Why is सनातन eternal? “सनातन” itself means the eternal and one should not read this question as “Why is “eternal” eternal? 😂 “सनातन” is used here as a noun and refers to सनातन धर्म (or the वैदिक परम्परा) while “eternal” is used as an adjective. This is a small blog which seeks to capture thoughts … Continue reading Why is Sanatana eternal?
Why marry? Some reflections from the lens of Dharma
Trigger for this blog is questions from some parents on how to handle questions from kids on the purpose of marriage. “Why should I marry?” appears to be a common question many parents are getting from their kids – and most are ill-equipped to answer this basic question. How does one even answer this question? … Continue reading Why marry? Some reflections from the lens of Dharma
Upanishad Series – 7. Prashnopanishad (Mantra, Translation and Commentary)
प्रश्नोपनिषत् Of अथर्ववेद This उपनिषद् is a conversation between a ऋषि named पिप्पलाद and six शिष्य who approached the ऋषि to get clarification on some doubts on ज्ञान. This conversation forms part of the Upanishads linked to अथर्ववेद. ॐ भद्रं कर्णेभिः शृणुयाम देवा भद्रं पश्येमाक्षभिर्यजत्राः । स्थिरैरङ्गैस्तुष्टुवागुं सस्तनूभिर्व्यशेम देवहितं यदायुः ॥ स्वस्ति न इन्द्रो वृद्धश्रवाः … Continue reading Upanishad Series – 7. Prashnopanishad (Mantra, Translation and Commentary)
Upanishad Series – 6. Shvetashvatara Upanishad (Mantra, Translation and Commentary)
Background श्वेताश्वतर उपनिषद् belongs to कृष्ण यजुर्वेद and gets its name from ऋषि श्वेताश्वतर who is said to have taught to his disciples. This उपनिषद् does not form part of the popular दशोपनिषद् on which commentaries have been written by various commentators – it is therefore seen as having a later origin compared to other … Continue reading Upanishad Series – 6. Shvetashvatara Upanishad (Mantra, Translation and Commentary)
Vedic/ Hindu Wedding – a high level overview of South Indian marriage
This blog gives a schematic overview of the key activities that form part of a South Indian marriage. Even within South India, there are significant variations from region to region and community to community, but the broad steps are aligned to the below. For this blog, the following two are the key reference documents: “Vivaaha … Continue reading Vedic/ Hindu Wedding – a high level overview of South Indian marriage
Upanishad Series – 5. Mundaka Upanishad (Mantra, Translation and Commentary)
॥ श्रीः ॥ ॥ मुण्डकोपनिषत् ॥ (part of अथर्व वेद) ॐ भद्रं कर्णेभिः शृणुयाम देवा भद्रं पश्येमाक्षभिर्यजत्राः । स्थिरैरङ्गैस्तुष्टुवागुं सस्तनूभिर्व्यशेम देवहितं यदायुः ॥ स्वस्ति न इन्द्रो वृद्धश्रवाः स्वस्ति नः पूषा विश्ववेदाः । स्वस्ति नस्तार्क्ष्यो अरिष्टनेमिः स्वस्ति नो बृहस्पतिर्दधातु ॥ श्लोक अर्थॐ, भद्रं – what is auspicious, कर्णेभिः – by ears, शृणुयाम – may we hear, … Continue reading Upanishad Series – 5. Mundaka Upanishad (Mantra, Translation and Commentary)
Upanishad Series – 4. Aitareya Upanishad (Mantra, Translation and Commentary)
Part of ऋग्वेद शान्ति मंत्र ॐ वाङ् मे मनसि प्रतिष्ठिता मनो मे वाचि प्रतिष्ठितमाविरावीर्म एधि ॥ वेदस्य म आणीस्थः श्रुतं मे मा प्रहासीरनेनाधीतेनाहोरात्रान् सन्दधाम्यृतं वदिष्यामि सत्यं वदिष्यामि ॥ तन्मामवतु तद्वक्तारमवत्ववतु मामवतु वक्तारमवतु वक्तारम् ॥ ॐ, वाङ् – speech, मे – my, मनसि – in मन, प्रतिष्ठिता – seated, established, मनो – मन, मे – my, … Continue reading Upanishad Series – 4. Aitareya Upanishad (Mantra, Translation and Commentary)
Upanishad Series – 3. Katha Upanishad (Mantra, Translation and Commentary)
कठोपनिषत् (part of कृष्ण यजुर्वेद) ॐ ॥ अथ कठोपनिषद् ॥ Says आदि शंकर: The word उपनिषद् is derived by adding उप (near) and नि (with certainty) and षद्, meaning to split up (destroy), go (reach, attain) or loosen. And by the word उपनिषद् is denoted the knowledge of the knowable entity presented in … Continue reading Upanishad Series – 3. Katha Upanishad (Mantra, Translation and Commentary)
Upanishad Series – 2. Kena Upanishad (Mantra, Translation and Commentary)
केनोपनिषत् of तलवकार branch of the सामवेद ॥ अथ केनोपनिषत् ॥ ॐ आप्यायन्तु ममाङ्गानि वाक्प्राणश्चक्षुः श्रोत्रमथो बलमिन्द्रियाणि च सर्वाणि । सर्वं ब्रह्मौपनिषदं माऽहं ब्रह्म निराकुर्यां मा मा ब्रह्म निराकरोदनिराकरणमस्त्वनिराकरणं मेऽस्तु । तदात्मनि निरते य उपनिषत्सु धर्मास्ते मयि सन्तु ते मयि सन्तु । ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥ ॐ, आप्यायन्तु – may grow vigorous, मम … Continue reading Upanishad Series – 2. Kena Upanishad (Mantra, Translation and Commentary)
Upanishad Series – 1. Isha Upanishad (Mantra, Translation and Commentary)
उपनिषद् series Commentary on the दशोपनिषद् will be given here. This series will begin with ईशोपनिषत् and end with बृहदारण्यक. Intent is to eventually take up study of ब्रह्मसूत्र (which as one knows, must only be taken after a proper study of the उपनिषद्s). Key points about this series are summarized below: Commentary here may … Continue reading Upanishad Series – 1. Isha Upanishad (Mantra, Translation and Commentary)
Sandhyavandanam – Uttaranga (Gayatri Upasthanam and concluding Mantras) (Part 6)
14. गायत्री उपस्थानम् सूर्य प्रार्थना Here, after the जप is concluded, the साधक formally send गायत्री देवी back to Her abode. उपस्थान means उपासना. प्रात: संध्या (Standing position)मध्यान्न संध्या (Standing position)सायं संध्या (Standing position)ओ-म्मि॒त्रस्य॑ च॒र्षणी॒ धृत॒ श्रवो॑ दे॒वस्य॑ सान॒ सिम् । स॒त्य-ञ्चि॒त्रश्र॑ वस्तमम् । मि॒त्रो जनान्॑ यातयति प्रजा॒न-न्मि॒त्रो दा॑धार पृथि॒वी मु॒तद्याम् । मि॒त्रः कृ॒ष्टी रनि॑मिषा॒-ऽभि च॑ष्टे स॒त्याय॑ ह॒व्य-ङ्घृ॒तव॑द्विधेम । प्रसमि॑त्त्र॒ … Continue reading Sandhyavandanam – Uttaranga (Gayatri Upasthanam and concluding Mantras) (Part 6)
Sandhyavandanam – Uttaranga (Main Gayatri Japa and Mudras) (Part 5)
9. श्री गायत्री महामन्त्र जप Names of जप are गायत्री and सावित्री. This मंत्र occurs in all the three वेद (ऋग्वेद, यजुर्वेद and सामवेद) with slight स्वर difference. Source is ऋग्वेद only and others have borrowed. Morning108 timesFace east in a standing position (for ब्रह्मचारी) and standing/ sitting position for a गृहस्थ. Further, the hand used for counting must be located near navel Noon32 timesFace east in a standing or sitting position – … Continue reading Sandhyavandanam – Uttaranga (Main Gayatri Japa and Mudras) (Part 5)
Sandhyavandanam – Uttaranga (Invoking Gayatri) (Part 4)
उत्तराङ्ग Now we enter उत्तराङ्ग and this part is also known as गायत्री जप:. Ideally, this कर्म should be done at a secluded or sacred place where mind is at peace. Choose a sacred place at home. गायत्री आवाहनम् We now enter into मंत्र that is also referred to as गायत्री हृदय. ओमित्येकाक्ष॑र-म्ब्र॒ह्म । अग्निर्देवता ब्रह्म॑ इत्या॒र्षम् । … Continue reading Sandhyavandanam – Uttaranga (Invoking Gayatri) (Part 4)
Sandhyavandanam – Purvanga (preparatory Karma – Arghyam, Tarpanam) etc (Part 3)
अर्घ्य प्रदानम् From here onwards is the critical part of this कर्म. If जल is not available, take anything as a replacement (like Earth) and offered this as अर्घ्य to the सूर्य. All three parts viz प्रणव (viz ॐ), व्याहृति (viz भूर्भुवः सुव:) and गायत्री (viz तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यम् भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि | धियो यो न प्रचोदयाSत ) are chanted here. Start with a सङ्कल्प to … Continue reading Sandhyavandanam – Purvanga (preparatory Karma – Arghyam, Tarpanam) etc (Part 3)
Sandhyavandanam – Purvanga (preparatory Karma upto Arghyam) (Part 2)
General comments Below कर्म is given as aligned to कृष्ण यजुर्वेद method undertaken in the Telugu land. It is common to find minor variations as taught by the respective गुरुs to the disciples. Please therefore be guided by your respective गुरु as you go through the content below. Second, the commentary is based on the … Continue reading Sandhyavandanam – Purvanga (preparatory Karma upto Arghyam) (Part 2)
Sandhyavandanam – a background (Part 1)
संध्या वन्दनम् comes under नित्य कर्म. Detailed commentaries exist on the topic in संस्कृत. The following has been put together based on lectures on the topic available on Youtube – these were given by Swamiji Paramarthananda in English and Sri Shanmukha Saamaveda Sarma in Telugu. Those who are curious about this कर्म, would like to … Continue reading Sandhyavandanam – a background (Part 1)
“Rituals are wasted”, “I am spiritual but not religious” – do these words make sense?
A few years back, there was a Hindi movie, “Oh My God” where the movie ends with a message that an image of god is not necessary and one can be aligned to the idea of god better without an image. What is the idea behind this message? We also hear people making statements that … Continue reading “Rituals are wasted”, “I am spiritual but not religious” – do these words make sense?
Structure of a week as per Sanatana Dharma
What is the idea behind a सप्ताह? सप्ताह or a week has seven days and this cycle of seven days keeps getting repeated all our life. Does the idea of seven days have any meaning within the धर्म परम्परा? Like many numbers, apart from the time period allotted for a week, seven as a number also signifies सप्त कुण्डलिनी (मूलाधार, स्वाधिष्ठान, मणिपुर, अनाहत, विशुद्ध, आज्ञ and सहस्रार), seven rays of … Continue reading Structure of a week as per Sanatana Dharma
Rama Temple in Ayodhya – does it signify anything?
I usually do not write on a political topic. Trigger for this piece is an intellectual debate that has come up with the installation of राम मंदिर in अयोध्या. Question being raised is whether भारत has now become a Hindu majoritarian “religious” nation and has moved away from a “secular” identity? I can probably end this blog easily by saying that … Continue reading Rama Temple in Ayodhya – does it signify anything?
Vegetarian or non-vegetarian
Almost on a routine basis, one comes across debates on adoption of vegetarian (V) lifestyle versus virtues of being non-vegetarian (NV). People adopting vegetarian lifestyle talk about virtues of not harming animals and also quote religious scriptures as evidence to prove their point. Those adopting to NV lifestyle refer to ingredients present in such food … Continue reading Vegetarian or non-vegetarian
Defining Hinduism precisely
This has been a one year project. And the outcome of this one year effort is to put together a bunch of videos that collectively define Hinduism in a manner that is far more precise than what most of us are exposed to. And the precision of this definition is not from an academic lens … Continue reading Defining Hinduism precisely
Must-read Purana stories for all Sanatani Hindus
All Hindus are familiar with इतिहास texts - the रामायण & महाभारत. Among the पुराण, Hindus often develop familiarity in today's times with the most popular पुराण - श्रीमद्भागवतम्. Apart from the main theme, even these texts include many other sub-stories - आदिपर्व in the महाभारत and बालकाण्ड in the रामायण contain various other stories … Continue reading Must-read Purana stories for all Sanatani Hindus
Pitru Stotra – Markandeya Purana
पितृ is a key class of beings within the सनातन धर्म tradition. While देवता may be seen as “enablers or facilitators of अनुभव”, पितृ may be seen as “caretakers” of all beings. The मार्कण्डेय पुराण contains स्तोत्र referred to as the पितृ स्तोत्र – the same स्तोत्र also comes within the गरुड महापुराण too and … Continue reading Pitru Stotra – Markandeya Purana
Vishnu and Lakshmi are inseparable – Vishnu Purana
ॐ श्री गुरुभ्यो नम: There is a duality in the expression of life – this fascinating idea keeps coming in the शास्त्र (वेद as well as पुराण) again and again. One representation of this duality is the अर्धनारीश्वर and the other is the विग्रह of विष्णु with लक्ष्मी in His वक्षस्थल. Even the नाम kept … Continue reading Vishnu and Lakshmi are inseparable – Vishnu Purana
1. Brahma Sutra – a background
ॐ ॥ श्री गुरुभ्यो नमः हरिः ॐ॥ ॥ श्री बादरायणाभिधेयश्रीवेदव्यासमहर्षिप्रणीतानि श्री ब्रह्मसूत्राणि॥ ब्रह्म सूत्र is one of the three शास्त्र that comes under the trio called as प्रस्थान त्रय (the other two being the श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता and the उपनिषद्). To be recognized as a scholar, a person had to write a भाष्य on the प्रस्थान त्रय. … Continue reading 1. Brahma Sutra – a background
10 Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam – Translation & Commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables (161 – 183)
कार्यकारण-निर्मुक्ता कामकेलि-तरङ्गिता । कनत्कनकता-टङ्का लीला-विग्रह-धारिणी ॥ १६१॥ 862. कार्यकारण-निर्मुक्ता: कार्य is प्रपञ्च while कारण is प्रकृति. From an individual lens, while शरीर (and प्राण) are the कार्य, our own कर्म is the कारण. Therefore, कार्य is the effect while कारण is the cause. She is however neither cause nor effect and She is thus beyond cause … Continue reading 10 Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam – Translation & Commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables (161 – 183)
09 Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam – Translation & Commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables (141 – 160)
चित्कलाऽऽनन्द-कलिका प्रेमरूपा प्रियङ्करी । नामपारायण-प्रीता नन्दिविद्या नटेश्वरी ॥ १४१॥ चित्कला: All living beings have a जीव कला (the प्रकाश that emanates from all living beings). श्री माता however possess चित्कला (meaning प्रकाश that emanates from ईश्वर चैतन्य). In fact, it is the चैतन्य present within living beings that eventually gets displayed outside via the उपाधि of … Continue reading 09 Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam – Translation & Commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables (141 – 160)
08 Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam – Translation & Commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables (121 – 140)
दरान्दोलित-दीर्घाक्षी दर-हासोज्ज्वलन्-मुखी । गुरुमूर्तिर् गुणनिधिर् गोमाता गुहजन्मभूः ॥ १२१॥ दरान्दोलित-दीर्घाक्षी: दर means slowly आन्दोलित means moving and दीर्घाक्षी means long eyes. She is therefore one who has long eyes which are moving Her eyes slowly on either side. By moving slowly, She is taking cognizance of how all beings in the विश्व are living their lives. Equally, दीर्घाक्षी also means … Continue reading 08 Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam – Translation & Commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables (121 – 140)
07 Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam – Translation & Commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables (100 – 120)
अनाहताब्ज-निलया श्यामाभा वदनद्वया । दंष्ट्रोज्ज्वलाऽक्ष-मालादि-धरा रुधिरसंस्थिता ॥ १००॥ अनाहताब्ज-निलया: श्लोक 100 and 101 need to be seen as one collective group. This collective is useful to address the problems relating to one’s blood and one’s दृष्टि in one’s हृदय. This नाम is referring to the देवी (who goes by the नाम of राकिणी देवी) who resides in अनाहत पद्म … Continue reading 07 Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam – Translation & Commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables (100 – 120)
06 Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam – Translation & Commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables (81 – 99)
परा प्रत्यक्चितीरूपा पश्यन्ती परदेवता । मध्यमा वैखरीरूपा भक्त-मानस-हंसिका ॥ ८१॥ परा: To take up this शब्द, some background will be useful. Let us take up a seed – there are multiple stages a seed takes to eventually turn into a tree. The first stage that a seed takes up is that it swells once it makes … Continue reading 06 Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam – Translation & Commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables (81 – 99)
05 Sri Lalitha Sahasranama – Translation and Commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables (61 – 80)
पञ्च-प्रेतासनासीना पञ्चब्रह्म-स्वरूपिणी । चिन्मयी परमानन्दा विज्ञान-घनरूपिणी ॥ ६१॥ पञ्च-प्रेतासनासीना: What does प्रेत mean? That which is अचल. She is sitting in those who cannot move. There are five things that are अचल – ब्रह्मा, विष्णु, रुद्र, माहेश्वर and सदाशिव. The चैतन्य within all of them is ईश्वरी and without Her, all these five cannot do anything. … Continue reading 05 Sri Lalitha Sahasranama – Translation and Commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables (61 – 80)
04 Sri Lalitha Sahasranama – Translation and Commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables (41 – 60)
भवानी भावनागम्या भवारण्य-कुठारिका । भद्रप्रिया भद्रमूर्तिर् भक्त-सौभाग्यदायिनी ॥ ४१॥ Next twenty names are referred to as शाम्भवी विद्या. भवानी: She is the primary देवी in शाम्भवी विद्या. These नाम are also referred to as उपासना नाम. भवानी is the शक्ति of भव (शिव is भव) which means one who exists as well as that which enable existence. In the वेद, the word used for … Continue reading 04 Sri Lalitha Sahasranama – Translation and Commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables (41 – 60)
03 Sri Lalitha Sahasranama – Translation and Commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables (21 – 40)
सर्वारुणाऽनवद्याङ्गी सर्वाभरण-भूषिता । शिव-कामेश्वराङ्कस्था शिवा स्वाधीन-वल्लभा ॥ २१॥ सर्वारुणाऽनवद्याङ्गी: everything in red. Everything associated with Her is red. From Her red feet, all ब्रह्माण्ड get प्रकाश. श्रीरुद्र which says that अरुणा (the colour of the सूर्य at the time of dawn) is copper red in colour which is auspicious. ‘The colour of red is auspicious’ says श्रुति (वेद). Her original red colour then gives energy in … Continue reading 03 Sri Lalitha Sahasranama – Translation and Commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables (21 – 40)
02 Sri Lalitha Sahasranama – Translation and commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables (1 – 20)
ॐ श्रीमाता श्रीमहाराज्ञी श्रीमत्-सिंहासनेश्वरी । श्रीमाता - Mother who gives immeasurable wealth who removes all sorrows and gives only happiness; indicates also her role of creation. श्रीमहाराज्ञी - She who is the empress who takes care of the universe- indicates her role of protection श्रीमत्-सिंहासनेश्वरी - She who sits on the throne of lions-indicates her role of destruction … Continue reading 02 Sri Lalitha Sahasranama – Translation and commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables (1 – 20)
01 Sri Lalita Sahasranama Stotra – Translation & Commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables
ॐ श्री गुरुभ्यो नम: ॐ श्री मात्रे नम: Who exactly is देवी or शक्ति in the धर्म ज्ञान परम्परा? Who exactly is देवी or शक्ति in the धर्म ज्ञान परम्परा? Simple meaning of देवी is one who is a स्वयं-प्रकाश favourable शक्ति. It exists to help us and its presence enables us to live well. श्री ललिता देवी is however not a mere beneficial देवी but … Continue reading 01 Sri Lalita Sahasranama Stotra – Translation & Commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables
Remembering Dharma variables using numbers
The धर्म ecosystem is elaborate and there are lots of ideas or word ecosystem contained within itself. How does then a person remember all these ideas in order to anchor their existence to a life of धर्म? The ancient पुराण and इतिहास literature has various श्लोक contained within them where the ideas of धर्म are … Continue reading Remembering Dharma variables using numbers
Gita word-to-word commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables – Chapter 18
Chapter name is मोक्ष-संयासयोग Types of people and their Drishti अर्जुन उवाच संन्यासस्य महाबाहो तत्त्वमिच्छामि वेदितुम्। त्यागस्य च हृषीकेश पृथक्केशिनिषूदन।।18.1।। 18.1 अर्जुन said - O महाबाहो! O हृषीकेश! O केशिनिषूदन! I want (इच्छामि) to know (वेदितुम्) distinctly (पृथक्) the truth (तत्वं) about संन्यास (संन्यासस्य) as also about त्याग (त्यागस्य च). श्री भगवानुवाच काम्यानां कर्मणां न्यासं … Continue reading Gita word-to-word commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables – Chapter 18
Gita word-to-word commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables – Chapter 17
Chapter name is श्रद्धात्रय विभाग योग Life experience is aligned to our Guna orientation अर्जुन उवाच ये शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य यजन्ते श्रद्धयाऽन्विताः। तेषां निष्ठा तु का कृष्ण सत्त्वमाहो रजस्तमः।।17.1।। 17.1 "अर्जुन asked: O कृष्ण! Those who (ये) do यज्ञ (यजन्ते), casting away (उत्सृज्य) scriptural injunction (शास्त्र-विधिम्) yet being endowed (तु अन्विताः) with श्रद्धा (श्रद्धया), what is (का) their … Continue reading Gita word-to-word commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables – Chapter 17
Gita word-to-word commentary using Sanskrit translatables – Chapter 16
Name of chapter is दैव-असुर संपद् विभाग योग Two modes of lifestyles and their consequent journeys Pre-notes for Ch 16 Let us take a person who has taken up study of Engineering. He has to study hard for four years till he gets his degree. The four qualities stated in chapter fifteen may be taken as … Continue reading Gita word-to-word commentary using Sanskrit translatables – Chapter 16
Gita word-to-word commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables – Chapter 15
Chapter name is पुरषोत्तम योग Ashwattha Tree श्री भगवानुवाच ऊर्ध्वमूलमधःशाखमश्वत्थं प्राहुरव्ययम्। छन्दांसि यस्य पर्णानि यस्तं वेद स वेदवित्।।15.1।। 15.1 The भगवान said They say of (प्राहु:) the Imperishable (अव्ययम्) अश्वत्थ viz peepul Tree, which has its roots (मूलम्) at the top (ऊर्ध्वम्) and the branches (शाखम्) flowing downward (अध:), and its leaves (यस्य पर्णानि) are … Continue reading Gita word-to-word commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables – Chapter 15
Gita word-to-word translation using Sanskrit non-translatables – Chapter 14
Chapter name is गुणत्रय विभाग योग Understanding Guna श्री भगवानुवाच परं भूयः प्रवक्ष्यामि ज्ञानानां ज्ञानमुत्तमम्। यज्ज्ञात्वा मुनयः सर्वे परां सिद्धिमितो गताः।।14.1।। 14.1 The भगवान said - I will again (भूयः) declare (प्रवक्ष्यामि) that most profound knowledge (ज्ञानमुत्तमम्) of all knowledge (ज्ञानानां), having known which (यद् ज्ञात्वा) all the sages (सर्वे मुनयः) have gone to (गताः) … Continue reading Gita word-to-word translation using Sanskrit non-translatables – Chapter 14
Gita word-to-word commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables – Chapter 13
Knowing Srishti to know ourselves अर्जुन उवाच प्रकृतिं पुरुषं चैव क्षेत्रं क्षेत्रज्ञमेव च। एतद्वेदितुमिच्छामि ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं च केशव।।13.1।। 13.1 अर्जुन said! What I wish (इच्छामि) to know (वेदितुम्), O केशव! is this (एतद्), प्रकृति and पुरुष, the क्षेत्र and क्षेत्रज्ञ, ज्ञानं and ज्ञेयं श्री भगवानुवाच इदं शरीरं कौन्तेय क्षेत्रमित्यभिधीयते। एतद्यो वेत्ति तं प्राहुः क्षेत्रज्ञ इति तद्विदः।।13.2।। … Continue reading Gita word-to-word commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables – Chapter 13
Gita word-to-word commentary using Sanskrit non-translatabes – Chapter 12
Chapter named भक्ति योग Do we REALLY have multiple paths to Yoga? एवं सततयुक्ता ये भक्तास्त्वां पर्युपासते। येचाप्यक्षरमव्यक्तं तेषां केयोगवित्तमाः।।12.1।। 12.1 अर्जुन said Among those (तेषां) devotees (भक्ता:) who (ये), in this same way (एवं), are always dedicated (to You) (सततयुक्ता) and meditate onto (पर्युपासते) You (त्वां), and those again (who meditate) (ये च अपि) … Continue reading Gita word-to-word commentary using Sanskrit non-translatabes – Chapter 12
Gita word-to-word commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables – Chapter 11
Chapter named as विश्वरूपदर्शन योग अर्जुन उवाच मदनुग्रहाय परमं गुह्यमध्यात्मसंज्ञितम्। यत्त्वयोक्तं वचस्तेन मोहोऽयं विगतो मम।।11.1।। 11.1 अर्जुन said: This (अयं) delusion of mine (मम मोह:) has departed (विगत:) as a result of (तेन) that speech (वच:) which is most secret (परमं गुह्यम्) and known as (संज्ञितम्) pertaining to the आत्मन् (अध्यात्म), and which (यद्) was … Continue reading Gita word-to-word commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables – Chapter 11
Gita word-to-word commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables – Chapter 10
दशम अध्याय named as विभूति योग श्री भगवानुवाच भूय एव महाबाहो श्रृणु मे परमं वचः।यत्तेऽहं प्रीयमाणाय वक्ष्यामिहितकाम्यया।।10.1।। 10.1. The भगवान् - O महाबाहो ! Listen (श्रृणु) again (भूय एव) to My (मे) words (वचः) (revealing) the limitless (परमं). To you (ते) who are pleased (प्रीयमाणाय) at this (यद्), I will expound (अहं वक्ष्यामि), with a desire … Continue reading Gita word-to-word commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables – Chapter 10
Gita word-to-word commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables – Chapter 9
Chapter name is परंविद्यागुह्यविद्यानाम श्री भगवानुवाच इदं तु ते गुह्यतमं प्रवक्ष्याम्यनसूयवे। ज्ञानंविज्ञानसहितं यज्ज्ञात्वा मोक्ष्यसेऽशुभात्।।9.1। 9.1. The भगवान् said Whereas (तु) (apart from that travelling to various लोक), I will tell (प्रवक्ष्यामि) to you (ते), who is not inclined towards jealousy, (अन् असूयवे) this (इदं) most secret (गुह्यतमं ) knowledge (ज्ञानं), together with its assimilation (विज्ञान … Continue reading Gita word-to-word commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables – Chapter 9
Gita word-to-word commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables – Chapter 8
Name of this अष्टमोध्याय is अक्षरब्रह्मयोगो Akshara to Jiva अर्जुन उवाच किं तद्ब्रह्म किमध्यात्मं किंकर्म पुरुषोत्तम। अधिभूतं चकिं प्रोक्तमधिदैवंकिमुच्यते।।8.1।। 8.1 अर्जुन said O पुरुषोत्तम, what is that ब्रह्म? What is अध्यात्मं? What is कर्म? And what is अधिभूतं? What is that which is said to be अधिदैव? अधियज्ञः कथं कोऽत्रदेहेऽस्मिन्मधुसूदन। प्रयाणकाले च कथं ज्ञेयोऽसिनियतात्मभिः।।8.2।। 8.2 O मधुसूदन, what (क:), and how (कथम्), is … Continue reading Gita word-to-word commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables – Chapter 8
Gita word-to-word commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables – Chapter 7
सप्तम अध्याय: named as ज्ञानविज्ञानो योग Journey of a Yogi श्री भगवानुवाच मय्यासक्तमनाः पार्थ योगंयुञ्जन्मदाश्रयः। असंशयं समग्रं मांयथा ज्ञास्यसि तच्छृणु।।7.1।। 7.1. The भगवान् said O पार्थ! Please listen to that (तद् श्रुणु) by which, having your mind committed (आसक्त मनाः) to Me (मयि), practising योगं (योगं युञ्जनम्) and taking refuge in Me (मद् आश्रयः) you shall understand Me (मां ज्ञास्यसि) fully (समग्रं), … Continue reading Gita word-to-word commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables – Chapter 7
Gita word-to-word commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables – Chapter 6
षट् अध्याय named as ध्यानयोग श्रीभगवान् उवाच । अनाश्रितः कर्मफलं कार्यम् कर्म करोति यः। स सन्न्यासी च योगी च न निरग्निर्नचाक्रियः ॥६.१॥ श्रीभगवान् उवाच । The one who performs (करोति) कर्म that is to be done (कार्यम्) without depending (अनाश्रितः) on the फल of कर्म (कर्मफलम्), he (सः) is also (च) a सन्न्यासी and (च) a योगी, and (च) not (न) just the सन्न्यासी who has renounced all fire rituals (निरग्निः) and (च) who does not … Continue reading Gita word-to-word commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables – Chapter 6
Gita word-to-word commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables – Chapter 5
पञ्चम अध्याय referred to as सन्यास योग How various components operate within us अर्जुन: उवाच: संयासं कर्मणां कृष्ण पुनर्योगं च शंसति। यछ्रेय एतयोरेकं तन्मे ब्रूहि सुनिश्चितम् ।। (५:१) अर्जुन said: O श्रीकृष्ण, you praised कर्म संयास (renunciation of कर्म), and you also advised to do कर्मयोग . Please tell me (ब्रूहि) decisively (सुनिश्चितम्) which of the two is more beneficial? … Continue reading Gita word-to-word commentary using Sanskrit non-translatables – Chapter 5
Adhyatma Writings 