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PODCAST

Bhagavad Gita Advanced Lessons for the Western Mind

Bhagavad Gita lessons are a mirror to the self (you), revealing the nature of reality, the mind, and our place in the grand order of existence. It presents a step-by-step method to help seekers refine their thinking, emotions, and decision-making, guiding them toward freedom from limitation (moksha, or enlightenment) and a deep, unshakable clarity about life. This podcast is rooted in the Arsha Vidya tradition of Swami Dayananda Saraswati, offering a direct, nuanced, and highly relevant approach to

religion & spirituality self-improvement

All Episodes

01:04:15

20. Body and It's Indweller – Killer and the Killed –...

Bhagavad Gita Advanced Lessons for the Western Mind ·

2025/03/10

Chapter 2, Verse 18:Arjuna is reminded that the body (sharira) is temporary and subject to disintegration, while the self (shariri) is eternal and indestructible. This verse emphasizes the need for acognitive distinction between the body and the self. The body is merely an instrument for gaining wisdom and should not be mistaken for one's true identity.Chapter 2, Verse 19:This verse addresses the misconception of the doer (karta / hantaram) and the enjoyer/sufferer (bhokta/hantam). It explains that

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01:31:54

19. Self-Inquiry Process – Seeing What-Is –...

Bhagavad Gita Advanced Lessons for the Western Mind ·

2025/03/10

Session focuses on the nature of human problems and the concept ofAtma(the self). It distinguishes between two types of problems:(a)situational issues and(b)fundamental problem related to self-recognition. The fundamental problem is the desire to see oneself as a complete being, free from limitations. Krishna addresses this by emphasizing the nature ofAtma, which is unborn and unchanging.Main ideas:Panditah na anuśocanti (2.11): The wise do not grieve because they seeAtmaas unborn and unchanging

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01:27:20

18. Collapsing Duality Through Satya-Mithya Analysis...

Bhagavad Gita Advanced Lessons for the Western Mind ·

2025/03/10

Satya-mithyaanalysis reveals reality's structure: everything, from big objects to tiny particles, ismithya(dependent reality), made of forms within forms. Science stops with the final building block of universe at the unpredictable quantum level. Vedanta suggests two final building blocks that makes up everything:Ishvara(Intelligence) andsat-cit(Existence-Awareness). The changing universe boils down to ideas, which are based on unchangingsat-cit, which has no form and no limits (Ananta/Ananda).This

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01:16:36

17. Ishvara (Lord) is Impersonal, Collapsing Forms...

Bhagavad Gita Advanced Lessons for the Western Mind ·

2025/03/10

Life brings pleasure and pain, and bringingIshvarainto your life helps you develop equanimity in facing both.Ishvaramanifests as impersonal, impartial laws which deliver results of your past actions. It isn't some personal deity who rewards or punishes. This is shown inMahabharatathroughKrishna(asIshvara) who doesn't interfere with people's free will or natural laws.Challenges serve to keep us alert and foster self-reflection, offering opportunities for growth and deeper self-understanding. Rather

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01:25:39

16. Dealing with Pain, Roles & Identity, Swadharma,...

Bhagavad Gita Advanced Lessons for the Western Mind ·

2025/03/10

Roles and identity:We assume different roles (father, worker, teacher etc.) but can lose ourselves in those roles. Wisdom is recognizing there is an “I” separate from these roles.Swadharma:Defined as one's personal duty or “what is to be done” based on one's values and relationships.Nature of the Self (Atma):The Self is not an object to be experienced in the future, but the ever-present awareness in which all experiences occur.Moksha (liberation):Not gaining something new, but removing the ignorance

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01:23:42

15. Existence-Awareness Relationship to Jiva, Subtle...

Bhagavad Gita Advanced Lessons for the Western Mind ·

2025/03/10

Chapter 2, Verse 12:We explore the paradigm shift needed from seeing oneself as a limited individual to understanding one's true nature assat-cit(Existence-Consciousness). Analogy of space and a cup is used to illustrate howAtma(Self) is unaffected by the changing conditions of body-mind.Chapter 2, Verse 13:Stages of life (childhood, youth, old age) and reincarnation is introduced.Jiva(individual) is made of three bodies: physical (sthula-sharira), subtle (sukshma-sharira), and causal

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01:34:09

14. I AM Self-Enquiry, Never a Time When You Were...

Bhagavad Gita Advanced Lessons for the Western Mind ·

2025/03/10

Krishnaexplains consciousness continues eternally, even after the body's demise. Two metaphors used to illustrate this concept:(a)The wave-water metaphor demonstrates how shifting identity from the temporary wave to the eternal water solves existential dilemmas. It emphasizes that external change is unnecessary; only a shift in understanding is required. And(b)The cup-space metaphor likensAtmato space, showing its limitless and formless nature. It explains howAtmaseems confined to a single body but

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01:31:00

13. Nature of Self (Atma) & Meaning of Sat-Cit...

Bhagavad Gita Advanced Lessons for the Western Mind ·

2025/03/10

Lesson delves into the fundamental human search for lasting happiness and fulfillment, highlighting the challenges of finding contentment in a changing world.There are three core human needs:(a)freedom from time-bound existence,(b)freedom from ignorance, and(c)freedom from smallness. It explains why conventional pursuits fail to provide lasting satisfaction, using examples to illustrate the zero-sum nature of situational happiness.Aprakriya(method) is introduced to distinguish between incidental and

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01:25:09

12. Bhagavad Gita Online Course – CH 2, Verse 11-13...

Bhagavad Gita Advanced Lessons for the Western Mind ·

2025/03/10

Krishnaintroduces distinction between the wise (panditāḥ) and the unwise. He placesArjunain the latter category due to his grief, but acknowledges his openness to wisdom.Krishnathen delves into the eternal nature ofAtma(self), contrasting it with the temporary body-mind complex. He presents a methodology distinguishing between incidental attributes (tatastha-lakshana) and intrinsic nature (svarupa-lakshana). This leads to the concept of the wise person as one who recognizesAtmaas the constant and

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01:26:54

11. Bhagavad Gita Online Course – Chapter 2, Verse...

Bhagavad Gita Advanced Lessons for the Western Mind ·

2025/03/10

Session focuses on one's struggle to determine the right course of action.Arjunais depicted as being in a state of emotional turmoil, unable to compose himself and seekingKrishna'sguidance.Krishnaemphasizes importance of faith, understanding one's duties, and the pursuit ofMoksha(liberation). Feedback from results of your actions and from others responses allows you to further refine the quality of your actions. Session also speaks of maintaining balance in life, addressing unresolved emotions, and

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01:07:51

10. Bhagavad Gita Online Course – Chapter 2, Verse...

Bhagavad Gita Advanced Lessons for the Western Mind ·

2025/03/10

Chapter 2, Verse 1:SanjayadescribesArjuna'sdistressed state toDhritarashtra, setting the scene forKrishna'sresponse. This verse highlights the emotional turmoilArjunais experiencing, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.Verse essence:Arjunais overwhelmed with grief and tears, promptingKrishnato speak.Chapter 2, Verses 2-3:KrishnachallengesArjuna'sdespair, urging him to regain composure and face his duty. This unexpected response fromKrishnaserves to shakeArjunaout of his emotional state and push

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01:27:05

9. Bhagavad Gita Online Course – Chapter 1, Verse...

Bhagavad Gita Advanced Lessons for the Western Mind ·

2025/03/10

Chapter 1, Verses 40-41:Arjuna expands his perspective, considering the broader societal impact of war. He argues that destroying families leads to the loss of traditions and the rise of unrighteousness, corrupting women and causing caste intermixture. This reflects how societal dysfunction can stem from broken families.Verse essence:When families are destroyed, traditions perish, leading to societal unrighteousness and corruption.Chapter 1, Verses 42:Arjuna explains how societal breakdown leads to

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01:34:18

8. Bhagavad Gita Online Course – Chapter 1, Verse...

Bhagavad Gita Advanced Lessons for the Western Mind ·

2025/03/10

Chapter 1, Verses 35:Arjuna expresses his unwillingness to fight and kill his relatives, even if they try to kill him. He states that he doesn't desire to fight for the sake of winning the kingdom, even if it means gaining sovereignty over the three worlds (heaven, earth, and the lower worlds).Arjuna'sstance is that the loss of loved ones is not worth the potential gains of war, regardless of the consequences of walking away from the battlefield.Chapter 1, Verses 36:Arjuna questions the satisfaction

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01:23:07

7. Bhagavad Gita Online Course – Chapter 1, Verse...

Bhagavad Gita Advanced Lessons for the Western Mind ·

2025/03/10

Chapter 1, Verses 24-27:Sañjayanarrates toDhritarashtrathatKrishna, uponArjuna'srequest, placed their chariot in the midst of the two armies.Arjunathen saw his kinsmen, including elders, teachers, uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, friends, and well-wishers on both sides. Overcome with deep compassion and sorrow, he expressed his emotional turmoil.Chapter 1, Verses 28-31:Arjuna, addressingKrishna, revealed his intense emotional and physical distress upon seeing his relatives ready for battle. His

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01:28:52

6. Bhagavad Gita Online Course – Chapter 1, Verse...

Bhagavad Gita Advanced Lessons for the Western Mind ·

2025/03/10

Chapter 1, Verses 13-18:Thebattlefieldwas suddenlyfilledwith a cacophony ofsounds as conches, kettledrums, tabors, trumpets, and cow-horns were blasted simultaneously, creating an overwhelming, earth-shaking noise. Amidst this tumultuous setting,Krishna(the charioteer) andArjuna(the warrior), seated in a resplendent chariot drawn by white horses, raised their divine conches and blew them, producing a sound that stood out even amidst the din.Krishnablew his conch (Panchajanya),Arjunasounded his

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01:12:40

5. Bhagavad Gita Online Course – Chapter 1, Verse...

Bhagavad Gita Advanced Lessons for the Western Mind ·

2025/03/10

Chapter 1, Verses 7-9:Duryodhanahighlights the prominent warriors on his side toDrona, including:Bhishma(the grandsire of both theKauravasandPandavas);Karna(whose loyalty to Duryodhana stems from past humiliations and the support he received from him);Kripa(known for his prowess in battle);Ashwatthama(Drona’sson);Vikarna(aKauravaprince); andSomadatta(a respected warrior). All who are ready to sacrifice their lives for him, according to him. This way he indirectly exposes his insecurity.Karna'sstory

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01:23:25

4. Bhagavad Gita Online Course – Chapter 1, Verse 2-6...

Bhagavad Gita Advanced Lessons for the Western Mind ·

2025/03/10

Chapter 1, Verse 2:Sanjaya narrates thatDuryodhanaapproaches his teacherDrona, despiteBhismabeing the army head, becauseBhisma'sunwavering vow to support the king's side is unshakeable.DuryodhanadoubtsDrona'sloyalty due toDrona‘s favoritism towardsArjuna, exemplified byArjuna‘s exceptional focus in a bird-shooting exercise.DuryodhanasecuresDrona'sallegiance by leveragingDrona'slove for his son,Ashvathama, who is close friends withDuryodhana. This interaction illustrates how personal considerations

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01:21:56

3. Bhagavad Gita Online Course – Chapter 1, Verse 1...

Bhagavad Gita Advanced Lessons for the Western Mind ·

2025/03/10

TheBhagavad Gitabegins with the blind kingDhritarashtraasking his charioteerSanjayawhat his people, theKauravas, and thePandavasdid as they gathered on the battlefield ofKurukshetra, eager to fight. The text provides context, explaining that the war arose fromDuryodhana'sjealousy of thePandavas, leading him to defeat them through a game of dice and exile them, until thePandavas‘ return sparked an inevitable conflict thatDhritarashtradid not attempt to stop, despite knowing his sons were on the side

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01:22:21

2. Bhagavad Gita Online Course – Gita Dhyanam V4-9

Bhagavad Gita Advanced Lessons for the Western Mind ·

2025/03/10

Lesson 2 covers verses 4-9 ofGita Dhyanam, which explore the origin and universality of theGita'steachings.Verse 4compares theUpanishadsto a cow,Krishnaas the milkman extracting the nourishing wisdom forArjuna. The teaching addresses both emotional and cognitive needs.Verse 5explainsKrishnaas the universal guru, whose words reveal the reality that our true self is eternal, addressing the root cause of human longing.Verse 6uses the analogy ofArjunacrossing the battlefield's obstacles, representing

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01:23:51

41. Logic Showing Permanent Happiness is Your True...

Bhagavad Gita Advanced Lessons for the Western Mind ·

2025/03/10

Chapter 2, Verse 54:Arjuna asks Krishna to describe the characteristics and behavior of asthita-prajna– one whose knowledge of reality is fully assimilated and who lives with firm wisdom. After understanding thatmoksha(liberation) is the only true goal and that objects cannot provide lasting fulfillment, Arjuna seeks to understand how someone who has realized this truth actually lives and conducts themselves in the world.See notes for this session at: https://www.yesvedanta.com/bg2/

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