Vedanta Society of Iowa February 22, 2014
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 What is Vedanta?
 Why study Vedanta?
 How to study Vedanta?
 Q&A
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 Culmination/Essence of ‘Veda’
 Basis (Philosophy) of Hinduism
 Defines God (Brahman) as ‘Sat-Chit-Ananda’
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 To be eternally happy & wise
 Sat-Chit-Ananda
 To understand who I am
 Aham Brahmasmi
 To understand what this world is
 Sarvam Kalvidam Brahman
 To ascertain methods to achieve the goal
 Sadhana Chatushtaya/Prapatti Marga/Nabadha Bhakti/4-Yogas/5-
Commandments of Sri Ramakrishna etc.
 To become master of oneself
 Obtain sthitapragna (not buffeted by dualities)
 To develop reverence for everything
 Ekam Sat; Vipra vahudha badanti (all incarnation + all religion + all living & nonliving manifestations )
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1. Anubandha-Chatushtaya (
अनुबन्ध चतुष्टय
)
 4-requisites to undertake a study
 Prayojana, Vishaya, Sambandha, Adhikari
2. Sadhana-Chatushtaya (
साधन चतुष्टय
)
 4-means to develop qualification
 Viveka, Vairagya, Sad-Sampatti, Mumukshutva
3. Shravana-Manana-Nididhysana (
श्रवण
-
मनन
-
नननिध्यासन
)
 3-fold process of practice
 Constant Hearing, Reflecting, Meditating
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 Prayojana (’
प्रयोजन
 Atyantika – Dukha – Nivritti
’) – benefit/result
 Paramananda Prapti
 Vishaya (’
नवषय ’)
 Jiva - Brahman - Aikya
– subject matter
 Sambandha(’
सम्बन्ध
’) – relationship
 Prayojana – Vishaya – Sambandha – Adhikari
 Adhikari (’
अनधकारी ’) – qualification of seeker
 Chitta Ekagrata
 Chitta Suddhi
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 Viveka (‘
नववेक ’)
 Discrimination between Eternal and Non-Eternal
 Vairagya (‘
वैराग्य ’)
 Detachment from Non-Eternal
 ShamAdi Sat-Sampatti (‘
शमानि शट
-
सम्पनि ’ )
 Practice of Six Wealths/Treasures
 Mumukshutva (‘
मुमुक्षुत्व
‘)
 Longing for Liberation/Mukti
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 Shama (‘
शम ’)
 detaching the mind from external stimuli
 Dama (‘
िम ’)
 detaching the sense organs from external stimuli
 TitikShA (‘
नतनतक्षा ’)
 enduring afflictions without reaction
 Uparati (‘
उपरनत ’)
 not letting the mind react
 ShraddhA (‘
श्रद्धा
’)
 faith in Scriptures & words of Guru
 SamAdhAna(‘
समाधान
’)
 one pointed focus on the Reality
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