Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

Chinmaya Mission : Chinmaya Mission Madurai successfully hosted the 18th Year Summer Camp - LEAD 2023: Learn Eagerly; Act Dynamically. This event took place from April 29th to May 4th, 2023, with Swami Sivayogananda providing guidance. Approximately 135 children, aged 6 to 13, from various areas of Madurai enthusiastically participated in this enriching camp. The inauguration was graced by Sri. Janakiraman, Managing Director of Madurai Silver Palace Pvt Ltd. The camp's agenda encompassed a range of activities, including daily worship (Pooja), yoga sessions, value exploration, art and craft workshops, Vedic chanting, bhajans, talent development, and a glimpse into Indian traditions. As part of an educational excursion, the campers visited Arittapatti Village near Melur, Madurai. On the final day, the children paid tribute to their parents by performing Mathru Pooja, followed by diverse cultural performances. The camp provided lunch for both the participants and their parents. The Va...

 ========================================================================= Friday, May 05, 2023. 07:00. Introduction-3. ========================================================================= The Upanishad begins with a startling exposition of the very methodology adopted in the Upanishads. The method of the Upanishad is secret, esoteric and intended to go into the meaning of an action which is otherwise exoteric. The Vedas have one aspect, namely, the ritual aspect, the aspect of sacrifice, performance of religious ceremony, by the application of the Mantras of the Samhitas, as expounded in the section known as the Brahmanas. The Aranyakas go to the contemplative side of the Brahmanas, and tell us that a sacrifice need not necessarily be outward. It can also be inward; and the inward is as powerful as the outward. It can even be more powerful than the outward ritual. The ritual that is performed by the mind, say the Aranyakas, is more powerful in the production of effect than th...

======================================================================== Monday, April 24, 2023. 07:30. Introduction-2. ======================================================================== The seers of the Upanishads were bent upon entering into the kernel of Reality by casting off all vestures which condition human life, and attaining a kind of attunement with it. The unconditioned was plumbed and experienced. So, in a way, we may say that the Upanishadic texts are records of exclamations and experiences of Masters who set themselves in tune with the ultimate Truth. Such are the Upanishads. It is a very strange word, —‘Upanishad,'—which is supposed to mean a secret knowledge, not to be imparted to uninitiates or the common public who are wedded to the exoteric approach only, who are totally conditioned in their life, and who cannot rise above the bias of sense-life and social regulations. Hence, the Upanishadic wisdom was kept very secret. It was never given to anyone except t...

========================================================================= Tuesday, April 11, 2023. 07:00. Introduction-1. ========================================================================= In all principles which guide human life, there are two aspects known as the ‘exoteric' and the ‘esoteric'. The routine of daily life is mostly guided by what we call the exoteric principles which have a working value and a validity within the realm of human action. In this sense, we may say, the values which are called exoteric are relative, inasmuch as every activity in life is relative to circumstances. But, this exoteric mode of living, religious or secular, is based on another principle which is known as the esoteric value of life, because there must be some rationality behind our conduct in life, whatever be that conduct—religious or otherwise. Why do we go to the temple? Why do we go to the church? Why do we worship any god? Why should there be any kind of attitude at all? This ...

======================================================================== Sunday, March 26, 2023. 07:45. Chapter- III : FIRST BRAHMANA: SACRIFICIAL WORSHIP AND ITS REWARDS Mantras-7,8,9,10. Post-26. ========================================================================= Mantram-7. "In this sacrifice, how many Ṛg verses are used, and what types of verses are used? Can you tell me?" Yājñavalkya, iti hovāca, katibhir ayam adya ṛgbhir hotāsmin yajñe kariṣyatīti: "The Hotr, the Ṛg Vedic priest, performs the sacrifice by the recitation of a set of Ṛg Vedic Mantras." "What are those Mantras? Can you tell?" Tisṛbhir iti: "Three types are there," says Yājñavalkya. "These are used by the Hotr, the Ṛg Vedic priest." Katamas tas tisra iti: "Which are those three?" again Aśvala asks. Puro'nuvākyā ca yājyā ca śasyaiva tṛtīyā:  "The introductory verses which precede the principal chant, the Mantras that are connected directly with ...