraha (non-possessiveness), desirelessness, and akaki (being alone with oneself) are highlighted as essential steps in this inward journey toward union with the divine.00:00 Trailer 00:06 Shlok chanting 00:18 The Two Shlokas Chosen01:52 Solitude and Self-Mastery04:55 Desirelessness Beyond the Senses07:55 Shloka Verses 25 08:35 Step-by-Step Withdrawal from the World09:46 Establishing the Mind in the Self 13:17 Krishna to Arjuna on withdrawing senses 16:56 The Yogi’s State vs. The Path to Yoga19:17 Final Reflections & Takeaway

This podcast explores a key Mahavakya from the Bhagavad Gita, emphasizing that all beings, even the wise, are driven by their Prakriti—the interplay of the three gunas (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas). The discussion between Partho and Kunal moves toward discerning the Divine Will behind Prakriti, culminating in liberation. Partho talks about Sri Aurobindo’s Integral Yoga, which seeks not just realization but also the transformation of human nature through divine consciousness.00:00 Trailer 00:06 Shlok chanting 00:20 Segue into today’s Mahavakya02:15 Gunas of Prakrati 05:10 Power of the three Gunas 10:48 State of Highest Wisdom in the Gita12:40 Brahma Nirvana and Liberation from Nature16:48 Avoiding Conflicts in the Mahabharata 17:57 The Grand Symphony of the Gita20:22 Sri Aurobindo’s Integral Yoga25:28 Why Sri Aurobindo’s Yoga Becomes Primary

In this episode, Kunal and Partho explore the radical non-dual teachings of the Ashtavakra Gita, focusing on verses 5 to 7. Through the dialogue between Ashtavakra and King Janaka, they discuss the illusion of identity, the non-existence of caste, roles, and dualities like dharma-adharma, and the idea of being the eternal, unattached witness. Partho also states self-realization as the recognition that one is pure consciousness, beyond mind, matter, and all worldly constructs.00:00 Trailer 00:06 Shlok chanting - Verse 5 00:13 Recap of previous episodes01:20 Verse 5: "Belongingness"03:38 Shlok chanting - Verse 6 03:44 Verse 6: "Beyond dharma and adharma"05:54 Dharma in Bhagavad Gita vs Ashtavakra Gita10:34 Witnessing Consciousness15:00 Shlok chanting - Verse 7 15:06 Verse 7: "Misidentification of Bondage"20:02 Closing reflections

In this podcast, Partho and Kunal explore the core teachings of the Ashtavakra Gita, highlighting its radical simplicity and directness. Ashtavakra’s dialogue with King Janaka emphasizes self-realization over intellectual understanding, urging detachment from sensory and material identifications. The early verses alone offer the full essence of Vedanta: the self is not the body or mind, but pure consciousness. The conversation also touches upon the deeper spiritual implications of inquiry, surrender, and transcending worldly illusions.00:00 Trailer 00:06 Key aspects of Ashtavakra’s teachings02:22 Janaka’s Question to Ashtavakra on liberation04:01 What Is the Atma?05:20 Disidentification from the Material07:44 Ashtavakra's statement to Janaka 09:25 Radical approach to Ashtavakra Gita 10:49 Senses and Mind as Barriers14:12 Self-Inquiry as a practice 16:17 Meditative reading instead of Intellectual reading 18:37 Shlokas Reiterating the Core Message20:00 Academic approach & Janaka in Ramayana22:30 Kaliyug and cosmic method behind chaos

This podcast explores a significant Mahavakya from the Bhagavad Gita, focusing on the path to inner peace through detachment from desires and ego. The discussion between Kunal and Partho emphasizes living the Gita’s teachings in daily life, moving from intellectual understanding to deep self-inquiry. Partho further examines how transcending the "I, me, mine" mindset leads to spiritual growth. Towards the end, the speakers also discuss the challenges of renouncing desires while actively participating in the world, leading to true self-realization.00:00 Trailer 00:06 Mahavakya from Chapter Two: The Path to Desirelessness03:29 Living the Gita While Engaging in the World06:24 Breaking Down Ego: Recognizing Its Subtle Forms10:06 The Illusion of ‘Being Ego-Free’12:34 Thought of "I, Me, Mine" 16:46 Why Do People Struggle to Give Up Desires?19:25 Spiritual expansion of Consciousness 20:40 Necessary to Fulfill Desires Before Renouncing them?23:24 What Happens When One Transcends Ego & Desires?27:38 Embracing the Present

This podcast is the continuation of Mahavakyas of the Bhagavad Gita, focusing on the teaching where Sri Krishna urges Arjuna to see him in everything and surrender entirely. Kunal and Partho explore how devotion, knowledge, and action converge in true surrender. Partho further emphasizes the idea of complete self-giving as the highest form of devotion, leading to ultimate spiritual realization.00:00 Trailer 00:06 Sri Krishna’s teaching: "See me in everything"03:12 Understanding "Be My-Minded"07:40 Love as an analogy for divine surrender09:16 Analogy of Man Mana Bhava11:30 Intellectual understanding vs. experiential realization14:14 The power of stories and mythology in devotion17:09 Gyaan, Karma and Bhakti 20:01 Krishna’s presence within: essence of true devotion22:34 Human Understanding of Sacrifice24:51 Complete surrender to Krishna

The podcast explores the significance of the Bhagavad Gita and the Ashtavakra Gita, highlighting their differences. Partho talks about the Bhagavad Gita and how it presents a synthesis of knowledge, devotion, and action, offering a practical guide to Vedanta. He also emphasizes on the difference in the Ashtavakra Gita which is radical and direct, emphasizing pure self-realization without intellectual debate. The conversation also touches on King Janaka’s role as an ideal Vedantic ruler and the idea of discussing key Mahavakyas from these texts in future sessions.00:00 Trailer

00:06 Meaning and significance of Gita

04:02 Bhagavad Gita: A synthesis of knowledge, devotion, and action

07:55 The role of King Janaka

10:40 Ashtavakra Gita: A radical Vedantic text

14:27 Ashtavakra's Yogic Shakti

15:28 King Janaka's Vedantic wisdom in ruling a kingdom

17:00 Taking up Mahavakyas from Ashtavakra Gita

18:03 Janaka after self realisation as an example

20:08 Closing thoughts and Future Sessions

This podcast delves into the Mahavakyas of the Bhagavad Gita, focusing on the realization that the Atman (soul) is eternal, indestructible, and beyond the mind, intellect, and senses. Partho talks about how Shri Krishna imparts the wisdom that everything and everyone exists within him, and he exists in everything. The discussion also explores how this truth can transform one’s perception, interactions, and approach to life, including leadership, relationships, and daily actions.

00:00 Trailer

00:06 The Shloka

00:17 Recap of previous session on Atman

02:00 Shri Krishna’s First Key Teaching

05:26 Arjuna’s Dilemma: Seeing Krishna in All

08:40 Samata as a Fundamental Mahavakya

10:57 Moving towards Supramental Knowledge

11:26 Shraddha as First Step to Realization

14:30 Overcoming Judgment and Duality

16:02 Seeing Krishna in Every Being and Object

20:36 The Ocean and Waves Analogy

22:39 Dharma in Work and Leadership

25:32 Krishna’s Offer to Duryodhana in Mahabharata

29:02 Moving Beyond Differentiation

30:18 Becoming Krishna-Minded

31:18 Conclusion

31:40 The Shloka

In this podcast, Partho and Kunal explore a key mahavakya from the Bhagavad Gita: the timeless, changeless nature of the Self. Sri Krishna reveals to Arjuna that the true self is birthless, deathless, and eternal, existing beyond the physical body and mind. This profound truth liberates one from the fear of death, transforming life into a journey of deeper understanding.

The discussion also touches on the importance of faith (Shraddha) and the need to transcend worldly identifications to realize one's essential, indestructible nature.

00:00 Trailer

00:07 Recap of previous discussion

00:59 Introduction to today’s Mahavakya : The Self

02:05 Great Truth of Vedanta by Shri Krishna

05:47 Realising Essential Self

08:10 Equality & concept of changeless and deathless

10:17 Krishna’s words to Arjuna

13:05 The Process of thinking: from shraddha to direct experience

18:29 Gita - an intellectual dialogue?

22:03 Importance of Wisdom by Shri Krishna to Arjuna

24:29 Importance of Shraddha

27:06 Final thoughts on the path to understanding Krishna