Vedanta: Ancient Wisdom for Life

The last episode in this series covers Verses 9 to 12 of Chapter 13 of the Bhagavad Gita. It expounds further qualities exhibited by a person with true knowledge. These include not being victimised by sense-objects, harbouring pure emotions, being self-sufficient, having a clear perception of life and pursuing evolution with consistency and dedication.

In this episode Swamiji explains Verse 8 of Chapter 13 of the Bhagavad Gita. The verse presents a staggering definition of what constitutes true knowledge. It is not erudition or scholarship but a life demonstrating qualities such as humility, unpretentiousness, harmless and forgiveness.

This opening episode sets the context for the twenty qualities of a jñānī - a person endowed with true knowledge from Chapter 13 of the Bhagavad Gita. Swami A. Parthasarathy explains why human beings need to imbibe such qualities to be able to live a peaceful and productive life.

The last episode in this series covers Verses 18 to 20 of Chapter 12 of the Bhagavad Gita. The verses conclude Lord Krishna’s portrait of the ideal devotee with qualities such as equanimity in praise and censure, silence, contentment, and unwavering inner faith (śraddhā).

Swamiji encourages us to begin wherever we are—even cultivating one of these traits with sincerity can lead to inner growth.

Continuing from the previous episode, verse 15 of Chapter 12 introduces three more qualities: not agitating the world, not being agitated by the world, and remaining free from envy, fear, and anxiety.

Thereafter Verses 16 and 17 explore eleven additional traits of a devotee, including physical and mental purity, detachment and freedom from emotional highs and lows.

The third episode in this series explains Verses 14 and 15 of Chapter 12 of the Bhagavad Gita. The verses introduce another eight qualities of devotion—ranging from perfect contentment and self-control to inner conviction and emotional steadiness.

The episode expounds the first seven qualities of a devotee—beginning with no hatred towards any being, compassion, egolessness and inner balance.

Swami A.Parthasarathy invites us to consider what true devotion means—not as ritual or belief, but the feeling with which we relate to every being.

This series is based on Chapter 12 of the Bhagavad Gita wherein Lord Krisha expounds 35 qualities of true devotee of God. Devotion is not blind faith, routine prayer or mechanical ritual. True devotion unfolds these great qualities in a seeker. It also envisages a conscious effort to instill these values in one's life.

In the first episode Swami A. Parthasarathy defines devotion and explains the role of prayer.

In the last episode of this series Swamiji explains verses 71 and 72 of Chapter II of the Bhagavad Gita. The verses summarise the definition of human perfection, the state of spiritual englightenment. A state of absolute and everlasting fulfilment.

Episode 12 of 'The Perfect Human Being' series expounds verses 69 and 70 of Chapter II of the Bhagavad Gita. The verses highlight the staggering difference between the limited and restricted life of ordinary beings vis-a-vis the absolute liberation and bliss of an englightened soul.