The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (Sanskrit: बृहदारण्यकोपनिषद्, IAST: Bṛhadāraṇyakopaniṣad) is one of the Principal Upanishads and one of the first Upanishadic scriptures of Hinduism. A key scripture to various schools of Hinduism, the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad is tenth in the Muktikā or "canon of 108 Upanishads".

Brihadaranyaka literally means "great wilderness or forest". The Upanishad forms the last part, that is the fourteenth kānda of Śatapatha Brāhmana of "Śhukla Yajurveda". The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad has six adhyayas (chapters) in total. It includes three sections: Madhu kānda (the 4th and 5th chapter of the fourteenth kānda of Satapatha Brahmana), Muni kānda (or Yajnavalkya Kanda, the 6th and 7th chapter of 14th kānda of Satapatha Brahmana) and Khila kānda (the 8th and 9th chapter of the fourteenth kānda of Satapatha Brahmana).

The first and second chapters of the Upanishad's Madhu kānda consists of six brahmanas each, with varying number of hymns per brahmana. The first chapter of the Upanishad's Yajnavalkya kānda consists of nine brahmanams, while the second has six brahmanas. The Khila kānda of the Upanishad has fifteen brahmanas in its first chapter, and five brahmanas in the second chapter.

In the fourth brahmana of the Second chapter of the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, Yajnavalkya and his wife Maitreyi engage in a dialogue about love and spirituality. Yajnavalkya states that one doesn't connect with and love forms, nor does one connect or love mind, rather one connects with the Self, the Self of one's own and one's beloved. All love is for the sake of one's Self, and the Oneness one realizes in the Self of the beloved. He then asserts that this knowledge of the Self, the Self, and Brahman is what makes one immortal, and the connection is also immortal. All longing is the longing for the Self, as the Self represents the true, the immortal, the real, and infinite bliss.

Reference material:

• Book:

https://a.co/d/iQqKCWM

• PDF of the entire Upanishad can be found https://dn790002.ca.archive.org/0/ite....

Taught by Swami Sarvapriyananda, this episode is part of a series of talks that unfold the highest truths of Vedanta through the study of the Bhagavad Gita, "The Song of God".

Chapter 14 is devoted to an understanding of the Gunatreya Vibhaga Yoga, or the three qualities/components of Maya. The entire universe is created by a projection of the three gunas - satva, rajas, and tamas. Understanding the science of the three gunas and how we can apply it to our lives is the focus of Chapter 14.

In this episode, Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches chapter 14, verses 11-15, of the Bhagavad Gita. These verses describe what happens when one guna predominates over another. Swami Sarvapriyananda explains how we can observe this in ourselves but notes that the gunas are part of the material world and, as such, are constantly changing within us, whereas Consciousness, which is what we really are, is pure and constant.

_________

Bhagavad Gita | Chapter 14, Verse 11

सर्वद्वारेषु देहेऽस्मिन्प्रकाश उपजायते |

ज्ञानं यदा तदा विद्याद्विवृद्धं सत्त्वमित्युत || 11||

sarva-dvāreṣhu dehe ’smin prakāśha upajāyate

jñānaṁ yadā tadā vidyād vivṛiddhaṁ sattvam ity uta

⧫ When, through all the sense openings in this body, the light of knowledge radiates, then indeed one should know that satva predominates.

Bhagavad Gita | Chapter 14, Verse 12

लोभ: प्रवृत्तिरारम्भ: कर्मणामशम: स्पृहा |

रजस्येतानि जायन्ते विवृद्धे भरतर्षभ || 12||

lobhaḥ pravṛittir ārambhaḥ karmaṇām aśhamaḥ spṛihā

rajasy etāni jāyante vivṛiddhe bharatarṣhabha

⧫ Greed, activity, undertaking of works, restlessness, desire - these prevail, oh best of the Bharatas, when rajas predominates.

Bhagavad Gita | Chapter 14, Verse 13

अप्रकाशोऽप्रवृत्तिश्च प्रमादो मोह एव च |

तमस्येतानि जायन्ते विवृद्धे कुरुनन्दन || 13||

aprakāśho ’pravṛittiśh cha pramādo moha eva cha

tamasy etāni jāyante vivṛiddhe kuru-nandana

⧫ Darkness, inactivity, inadvertence, as also delusion, these prevail, oh descendant of Kurus, when tamas predominates.

Bhagavad Gita | Chapter 14, Verse 14

यदा सत्त्वे प्रवृद्धे तु प्रलयं याति देहभृत् |

तदोत्तमविदां लोकानमलान्प्रतिपद्यते || 14||

yadā sattve pravṛiddhe tu pralayaṁ yāti deha-bhṛit

tadottama-vidāṁ lokān amalān pratipadyate

⧫ If the embodied self meets with death when satva is predominant, then it attains the pure spheres of the worshippers of the highest dietes.

Bhagavad Gita | Chapter 14, Verse 15

रजसि प्रलयं गत्वा कर्मसङ्गिषु जायते |

तथा प्रलीनस्तमसि मूढयोनिषु जायते || 15||

rajasi pralayaṁ gatvā karma-saṅgiṣhu jāyate

tathā pralīnas tamasi mūḍha-yoniṣhu jāyate

⧫ If it [sentient beings] meets with death when rajas is predominant, then it is born among those who are attached to work; likewise, when it meets with death when tamas is predominant, then it is born in the wombs of irrational species.

Taught by Swami Sarvapriyananda, this episode is part of a series of talks that unfold the highest truths of Vedanta through the study of the Bhagavad Gita, "The Song of God".

In this episode, Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches chapter 14, verses 6 -10 of the Bhagavad Gita.

Chapter 14 is devoted to an understanding of the Gunatreya Vibhaga Yoga, or the three qualities/components of Maya. The entire universe is created by a projection of the three gunas - satva, rajas, and tamas. Understanding the science of the three gunas and how we can apply it to our lives is the focus of Chapter 14.

____________

Bhagavad Gita | Chapter 14, Verse 6:

तत्र सत्त्वं निर्मलत्वात्प्रकाशकमनामयम् |

सुखसङ्गेन बध्नाति ज्ञानसङ्गेन चानघ || 6||

tatra sattvaṁ nirmalatvāt prakāśhakam anāmayam

sukha-saṅgena badhnāti jñāna-saṅgena chānagha

⧫ Satva, on account of its stainlessness, is luminous and free from evil. Oh, sinless one [Arjuna], it binds the embodied self by attachment to happiness and knowledge

Bhagavad Gita | Chapter 14, Verse 7:

रजो रागात्मकं विद्धि तृष्णासङ्गसमुद्भवम् |

तन्निबध्नाति कौन्तेय कर्मसङ्गेन देहिनम् || 7||

rajo rāgātmakaṁ viddhi tṛiṣhṇā-saṅga-samudbhavam

tan nibadhnāti kaunteya karma-saṅgena dehinam

⧫ Know rajas to be of the nature of passion, the source of desire and attachment, oh son of Kunti, it binds fast the embodied self by attachment to action.

Bhagavad Gita | Chapter 14, Verse 8:

तमस्त्वज्ञानजं विद्धि मोहनं सर्वदेहिनाम् |

प्रमादालस्यनिद्राभिस्तन्निबध्नाति भारत || 8||

tamas tv ajñāna-jaṁ viddhi mohanaṁ sarva-dehinām

pramādālasya-nidrābhis tan nibadhnāti bhārata

⧫ But know tamas to be born of ignorance and deluding all embodied beings, it binds fast, oh descendant of Bharata, through inadvertence, laziness, and sleep.

Bhagavad Gita | Chapter 14, Verse 9:

सत्त्वं सुखे सञ्जयति रज: कर्मणि भारत |

ज्ञानमावृत्य तु तम: प्रमादे सञ्जयत्युत || 9||

sattvaṁ sukhe sañjayati rajaḥ karmaṇi bhārata

jñānam āvṛitya tu tamaḥ pramāde sañjayaty uta

⧫ Satva binds one to happiness, rajas, oh descendant of Bharata, binds one to work, while tamas, by covering knowledge, binds one to inadvertence

Bhagavad Gita | Chapter 14, Verse 10:

रजस्तमश्चाभिभूय सत्त्वं भवति भारत |

रज: सत्त्वं तमश्चैव तम: सत्त्वं रजस्तथा || 10||

rajas tamaśh chābhibhūya sattvaṁ bhavati bhārata

rajaḥ sattvaṁ tamaśh chaiva tamaḥ sattvaṁ rajas tathā

⧫ Satva manifests, oh descendant of Bharata, as overpowering rajas and tamas, rajas manifests overpowering satva and tamas, and likewise tamas manifests overpowering satva and rajas

Taught by Swami Sarvapriyananda, this episode is part of a series of talks that unfold the highest truths of Vedanta through the study of the Bhagavad Gita, "The Song of God".

In this episode, Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches chapter 14, verse 6 of the Bhagavad Gita.

Chapter 14 is devoted to an understanding of the Gunatreya Vibhaga Yoga, or the three qualities/components of Maya. The entire universe is created by a projection of the three gunas - satva, rajas, and tamas. Understanding the science of the three gunas and how we can apply it to our lives is the focus of Chapter 14. Verse 6 addresses the satva component of Maya. Swami Sarvapriyananda explains this in this episode.

____________

Bhagavad Gita | Chapter 14, Verse 6 | Swami Sarvapriyananda

तत्र सत्त्वं निर्मलत्वात्प्रकाशकमनामयम् |

सुखसङ्गेन बध्नाति ज्ञानसङ्गेन चानघ || 6||

tatra sattvaṁ nirmalatvāt prakāśhakam anāmayam

sukha-saṅgena badhnāti jñāna-saṅgena chānagha

⧫ Of these, Satva, on account of its stainlessness, is luminous and free from evil. Oh sinless one [Arjuna], it binds the embodied self by attachment to happiness and, by attachment to knowledge.

Swami Sarvapriyananda reads and discusses the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is an English translation of the Bengali spiritual text Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita by Swami Nikhilananda. The text records conversations of Ramakrishna with his disciples, devotees and visitors, recorded by Mahendranath Gupta, who wrote the book under the pseudonym of "M."

This session was recorded on Feb 1, 2022.

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ABOUT VEDANTA

Vedanta is one of the world’s most ancient religious philosophies and one of its broadest. Based on the Vedas, the sacred scriptures of India, Vedanta affirms the oneness of existence, the divinity of the soul, and the harmony of religions.

ABOUT US

Vedanta Society of New York is affiliated with the Ramakrishna Order of India. In fact, this is the Order's first Center started by Swami Vivekananda, in 1894. It was a historic event, for the seed of the world-wide Ramakrishna Movement was sown here in New York over a century ago. Swami Sarvapriyananda is the present Resident Minister and Spiritual Leader of the Vedanta Society of New York.

The Isha Upanishad (Sanskrit: ईशोपनिषद्, IAST: Īśopaniṣad), also known as Shri Ishopanishad, Ishavasya Upanishad, or Vajasaneyi Samhita Upanishad, is one of the shortest Upanishads, embedded as the final chapter (adhyāya) of the Shukla Yajurveda. It is a Mukhya (primary, principal) Upanishad, and is known in two recensions, called Kanva (VSK) and Madhyandina (VSM). The Upanishad is a brief poem, consisting of 17 or 18 verses, depending on the recension.

It is a key scripture of the Vedanta sub-schools, and an influential Śruti to diverse schools of Hinduism. It is the 40th chapter of Yajurveda. The name of the text derives from its incipit, īśā vāsyam, "enveloped by the Lord", or "hidden in the Lord (Self)". The text discusses the Atman (Self) theory of Hinduism, and is referenced by both Dvaita (dualism) and Advaita (non-dualism) sub-schools of Vedanta.

It is classified as a "poetic Upanishad" along with Kena, Katha, Svetasvatara and Mundaka by Paul Deussen (1908).

Reference book:

1. Eight Upanisads Vol. 2 translated by Swami Gambhirananda - https://www.vedanta.com/store/Eight-U...

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Facebook:   / vedantany  

ABOUT VEDANTA

Vedanta is one of the world’s most ancient religious philosophies and one of its broadest. Based on the Vedas, the sacred scriptures of India, Vedanta affirms the oneness of existence, the divinity of the soul, and the harmony of religions.

ABOUT US

Vedanta Society of New York is affiliated with the Ramakrishna Order of India. In fact, this is the Order's first Center started by Swami Vivekananda, in 1894. It was a historic event, for the seed of the world-wide Ramakrishna Movement was sown here in New York over a century ago. Swami Sarvapriyananda is the present Resident Minister and Spiritual Leader of the Vedanta Society of New York.

Q&A session led by Swami Sarvapriyananda at the Vedanta Society of New York on Dec 28th, 2025.

List of questions with timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

02:30 - How can there be "pure experience", if there is no object to experience?

17:19 - Does this enlightened one have the ability to manipulate time?

21:32 - Can consciousness truly be objectified and recognized directly?

33:32 - What should I do if I want this to be my last birth? Is God with form part of Maya?

53:06 - Who is experiencing qualia?

01:02:14 - It seems possible that AI could create conscious beings, but it could never create pure consciousness. Why then is there debate about this issue?

01:13:17 - If AI incorporates living cells, could it then be conscious?

01:15:34 - Does Indian philosophy have a position on AI?

► To support the Vedanta Society of New York: http://www.vedantany.org/donate

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Facebook:   / vedantany  

ABOUT VEDANTA

Vedanta is one of the world’s most ancient religious philosophies and one of its broadest. Based on the Vedas, the sacred scriptures of India, Vedanta affirms the oneness of existence, the divinity of the soul, and the harmony of religions.

Philips Goldberg's new book, "Karmic Relief: Harnessing the Laws of Cause and Effect for a Joyful, Meaningful Life", is now available: https://a.co/d/49rZCwL

Philip Goldberg is the author or co-author of numerous books; a public speaker and workshop leader; a spiritual counselor, meditation teacher and ordained Interfaith Minister. A resident of Great Barrington, MA, in the heart of the Berkshires, he hosts the Spirit Matters podcast, posts frequently on Substack, conducts online courses and workshops, and contributes regularly to several publications. To learn more, Visit: https://www.philipgoldberg.com

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ABOUT VEDANTA

Vedanta is one of the world’s most ancient religious philosophies and one of its broadest. Based on the Vedas, the sacred scriptures of India, Vedanta affirms the oneness of existence, the divinity of the soul, and the harmony of religions.

ABOUT US

Vedanta Society of New York is affiliated with the Ramakrishna Order of India. In fact, this is the Order's first Center started by Swami Vivekananda, in 1894. It was a historic event, for the seed of the world-wide Ramakrishna Movement was sown here in New York over a century ago. Swami Sarvapriyananda is the present Resident Minister and Spiritual Leader of the Vedanta Society of New York.

Prof. Pigliucci's new book, "Beyond Stoicism: A Guide to the Good Life with Stoics, Skeptics, Epicureans, and Other Ancient Philosophers", is available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/fhbr6nl

Professor Massimo Pigliucci is an American philosopher and biologist who is professor of philosophy at the City College of New York, former co-host of the Rationally Speaking Podcast, and former editor in chief for the online magazine Scientia Salon. He is a critic of pseudoscience and creationism, and an advocate for secularism and science education. His recent work has focused on stoicism.

► To support the Vedanta Society of New York: http://www.vedantany.org/donate

Vedanta NY Archives:    / vedantanewyorkarchives  

Web: http://vedantany.org

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iTunes Podcast: http://bit.ly/vedanta-talks-itunes

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5IrDmqX...

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ABOUT VEDANTA

Vedanta is one of the world’s most ancient religious philosophies and one of its broadest. Based on the Vedas, the sacred scriptures of India, Vedanta affirms the oneness of existence, the divinity of the soul, and the harmony of religions.

ABOUT US

Vedanta Society of New York is affiliated with the Ramakrishna Order of India. In fact, this is the Order's first Center started by Swami Vivekananda, in 1894. It was a historic event, for the seed of the world-wide Ramakrishna Movement was sown here in New York over a century ago. Swami Sarvapriyananda is the present Resident Minister and Spiritual Leader of the Vedanta Society of New York.

Swami Satyamayananda joined the Vedanta Society of Southern California as Assistant Minister in December of 2018. He became a member of the Ramakrishna Order at Advaita Ashrama, Kolkata in 1988. An initiated disciple of Swami Bhuteshananda (the twelfth president of the Order), he served in various capacities at Advaita Ashrama. In 2008, he joined the Probationers’ Training Centre, Belur Math, as an Acharya (teacher).

► To support the Vedanta Society of New York: http://www.vedantany.org/donate

Vedanta NY Archives:    / vedantanewyorkarchives  

Web: http://vedantany.org

Soundcloud:   / vedantany  

iTunes Podcast: http://bit.ly/vedanta-talks-itunes

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5IrDmqX...

Facebook:   / vedantany  

ABOUT VEDANTA

Vedanta is one of the world’s most ancient religious philosophies and one of its broadest. Based on the Vedas, the sacred scriptures of India, Vedanta affirms the oneness of existence, the divinity of the soul, and the harmony of religions.

ABOUT US

Vedanta Society of New York is affiliated with the Ramakrishna Order of India. In fact, this is the Order's first Center started by Swami Vivekananda, in 1894. It was a historic event, for the seed of the world-wide Ramakrishna Movement was sown here in New York over a century ago. Swami Sarvapriyananda is the present Resident Minister and Spiritual Leader of the Vedanta Society of New York.