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Gurupoornima Retreat - 2024 - Discourse based on Bhagavad Gita followed by Q/A.

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In this exposition, Swamiji exhorts the listeners to understand that Bhagavad Gita is a ‘Yoga Shastra’ which was given by Sri Krishna to empower and enable Arjuna to fight and win the war. It was a secular gospel given in the battle of Kurukshetra. There are many verses in Bhagavad Gita where there is no reference to God or Soul, but it still conveys a wholesome, full message for a spiritual practitioner.

In his message of immortality, Sri Krishna says that the ‘I’ (the self) is omni-present, unlimited, changeless, stable. Giving the formula for living life, he says that Sukha and duhkha are the only two mental responses to all interactions. One must be equal towards them and accept them. A seeker must have an impartial, even attitude towards sukha and duhkha, victory and defeat. This evenness can be applied in any life situation.

One must do all work being established in Yoga and drop all delusional clinging. The mind must preserve an even attitude to success and failure. This evenness of mind or Samatva is the Yoga or an attitudinal orientation of the mind. Bhagavad Gita says that one who is able to remain unaffected and unagitated by all experiences (like the ocean remains unmoved by the inflowing rivers), is the one who attains peace.

The body, which is within the fold of nature, is governed by the three gunas-Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. They propel the human to be active. So, one cannot escape activity ever; it is the demand and persuasion of nature. But, while remaining active one must orient the mind in such a manner that whatever one proposes to achieve through contemplation, can be achieved through activity also.

Sri Krishna makes a thorough analysis of the human personality. The senses are superior to the objects of the world; mind is superior to the senses; intelligence is superior to the mind. But the Soul (I, our real identity) is still superior. Swamiji urges seekers to understand that we possess this infinite, inexhaustible, inner wealth.

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About us:
Narayanashrama Tapovanam, an Ashram located in Thrissur, Kerala, embodies the unique tradition of Guru-shishya Parampara, disseminating Brahmavidya (Science of Self-knowledge) through regular classes, satsangs, and above all, through learning in the association of a realized spiritual master.