Vedanta Talks – Swami Sarvapriyananda

Q&A session led by Swami Sarvapriyananda at the Vedanta Society of New York on Feb 23rd, 2025. List of questions with timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

02:10 - How should we pray? What should we pray for?

07:19 - I intend to become a monk. How can I maintain inner peace in the midst of the world before joining?

14:48 - What is the best way to read through a text with others?

18:50 - Is reflected consciousness the same as witness consciousness?

30:28 - How do I apply Vedanta to day-to-day life?  

38:23 - How can the world be an appearance to Brahman?

54:01 - How can I understand consciousness through service?

01:01:21 - How does the mind drop attributes?

01:07:21 - If everything is an illusion why am I not an illusion as well?

01:18:35 - If no company is better than bad company, how can we practice this without hurting others?

01:23:50 - What is it that I want?

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Kena Upanishad in this series.

The Kena Upanishad (Sanskrit: केनोपनिषद्) (also alternatively known as Talavakara Upanishad) is a Vedic Sanskrit text classified as one of the primary or Mukhya Upanishads that is embedded inside the last section of the Talavakara Brahmana of the Samaveda. It is listed as number 2 in the Muktikā, the canon of the 108 Upanishads of Hinduism.

Kena Upanishad has three parts: 13 verses in the first part, 15 paragraphs in the second part, and 6 paragraphs in the epilogue. These are distributed in four khaṇḍas (खण्ड, sections or volumes). The first Khanda has 8 verses, the second has 5 verses. The third Khanda has 12 paragraphs, while the fourth khanda has the remaining 9 (3 paragraphs of main text and 6 paragraphs of the epilogue).

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 Apr 6, 2021.

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Verses 16-18 from the Thirteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. This series of talks unfolds the highest truths of Vedanta through the study of "The Song of God".

🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 16:

अविभक्तं च भूतेषु विभक्तमिव च स्थितम् |

भूतभर्तृ च तज्ज्ञेयं ग्रसिष्णु प्रभविष्णु च ||16||

Avibhaktaṁ cha bhūteṣhu vibhaktam iva cha sthitam

bhūta-bhartṛi cha taj jñeyaṁ grasiṣhṇu prabhaviṣhṇu cha ||16||

🔴 He, (the Brahman) whom aspirants seek to know, is the impartible Whole, yet does He seem to dwell in all beings as if divided into many. He is the generator and supporter of all beings, and their devourer too.

🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 17:

ज्योतिषामपि तज्ज्योतिस्तमस: परमुच्यते |

ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं ज्ञानगम्यं हृदि सर्वस्य विष्ठितम् ||17||

Jyotiṣhām api taj jyotis tamasaḥ param uchyate

jñānaṁ jñeyaṁ jñāna-gamyaṁ hṛidi sarvasya viṣhṭhitam ||17||

🔴 The self-luminous light of consciousness revealing even all that is luminous, He is beyond obscuration by the darkness of ignorance. He, the light of knowledge, He, the quest of knowledge, He, the way to whom is knowledge -- in the inner-most recess of all beings is He established.

🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 18:

इति क्षेत्रं तथा ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं चोक्तं समासत: |

मद्भक्त एतद्विज्ञाय मद्भावायोपपद्यते ||18||

Iti kṣhetraṁ tathā jñānaṁ jñeyaṁ choktaṁ samāsataḥ

mad-bhakta etad vijñāya mad-bhāvāyopapadyate ||18||

🔴 Thus has been briefly expounded what the Ksetra (material Nature) is, as also what constitutes knowledge and the object of knowledge. My devotee who understands these verities becomes worthy of My state.

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 Mar 30, 2021.

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Kena Upanishad in this series.

The Kena Upanishad (Sanskrit: केनोपनिषद्) (also alternatively known as Talavakara Upanishad) is a Vedic Sanskrit text classified as one of the primary or Mukhya Upanishads that is embedded inside the last section of the Talavakara Brahmana of the Samaveda. It is listed as number 2 in the Muktikā, the canon of the 108 Upanishads of Hinduism.

Kena Upanishad has three parts: 13 verses in the first part, 15 paragraphs in the second part, and 6 paragraphs in the epilogue. These are distributed in four khaṇḍas (खण्ड, sections or volumes). The first Khanda has 8 verses, the second has 5 verses. The third Khanda has 12 paragraphs, while the fourth khanda has the remaining 9 (3 paragraphs of main text and 6 paragraphs of the epilogue).

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Kena Upanishad in this series.

The Kena Upanishad (Sanskrit: केनोपनिषद्) (also alternatively known as Talavakara Upanishad) is a Vedic Sanskrit text classified as one of the primary or Mukhya Upanishads that is embedded inside the last section of the Talavakara Brahmana of the Samaveda. It is listed as number 2 in the Muktikā, the canon of the 108 Upanishads of Hinduism.

Kena Upanishad has three parts: 13 verses in the first part, 15 paragraphs in the second part, and 6 paragraphs in the epilogue. These are distributed in four khaṇḍas (खण्ड, sections or volumes). The first Khanda has 8 verses, the second has 5 verses. The third Khanda has 12 paragraphs, while the fourth khanda has the remaining 9 (3 paragraphs of main text and 6 paragraphs of the epilogue).

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 Mar 23, 2021.

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Verse 15 from the Thirteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. This series of talks unfolds the highest truths of Vedanta through the study of "The Song of God".

🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 15:

बहिरन्तश्च भूतानामचरं चरमेव च |

सूक्ष्मत्वात्तदविज्ञेयं दूरस्थं चान्तिके च तत् ||15||

Bahir antaśh cha bhūtānām acharaṁ charam eva cha

sūkṣhmatvāt tad avijñeyaṁ dūra-sthaṁ chāntike cha tat ||15||

🔴 He is within and without all beings. Though unmoving, He looks like one moving (because He is everywhere). He is both far and near. - far to the ignorant and near to the knowing ones. Owing to subtlety, He cannot be known like gross objects.

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 Mar 16, 2021.

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 Mar 9, 2021.

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 Mar 2, 2021.

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Verses 13-14 from the Thirteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. This series of talks unfolds the highest truths of Vedanta through the study of "The Song of God".

🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 13:

सर्वत: पाणिपादं तत्सर्वतोऽक्षिशिरोमुखम् |

सर्वत: श्रुतिमल्लोके सर्वमावृत्य तिष्ठति ||13||

Sarvataḥ pāṇi-pādaṁ tat sarvato ’kṣhi-śhiro-mukham

sarvataḥ śhrutimal loke sarvam āvṛitya tiṣhṭhati ||13||

🔴 His hands and feet are everywhere. His eyes, ears and mouth grasp everything. His face is in all directions. He is the transcendent Spirit, enveloping all that exists in the world.

🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 14:

सर्वेन्द्रियगुणाभासं सर्वेन्द्रियविवर्जितम् |

असक्तं सर्वभृच्चैव निर्गुणं गुणभोक्तृ च ||14||

Sarvendriya-guṇābhāsaṁ sarvendriya-vivarjitam

asaktaṁ sarva-bhṛich chaiva nirguṇaṁ guṇa-bhoktṛi cha ||14||

🔴 By his powers the faculties of the senses function, but sense organs He has none. He is the support of all things, but they do not affect him. He transcends Nature and its functions, but these constitute the objects for His enjoyment.

Q&A session led by Swami Sarvapriyananda at the Vedanta Society of New York on Jan 26th, 2025. List of questions with timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

06:25 - How do I see myself as Brahman but still act ethically and lovingly in the world?

22:50 - How do I know that I, this Awareness, am Everything?

43:45 - If Consciousness is the ultimate reality, is God imaginary?

53:35 - How can I think of and worship God when I state that He is only Awareness?

01:12:30 - What is the connection between God and Brahman? What is the relationship between Consciousness and Existence?

01:25:09 - Can you speak about free will?

01:33:50 - Can we succeed without the fourfold qualifications in Jnana Yoga?

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Kena Upanishad in this series.

The Kena Upanishad (Sanskrit: केनोपनिषद्) (also alternatively known as Talavakara Upanishad) is a Vedic Sanskrit text classified as one of the primary or Mukhya Upanishads that is embedded inside the last section of the Talavakara Brahmana of the Samaveda. It is listed as number 2 in the Muktikā, the canon of the 108 Upanishads of Hinduism.

Kena Upanishad has three parts: 13 verses in the first part, 15 paragraphs in the second part, and 6 paragraphs in the epilogue. These are distributed in four khaṇḍas (खण्ड, sections or volumes). The first Khanda has 8 verses, the second has 5 verses. The third Khanda has 12 paragraphs, while the fourth khanda has the remaining 9 (3 paragraphs of main text and 6 paragraphs of the epilogue).

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Verses 11-12 from the Thirteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. This series of talks unfolds the highest truths of Vedanta through the study of "The Song of God".

🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 11:

अध्यात्मज्ञाननित्यत्वं तत्वज्ञानार्थदर्शनम् |

एतज्ज्ञानमिति प्रोक्तमज्ञानं यदतोऽन्यथा ||11||

adhyātma-jñāna-nityatvaṁ tattva-jñānārtha-darśhanam

etaj jñānam iti proktam ajñānaṁ yad ato ’nyathā ||11||

🔴 Constant application to the study of spiritual texts and practice of spiritual disciplines, and a clear comprehension of the goal of spiritual enlightenment and the destiny of man - all these described before constitute knowledge; what is opposed to it is all ignorance.

🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 12:

ज्ञेयं यत्तत्प्रवक्ष्यामि यज्ज्ञात्वामृतमश्रुते |

अनादिमत्परं ब्रह्म न सत्तन्नासदुच्यते ||12||

jñeyaṁ yat tat pravakṣhyāmi yaj jñātvāmṛitam aśhnute

anādi mat-paraṁ brahma na sat tan nāsad uchyate ||12||

🔴 I shall now declare the object which ought to be known, by knowing which one attains to immortality. It is the Supreme Brahman, the eternal Being who cannot be described either as existent or non-existent (in the way sense-bound material objects are described)

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Kena Upanishad in this series.

The Kena Upanishad (Sanskrit: केनोपनिषद्) (also alternatively known as Talavakara Upanishad) is a Vedic Sanskrit text classified as one of the primary or Mukhya Upanishads that is embedded inside the last section of the Talavakara Brahmana of the Samaveda. It is listed as number 2 in the Muktikā, the canon of the 108 Upanishads of Hinduism.

Kena Upanishad has three parts: 13 verses in the first part, 15 paragraphs in the second part, and 6 paragraphs in the epilogue. These are distributed in four khaṇḍas (खण्ड, sections or volumes). The first Khanda has 8 verses, the second has 5 verses. The third Khanda has 12 paragraphs, while the fourth khanda has the remaining 9 (3 paragraphs of main text and 6 paragraphs of the epilogue).

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Kena Upanishad in this series.

The Kena Upanishad (Sanskrit: केनोपनिषद्) (also alternatively known as Talavakara Upanishad) is a Vedic Sanskrit text classified as one of the primary or Mukhya Upanishads that is embedded inside the last section of the Talavakara Brahmana of the Samaveda. It is listed as number 2 in the Muktikā, the canon of the 108 Upanishads of Hinduism.

Kena Upanishad has three parts: 13 verses in the first part, 15 paragraphs in the second part, and 6 paragraphs in the epilogue. These are distributed in four khaṇḍas (खण्ड, sections or volumes). The first Khanda has 8 verses, the second has 5 verses. The third Khanda has 12 paragraphs, while the fourth khanda has the remaining 9 (3 paragraphs of main text and 6 paragraphs of the epilogue).

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Kena Upanishad in this series.

The Kena Upanishad (Sanskrit: केनोपनिषद्) (also alternatively known as Talavakara Upanishad) is a Vedic Sanskrit text classified as one of the primary or Mukhya Upanishads that is embedded inside the last section of the Talavakara Brahmana of the Samaveda. It is listed as number 2 in the Muktikā, the canon of the 108 Upanishads of Hinduism.

Kena Upanishad has three parts: 13 verses in the first part, 15 paragraphs in the second part, and 6 paragraphs in the epilogue. These are distributed in four khaṇḍas (खण्ड, sections or volumes). The first Khanda has 8 verses, the second has 5 verses. The third Khanda has 12 paragraphs, while the fourth khanda has the remaining 9 (3 paragraphs of main text and 6 paragraphs of the epilogue).

Q&A session led by Swami Sarvapriyananda at the Vedanta Society of New York on Nov 24th, 2024. List of questions with timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

02:44 – How can Shri Ramakrishna’s statement “only God is your own” be reconciled with Holy Mother’s “everybody is your own”?

17:51 – Does stopping all thoughts reveal pure witness consciousness and lead to realization?

32:18 – Is the gap between two thoughts where pure consciousness shines, and can it only be noticed afterward?

38:43 – How to address fear of meditating after experiencing non-duality and loss of individuality?

49.36 – Why didn’t you adopt Kashmir Shaivism despite its elaboration compared to Advaita Vedanta?

57.36 – What did Swami Vivekananda mean by “Eternal progression is eternal bondage”?

01:04:28 – How to reconcile Buddhist teachings on emptiness with Vedanta’s views on self and no-self?

01:19:48 – Is pure consciousness the same as God, and why are there so many names for God?

01:26:02 – Why doesn’t the Headless Way result in infinite love and bliss as described in non-duality?

01:34:24 – What is the relevance of spiritual teachings in a future dominated by super-intelligent AI?

01:47:18 – How to practice forgiveness effectively and overcome anger?

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Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Panchadasi, a fourteenth century manual on Advaita Vedanta written by Vidyaranya.

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Panchadasi, a fourteenth century manual on Advaita Vedanta written by Vidyaranya.

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Panchadasi, a fourteenth century manual on Advaita Vedanta written by Vidyaranya.

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Panchadasi, a fourteenth century manual on Advaita Vedanta written by Vidyaranya.

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Panchadasi, a fourteenth century manual on Advaita Vedanta written by Vidyaranya.

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Panchadasi, a fourteenth century manual on Advaita Vedanta written by Vidyaranya.

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Panchadasi, a fourteenth century manual on Advaita Vedanta written by Vidyaranya.

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Panchadasi, a fourteenth century manual on Advaita Vedanta written by Vidyaranya.

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Panchadasi, a fourteenth century manual on Advaita Vedanta written by Vidyaranya.

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Panchadasi, a fourteenth century manual on Advaita Vedanta written by Vidyaranya.

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Panchadasi, a fourteenth century manual on Advaita Vedanta written by Vidyaranya.

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Panchadasi, a fourteenth century manual on Advaita Vedanta written by Vidyaranya.

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Panchadasi, a fourteenth century manual on Advaita Vedanta written by Vidyaranya.

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Panchadasi, a fourteenth century manual on Advaita Vedanta written by Vidyaranya.

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Panchadasi, a fourteenth century manual on Advaita Vedanta written by Vidyaranya.

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Panchadasi, a fourteenth century manual on Advaita Vedanta written by Vidyaranya.

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Panchadasi, a fourteenth century manual on Advaita Vedanta written by Vidyaranya.

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Panchadasi, a fourteenth century manual on Advaita Vedanta written by Vidyaranya.

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Panchadasi, a fourteenth century manual on Advaita Vedanta written by Vidyaranya.

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Panchadasi, a fourteenth century manual on Advaita Vedanta written by Vidyaranya.

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Kena Upanishad in this series.

The Kena Upanishad (Sanskrit: केनोपनिषद्) (also alternatively known as Talavakara Upanishad) is a Vedic Sanskrit text classified as one of the primary or Mukhya Upanishads that is embedded inside the last section of the Talavakara Brahmana of the Samaveda. It is listed as number 2 in the Muktikā, the canon of the 108 Upanishads of Hinduism.

Kena Upanishad has three parts: 13 verses in the first part, 15 paragraphs in the second part, and 6 paragraphs in the epilogue. These are distributed in four khaṇḍas (खण्ड, sections or volumes). The first Khanda has 8 verses, the second has 5 verses. The third Khanda has 12 paragraphs, while the fourth khanda has the remaining 9 (3 paragraphs of main text and 6 paragraphs of the epilogue).

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Panchadasi, a fourteenth century manual on Advaita Vedanta written by Vidyaranya.

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Panchadasi, a fourteenth century manual on Advaita Vedanta written by Vidyaranya.

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Panchadasi, a fourteenth century manual on Advaita Vedanta written by Vidyaranya.

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Panchadasi, a fourteenth century manual on Advaita Vedanta written by Vidyaranya.

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."

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Verse 10 from the Thirteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. This series of talks unfolds the highest truths of Vedanta through the study of "The Song of God".

🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 10:

मयि चानन्ययोगेन भक्तिरव्यभिचारिणी |

विविक्तदेशसेवित्वमरतिर्जनसंसदि ||10||

Mayi chānanya-yogena bhaktir avyabhichāriṇī

vivikta-deśha-sevitvam aratir jana-sansadi ||10||

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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Verses 8-9 from the Thirteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. This series of talks unfolds the highest truths of Vedanta through the study of "The Song of God".

🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 8:

इन्द्रियार्थेषु वैराग्यमनहङ्कार एव च |

जन्ममृत्युजराव्याधिदु:खदोषानुदर्शनम् || 8||

 Indriyārtheṣhu vairāgyam anahankāra eva cha

janma-mṛityu-jarā-vyādhi-duḥkha-doṣhānudarśhanam|| 8||

🔴 Abhorrence of sensuality, self-effacement and perception of evil and misery in birth, death, old age and sickness;

🔆Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 9:

असक्तिरनभिष्वङ्ग: पुत्रदारगृहादिषु |

नित्यं च समचित्तत्वमिष्टानिष्टोपपत्तिषु || 9||

asaktir anabhiṣhvaṅgaḥ putra-dāra-gṛihādiṣhu

nityaṁ cha sama-chittatvam iṣhṭāniṣhṭopapattiṣhu || 9||

🔴 Detachment from property and family members, non-identification with them and their fortunes, and constant evenness of mind in favorable and unfavorable situations;

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Verse 7 from the Thirteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. This series of talks unfolds the highest truths of Vedanta through the study of "The Song of God".

🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 7:

अमानित्वमदम्भित्वमहिंसा क्षान्तिरार्जवम् |

आचार्योपासनं शौचं स्थैर्यमात्मविनिग्रह: || 7||

amānitvam adambhitvam ahinsā kṣhāntir ārjavam

āchāryopāsanaṁ śhauchaṁ sthairyam ātma-vinigrahaḥ || 7||

🔴 Freedom from self-importance, unpretentiousness, non-violence, patience, straight-forwardness, service of the teacher, cleanliness, steadfastness, and self-control;

This retreat lecture series on Nondual Meditation based on Adi Shankaracharya's exposition in Aparokshanubhuti guides viewers through steps to transcend identification with the body and mind, moving toward a direct realization of the Self as pure consciousness.

This retreat lecture series on Nondual Meditation based on Adi Shankaracharya's exposition in Aparokshanubhuti guides viewers through steps to transcend identification with the body and mind, moving toward a direct realization of the Self as pure consciousness.

This retreat lecture series on Nondual Meditation based on Adi Shankaracharya's exposition in Aparokshanubhuti guides viewers through steps to transcend identification with the body and mind, moving toward a direct realization of the Self as pure consciousness.

This retreat lecture series on Nondual Meditation based on Adi Shankaracharya's exposition in Aparokshanubhuti guides viewers through steps to transcend identification with the body and mind, moving toward a direct realization of the Self as pure consciousness.

Q&A session led by Swami Sarvapriyananda at the Vedanta Society of New York on Nov 24th, 2024. List of questions with timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

01:53 - How can I reconcile devotion and non-dual knowledge?

23:27 - If I realize I am pure consciousness, do I also have a vision of God with form?

31:21 - What is Mahat (universal intelligence) in the Samkhya philosophy?

34:24 - Is it possible to practice Bhakti without God or deities?

36:28 - Can you talk about your experience with the monk who said "we are missing it a thousand times every moment"?

54:03 - Can consciousness remain by itself without appearing as objects?

59:13 - Why should I strive for enlightenment?

01:09:00 - How can I keep up study of Advaita without losing interest?

01:14:33 - Is the experience of nothingness in deep sleep the same as the experience after death, or for enlightened souls?

01:18:15 - Does everyone have to go through experience/enjoyment in the world before enlightenment?

This retreat lecture series on Nondual Meditation based on Adi Shankaracharya's exposition in Aparokshanubhuti guides viewers through steps to transcend identification with the body and mind, moving toward a direct realization of the Self as pure consciousness.

This retreat lecture series on Nondual Meditation based on Adi Shankaracharya's exposition in Aparokshanubhuti guides viewers through steps to transcend identification with the body and mind, moving toward a direct realization of the Self as pure consciousness.

This retreat lecture series on Nondual Meditation based on Adi Shankaracharya's exposition in Aparokshanubhuti guides viewers through steps to transcend identification with the body and mind, moving toward a direct realization of the Self as pure consciousness.

This retreat lecture series on Nondual Meditation based on Adi Shankaracharya's exposition in Aparokshanubhuti guides viewers through steps to transcend identification with the body and mind, moving toward a direct realization of the Self as pure consciousness.

Inspired by Vedanta philosophy and the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Sarvapriyananda explores how true awareness transcends waking, dreaming, and deep sleep, emphasizing the ever-present light of divine Consciousness that unites all existence. Through stories, hymns, and scriptural wisdom, he highlights the journey from ignorance to enlightenment and encourages embracing this inner light to recognize our oneness with the universe.

The Kena Upanishad (Sanskrit: केनोपनिषद्) (also alternatively known as Talavakara Upanishad) is a Vedic Sanskrit text classified as one of the primary or Mukhya Upanishads that is embedded inside the last section of the Talavakara Brahmana of the Samaveda. It is listed as number 2 in the Muktikā, the canon of the 108 Upanishads of Hinduism.

Kena Upanishad has three parts: 13 verses in the first part, 15 paragraphs in the second part, and 6 paragraphs in the epilogue. These are distributed in four khaṇḍas (खण्ड, sections or volumes). The first Khanda has 8 verses, the second has 5 verses. The third Khanda has 12 paragraphs, while the fourth khanda has the remaining 9 (3 paragraphs of main text and 6 paragraphs of the epilogue).

The Kena Upanishad (Sanskrit: केनोपनिषद्) (also alternatively known as Talavakara Upanishad) is a Vedic Sanskrit text classified as one of the primary or Mukhya Upanishads that is embedded inside the last section of the Talavakara Brahmana of the Samaveda. It is listed as number 2 in the Muktikā, the canon of the 108 Upanishads of Hinduism.

Kena Upanishad has three parts: 13 verses in the first part, 15 paragraphs in the second part, and 6 paragraphs in the epilogue. These are distributed in four khaṇḍas (खण्ड, sections or volumes). The first Khanda has 8 verses, the second has 5 verses. The third Khanda has 12 paragraphs, while the fourth khanda has the remaining 9 (3 paragraphs of main text and 6 paragraphs of the epilogue).

The Kena Upanishad (Sanskrit: केनोपनिषद्) (also alternatively known as Talavakara Upanishad) is a Vedic Sanskrit text classified as one of the primary or Mukhya Upanishads that is embedded inside the last section of the Talavakara Brahmana of the Samaveda. It is listed as number 2 in the Muktikā, the canon of the 108 Upanishads of Hinduism.

Kena Upanishad has three parts: 13 verses in the first part, 15 paragraphs in the second part, and 6 paragraphs in the epilogue. These are distributed in four khaṇḍas (खण्ड, sections or volumes). The first Khanda has 8 verses, the second has 5 verses. The third Khanda has 12 paragraphs, while the fourth khanda has the remaining 9 (3 paragraphs of main text and 6 paragraphs of the epilogue).

The Kena Upanishad (Sanskrit: केनोपनिषद्) (also alternatively known as Talavakara Upanishad) is a Vedic Sanskrit text classified as one of the primary or Mukhya Upanishads that is embedded inside the last section of the Talavakara Brahmana of the Samaveda. It is listed as number 2 in the Muktikā, the canon of the 108 Upanishads of Hinduism.

Kena Upanishad has three parts: 13 verses in the first part, 15 paragraphs in the second part, and 6 paragraphs in the epilogue. These are distributed in four khaṇḍas (खण्ड, sections or volumes). The first Khanda has 8 verses, the second has 5 verses. The third Khanda has 12 paragraphs, while the fourth khanda has the remaining 9 (3 paragraphs of main text and 6 paragraphs of the epilogue).

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Kena Upanishad in this series.

The Kena Upanishad (Sanskrit: केनोपनिषद्) (also alternatively known as Talavakara Upanishad) is a Vedic Sanskrit text classified as one of the primary or Mukhya Upanishads that is embedded inside the last section of the Talavakara Brahmana of the Samaveda. It is listed as number 2 in the Muktikā, the canon of the 108 Upanishads of Hinduism.

Kena Upanishad has three parts: 13 verses in the first part, 15 paragraphs in the second part, and 6 paragraphs in the epilogue. These are distributed in four khaṇḍas (खण्ड, sections or volumes). The first Khanda has 8 verses, the second has 5 verses. The third Khanda has 12 paragraphs, while the fourth khanda has the remaining 9 (3 paragraphs of main text and 6 paragraphs of the epilogue).

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Kena Upanishad in this series.

The Kena Upanishad (Sanskrit: केनोपनिषद्) (also alternatively known as Talavakara Upanishad) is a Vedic Sanskrit text classified as one of the primary or Mukhya Upanishads that is embedded inside the last section of the Talavakara Brahmana of the Samaveda. It is listed as number 2 in the Muktikā, the canon of the 108 Upanishads of Hinduism.

Kena Upanishad has three parts: 13 verses in the first part, 15 paragraphs in the second part, and 6 paragraphs in the epilogue. These are distributed in four khaṇḍas (खण्ड, sections or volumes). The first Khanda has 8 verses, the second has 5 verses. The third Khanda has 12 paragraphs, while the fourth khanda has the remaining 9 (3 paragraphs of main text and 6 paragraphs of the epilogue).

Q&A session led by Swami Sarvapriyananda at the Vedanta Society of New York on Oct 20th, 2024. List of questions with timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

02:15 - What is the importance of earnestness and renunciation to progress in spiritual life.

13:37 - Do we need a Guru, and what is the relationship betwen the Gurua dn teh Advaitic Self?

19:31 - Is consciousness the controller of actions or is it just a witness?

31:09 - How do we go from reflected consciousness to ‘I am Brahman’?

41:17 - How can I cultivate a desire to meditate and to form a genuine enjoyment of the practice?

01:04:21 - How can I overcome doubts in spiritual life?

01:09:45 - How can dream state be considered equivalent to the waking state?

The Kena Upanishad (Sanskrit: केनोपनिषद्) (also alternatively known as Talavakara Upanishad) is a Vedic Sanskrit text classified as one of the primary or Mukhya Upanishads that is embedded inside the last section of the Talavakara Brahmana of the Samaveda. It is listed as number 2 in the Muktikā, the canon of the 108 Upanishads of Hinduism.

Kena Upanishad has three parts: 13 verses in the first part, 15 paragraphs in the second part, and 6 paragraphs in the epilogue. These are distributed in four khaṇḍas (खण्ड, sections or volumes). The first Khanda has 8 verses, the second has 5 verses. The third Khanda has 12 paragraphs, while the fourth khanda has the remaining 9 (3 paragraphs of main text and 6 paragraphs of the epilogue).

The Kena Upanishad (Sanskrit: केनोपनिषद्) (also alternatively known as Talavakara Upanishad) is a Vedic Sanskrit text classified as one of the primary or Mukhya Upanishads that is embedded inside the last section of the Talavakara Brahmana of the Samaveda. It is listed as number 2 in the Muktikā, the canon of the 108 Upanishads of Hinduism.

Kena Upanishad has three parts: 13 verses in the first part, 15 paragraphs in the second part, and 6 paragraphs in the epilogue. These are distributed in four khaṇḍas (खण्ड, sections or volumes). The first Khanda has 8 verses, the second has 5 verses. The third Khanda has 12 paragraphs, while the fourth khanda has the remaining 9 (3 paragraphs of main text and 6 paragraphs of the epilogue).

The Kena Upanishad (Sanskrit: केनोपनिषद्) (also alternatively known as Talavakara Upanishad) is a Vedic Sanskrit text classified as one of the primary or Mukhya Upanishads that is embedded inside the last section of the Talavakara Brahmana of the Samaveda. It is listed as number 2 in the Muktikā, the canon of the 108 Upanishads of Hinduism.

Kena Upanishad has three parts: 13 verses in the first part, 15 paragraphs in the second part, and 6 paragraphs in the epilogue. These are distributed in four khaṇḍas (खण्ड, sections or volumes). The first Khanda has 8 verses, the second has 5 verses. The third Khanda has 12 paragraphs, while the fourth khanda has the remaining 9 (3 paragraphs of main text and 6 paragraphs of the epilogue).

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Verse 7 from the Thirteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. This series of talks unfolds the highest truths of Vedanta through the study of "The Song of God".

🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 7:

अमानित्वमदम्भित्वमहिंसा क्षान्तिरार्जवम् |

आचार्योपासनं शौचं स्थैर्यमात्मविनिग्रह: || 7||

amānitvam adambhitvam ahinsā kṣhāntir ārjavam

āchāryopāsanaṁ śhauchaṁ sthairyam ātma-vinigrahaḥ || 7||

🔴 Freedom from self-importance, unpretentiousness, non-violence, patience, straight-forwardness, service of the teacher, cleanliness, steadfastness, and self-control;

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Kena Upanishad in this series.

The Kena Upanishad (Sanskrit: केनोपनिषद्) (also alternatively known as Talavakara Upanishad) is a Vedic Sanskrit text classified as one of the primary or Mukhya Upanishads that is embedded inside the last section of the Talavakara Brahmana of the Samaveda. It is listed as number 2 in the Muktikā, the canon of the 108 Upanishads of Hinduism.

Kena Upanishad has three parts: 13 verses in the first part, 15 paragraphs in the second part, and 6 paragraphs in the epilogue. These are distributed in four khaṇḍas (खण्ड, sections or volumes). The first Khanda has 8 verses, the second has 5 verses. The third Khanda has 12 paragraphs, while the fourth khanda has the remaining 9 (3 paragraphs of main text and 6 paragraphs of the epilogue).

Q&A session led by Swami Sarvapriyananda at the Vedanta Society of New York on Oct 20th, 2024. List of questions with timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

02:15 - What is the importance of earnestness and renunciation to progress in spiritual life.

13:37 - Do we need a Guru, and what is the relationship betwen the Gurua dn teh Advaitic Self?

19:31 - Is consciousness the controller of actions or is it just a witness?

31:09 - How do we go from reflected consciousness to ‘I am Brahman’?

41:17 - How can I cultivate a desire to meditate and to form a genuine enjoyment of the practice?

01:04:21 - How can I overcome doubts in spiritual life?

01:09:45 - How can dream state be considered equivalent to the waking state?

🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 7:

अमानित्वमदम्भित्वमहिंसा क्षान्तिरार्जवम् |

आचार्योपासनं शौचं स्थैर्यमात्मविनिग्रह: || 7||

amānitvam adambhitvam ahinsā kṣhāntir ārjavam

āchāryopāsanaṁ śhauchaṁ sthairyam ātma-vinigrahaḥ || 7||

🔴 Freedom from self-importance, unpretentiousness, non-violence, patience, straight-forwardness, service of the teacher, cleanliness, steadfastness, and self-control;

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Verses 3-6 from the Thirteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. This series of talks unfolds the highest truths of Vedanta through the study of "The Song of God".

🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 3:

तत्क्षेत्रं यच्च यादृक्च यद्विकारि यतश्च यत् |

स च यो यत्प्रभावश्च तत्समासेन मे शृणु || 3I|

tat kṣhetraṁ yach cha yādṛik cha yad-vikāri yataśh cha yat

sa cha yo yat-prabhāvaśh cha tat samāsena me śhṛiṇu || 3I|

🔴 Hear from Me in brief what the Ksetra is, of what nature it is, what its modifications are, and from what causes what effects have sprung. Also know who the Ksetrajna is and what his powers consist in.

🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 4:

ऋषिभिर्बहुधा गीतं छन्दोभिर्विविधै: पृथक् |

ब्रह्मसूत्रपदैश्चैव हेतुमद्भिर्विनिश्चितै: || 4 ||

ṛiṣhibhir bahudhā gītaṁ chhandobhir vividhaiḥ pṛithak

brahma-sūtra-padaiśh chaiva hetumadbhir viniśhchitaiḥ || 4 ||

🔴 In many and different ways have the Rishis sung about this subject in metres of varying description. The well-reasoned and definitive aphorisms of the Brahma-sutras too have discussed it.

🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verses 5 -6:

महाभूतान्यङ्ककारो बुद्धिरव्यक्त मेव च |

इन्द्रियाणि दशैकं च पञ्च चेन्द्रियगोचरा: || 5||

इच्छा द्वेष: सुखं दु:खं सङ्घातश्चेतना धृति: |

एतत्क्षेत्रं समासेन सविकारमुदाहृतम् || 6||

mahā-bhūtāny ahankāro buddhir avyaktam eva cha

indriyāṇi daśhaikaṁ cha pañcha chendriya-gocharāḥ || 5||

ichchhā dveṣhaḥ sukhaṁ duḥkhaṁ saṅghātaśh chetanā dhṛitiḥ

etat kṣhetraṁ samāsena sa-vikāram udāhṛitam || 6||

🔴 The five great elements, the I-sense, the intellect, and the Unmanifested (Root Matter); the ten organs along with the mind as the eleventh, and the five objects of the senses; desire, hatred, pleasure and pain; the body, consciousness, and will -such is a brief description of the Ksetra with all its modifications.

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Verse 2 (Cont'd) from the Thirteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. This series of talks unfolds the highest truths of Vedanta through the study of "The Song of God".

🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 2:

क्षेत्रज्ञं चापि मां विद्धि सर्वक्षेत्रेषु भारत |

क्षेत्रक्षेत्रज्ञयोर्ज्ञानं यत्तज्ज्ञानं मतं मम ||2||

kṣhetra-jñaṁ chāpi māṁ viddhi sarva-kṣhetreṣhu bhārata

kṣhetra-kṣhetrajñayor jñānaṁ yat taj jñānaṁ mataṁ mama ||2||

🔴 Know Me, O scion of the Bharata race, to be the Ksetrajna (the Spirit) in all Ksetras (bodies). The knowledge of the distinction between Ksetra and Ksetrajna alone is real knowledge according to Me.

Q&A session led by Swami Sarvapriyananda at the Vedanta Society of New York on Sep 29th, 2024. List of questions with timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

02:04 - Can atheists achieve enlightenment?

09:17 - If the body is inert (jada), how is it able to generate thoughts?

19:03 - If our real nature is prakash (light) does prakash need to be self-aware?

33:57 - Does removal of ignorance require free will?

46:36 - If Brahman is fulfilled, why does it need to appear as Jiva, Jagat, Isvara?

58:19 - What proof is there of awareness in deep sleep?  If deep sleep is the awareness of absence, what is death?

01:10:50 - What should I do if the power of discernment in Vedantic practice is diminished?

01:14:00 - Is breathing Atman?  Can the soul depart if it is Brahman?

01:19:41 - My heart is troubled by the suffering around me.  How can I hold on to Advaita?

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

This lecture from Sarvapriyananda explores various paths to attaining inner peace. It discusses the yogic approach of stilling the mind through meditation, the devotional path of surrendering to God's will, and the philosophical approach of Vedanta that recognizes one's true nature as unattached awareness. He emphasizes that true peace comes from understanding one's essential nature as pure consciousness, unaffected by the changing circumstances of life. He explains several philosophical reasons why our true self is inherently unattached (asanga) to worldly experiences, drawing on concepts from Advaita Vedanta. The overall message is that recognizing our innate, unchanging nature as awareness leads to lasting peace.

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

This is Part 6 of a series of lectures given by Swami Sarvapriyananda on the text, Vakya Vritti. Vakya Vritti is a text of fifty-two Sanskrit slokas attributed to Adi Shankara and is in the form of a dialogue between an eager student and an enlightened teacher. The text concerns itself with the detailed and elaborate explanation of two Mahāvākyas – aham brahmāsmi and tat tvam asi which are intended to give a direct perception of Brahman. ► To support the Vedanta Society of New York: http://www.vedantany.org/donate