रमण महर्षींचे 'उपदेश सार'  हे फक्त ३० श्लोकांचे छोटेखानी पण अतिशय अर्थगर्भपुस्तक आहे. संपूर्ण अध्यात्म, वेदान्त आणि आत्मज्ञान, ह्यांचा अर्क या छोट्याशा ग्रंथात आहे.

अनेकदा आपल्याला वाटते की मोक्ष मिळवणे, ईश्वराला जाणणे किंवा मनाला शांत करणे ह्या सर्व गोष्टी खूप कठीण आहेत. पण रमण महर्षी सांगतात की, ह्या सर्वांसाठी स्वतःचा शोध घेणे हाच सर्वात सोपा आणि सरळ मार्ग आहे. हा ग्रंथ म्हणजे तुमच्या आध्यात्मिक प्रवासाची दिशादर्शक वाटचाल आहे.

यात रमण महर्षींनी प्रगतीचे ४ टप्पे अतिशय सोप्या रीतीने सांगितले आहेत:

१. कर्म मार्ग
सुरुवातीला माणूस फळाची अपेक्षा ठेवून कर्म करतो. पण केवळ कर्माने मोक्ष मिळत नाही, कारण कर्माचे फळ नष्ट होणारे असते. पण, जेव्हा आपण आपली कर्तव्ये 'ईश्वरार्पण बुद्धीने' (ईश्वराला समर्पित करून) आणि कोणतीही अपेक्षा न ठेवता करतो, तेव्हा आपले मन शुद्ध होते. आणि असे शुद्ध मन आत्मज्ञानासाठी तयार असते.

२. भक्ती आणि उपासना
मन शुद्ध झाल्यावर परमेश्वराचे नाव घेणे, पूजा करणे किंवा मनातल्या मनात त्याचे ध्यान करणे यामुळे मन एकाग्र होते. मूर्तीपूजेपेक्षा त्याचे चिंतन करणे श्रेष्ठ आहे आणि त्याहूनही श्रेष्ठ म्हणजे 'मी आणि परमेश्वर एकच आहोत' हा भाव मनात ठेवणे. यामुळे मनाची चंचलता थांबते.

३. योग आणि प्राणायाम
ज्यांचे मन खूप इकडेतिकडे धावते, त्यांच्यासाठी एक सोपा उपाय सांगितलेला आहे: प्राणायाम.

जसा एखादा पक्षी जाळ्यात अडकतो, तसेच प्राणायामाने मन नियंत्रणात येते. कारण श्वास आणि मन हे एकाच शक्तीच्या दोन शाखा आहेत. श्वास शांत झाला की मन आपोआप शांत होते.

४. ज्ञान मार्ग -  'मी कोण?'
हा या ग्रंथाचा महत्त्वपूर्ण गाभा. महर्षी म्हणतात: मन म्हणजे काय? मन म्हणजे दुसरं काही नसून केवळ सर्व विचार होत. आणि या सगळ्या विचारांच्या मुळाशी एकच मुख्य विचार असतो, तो म्हणजे 'मी'.

जेव्हा आपण बाहेरच्या जगाचा विचार सोडून मनालाच  विचारतो की, "हा 'मी' कुठून निर्माण होतोय? मी कोण आहे?", तेव्हा तो अहंकार हळूहळू नाहीसा होतो. जसा दिवा विझल्यावर प्रकाश मूळ स्रोतात विलीन होतो, तसेच मन आपल्या मूळ स्वरूपात (आत्म्यात) स्थिर होते. तिथे फक्त निखळ आनंद आणि शांतता उरते.

उपदेश सार का अभ्यासावे?

• वेळा: जाडजूड ग्रंथांचा अभ्यास करायला वेळ नसेल, तर हे ३० श्लोक कमी वेळात वेदान्ताचे परम सत्य समजून घ्यायला मदत करेल.
• थेट आणि सोपी पद्धत: गुंतागुंतीची पद्धत नाही. अंधश्रद्धा किंवा कठीण कर्मकांडांऐवजी थेट स्वतःच्या मनावर काम करा.
• मार्गदर्शन: जर ध्यान  करताना अडचणी येत असतील, वा मन शांत होत नसेल, तर हे पुस्तक तुम्हाला अचूक दिशा दाखवेल.

हे पुस्तक केवळ वाचण्यासाठी नाही, तर रोजच्या आयुष्यात अनुभवण्यासाठी आहे. याचे छोटे छोटे श्लोक आणि त्याचा अर्थ जेव्हा तुम्ही अभ्यासाल, तेव्हा तुम्हाला जाणवेल की ज्या शांततेचा शोध तुम्ही बाहेर घेत आहात, ती तुमच्या आतच आहे.

ह्या अभ्यासासाठी साहाय्यः 'उपदेश सार' चा शिस्तबद्ध पद्धतीने अभ्यास करण्यासाठी Chinmaya International Foundation (CIF) च्या अधिकृत वेबसाइटला भेट द्या. त्यामधील विविध कोर्सेस उपलब्ध आहेत. आणि अर्थातच तिथल्या पुस्तकाच्या दुकानात पुस्तकही उपलब्ध आहेच.

- Uma Patki

The Very First Impact

It was probably the year 1974, when Pujya Gurudev came to Hyderabad to conduct Geeta Jnana Yagna in Exhibition grounds, a famous ground for holding yearly exhibitions where thousands throng to see the famous exhibition of the year. 

My father took me to Pujya Gurudev’s yagna being conducted in exhibition grounds. I was studying 3rd class. The very first impact of seeing Gurudev was so deep on me. My father sat on the ground and of course near a speaker. Those big speakers were placed all around the ground and they were all on the floors, their size being very huge, the audio was very clear and loud. 

I sat beside my father and he gave me three instructions. Look into the face of Swamiji. You will notice his eyes as two glowing fire balls. The rays that emanate from his eyes are very powerful. If you can catch them, your life will be transformed.
Second instruction was – “Don’t ask me water or anything to eat.” 
Third instruction was - “Don’t ask me to take you to washroom. Sit quietly for 90 minutes.”  

Obviously, in the midst of thousands of listeners, we were sitting in, may be in tenth or eleventh row but near one of the speakers. My only entertainment was to see Gurudev’s face, his actions and moments of his hand moving over the BMI chart. Sometimes I used to look at the loud speaker itself and wonder what he is speaking, for I did not understand anything. Yes. When Gurudev used to crack a joke, I used to look at the others around me and was entertained by the various types of laughters of listeners around me. 

On the last day of the Yagna, when we went near the stage to collect the Yajna Prasad Pustika, my father nudged me to look into Gurudev’s eyes and offer namaskarams.

Thus, I feel I was initiated by Gurudev’s presence itself. It was powerful because I know how it has chiseled me and transformed me into what I am today. The transformative process, of course, still continues.

The very first encounter had taught me, as my father used to talk at home with my mother, (some days she used to accompany us for the Yagna) how Gurudev was punctual and how audience have to maintain pindrop silence in the ground. 

One of the days, when I did not go to Yagna that day but my father and mother went. It was raining when they both reached home fully drenched. My mother told me the experience of that day. It seems, as soon as Pujya Gurudev started the yagna, in five or ten minutes, it started raining. All the thousands of listeners started getting up to find the nearest shelter. The ground was not covered. Of course, Pujya Gurudev’s Yagna stage was covered, it had a canopy.

Seeing the rain which had just started and people getting up, Gurudev, as my mother told me, bent little forward to see the space outside and roared “Sit down. Rain will not disturb our Yagna.” Within a minute or so, the rain had stopped completely. Talk was over and here comes the declaration from Gurudev, “Go and find a nearest shelter for you. It is going to rain heavily.”
My mother said all of them found rain lashing at the ground from above and they all had to run literally to find some shelter nearby.

At that age of mine, I came to know that Gurudev can stop the rain for Yagnas. Of course, later on I found this was true, since many-a-times I had a direct experience of this.
Somewhere the journey began for all the devotees of Pujya Gurudev, but for me, that was my first  encounter with Gurudev. That was a surprise to me then, as a small boy. But not later, as I found this was a play for Pujya Gurudev.

Whatever it was, the very first encounter arose in me a great devotion, admiration and fascination towards such a great Master. 

Salutations at the feet of Pujya Gurudev, now and for ever.
OM TAT SAT

- Swami Chidrupananda

Steady wisdom signs

Verse 2.53:

Verse 2.54:

Arjuna asks, For the one with steady wisdom, i.e. the one who has a steady mind which is established in the Supreme Brahman, how does that person express?  What words does he use? How does he communicate with others? What is the nature of the absorbtion of the mind O Keshava? How does he talk? How does he walk? How does he sit and how does he move?
Through this question, Arjuna is actually asking about the qualities of a person of steady wisdom.
Avatarika: The one who has from the beginning, given up actions and are engaged in Karma yoga too, for those two types of people who are shown the means of practice by knowing the qualities of the man of steady wisdom, beginning from the verse, 'Prajahati,' until the end of the second chapter.

- Brahmacharini Sharanya Chaitanya.

The world has ushered in the era of AI - Artificial Intelligence. Today, AI systems are practically used in all walks of life, be they professional or personal. Be it any research, planning, documentation, presentation, data compilation or even medical surgery, AI has marked its place in the hearts of all and has lessened or replaced human intervention to a large extent. 

No doubt, AI is here to stay, and if used in a fruitful way it will prove to be a boon for the future. However, if one were to observe carefully, in general, for a layman, AI primarily works on inputs/data provided by a person and after processing the same with a simulation of human cognition, provides some output/response. Thus, usage of AI primarily involves 3 steps – input–process with simulation of human cognition–output. Further, the process of providing response/output is also based on the data/information available/accessible globally which may or may not be accurate/correct. In fact, we have seen that AI tools, on the internet, after providing the requisite output, provide a disclaimer/indication that the result can have mistakes/errors so the same ought to be checked with authentic sources.

If one were to ask the ultimate metaphysical question – the meaning and purpose of life and the means to attain eternal, perennial peace, satisfaction and bliss within oneself, would the AI tools be able to give a satisfactory answer and guidance? Can a broad and random question–answer session with the AI really solve all our doubts with respect to life? The answer is a clear no. For this, we need to connect with another higher AI – Ancient Intelligence.

This ‘Ancient Intelligence’ or source of wisdom is found in the pristine scriptural Yoga and Vedanta texts of Bharata such as the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads. These texts have inspired and guided all true seekers generation after generation. They contain the answers to all our core questions about life as well as provide the practical techniques to conduct our life in such a way that we may attain the highest joy and satisfaction within ourselves. Further, these timeless texts are the ‘personally experienced’ outcomes of our ancient hundreds of Rishis/Sages and therefore have no doubt regarding authenticity.  

Moving further, it is to be noted that one cannot assimilate and absorb the teachings contained in these scriptural texts by randomly or irregularly listening to a spiritual sermon or a podcast or reading a verse/shloka here and there. These teachings have to be regularly, systematically and carefully studied and the meaning thereof has to be fully understood. In fact, the term ‘Upanishad’ itself means ‘sitting and learning at or near the feet of the Guru or Spiritual Master.’ 

The systematic manner of study of these teachings is known by the term ‘Svadhyaaya’.

Bhagavan Shree Krishna in Chapter 16, verse 1 of the Bhagavad Gita prescribes ‘Svadhyaaya’ as one of the Daivik Sampatti or Divine Wealth of a person. Gurudev Swami Chinmayanandaji, in his commentary, Holy Geeta, on the said verse writes about ‘Svadhyaaya’ as under:

“STUDY OF THE SCRIPTURES (Swaadhyaaya) --- Traditionally, this term indicates regular study of the scriptures. Study of scriptural literature daily, in measured quantities, will provide the necessary inspiration to live the divine life in our day-to-day existence. But, scriptural study is indicated here by a very significant term (Swaadhyaaya = Swa + adhyaaya – Self-study), which in Sanskrit suggests that the study of the scriptures should not be merely an intellectual appreciation, but as the student reads the text-books, he must be able, simultaneously, to observe, analyse and realise the truth of what he is studying within his own life. Regular studies, coupled with regular practice (Yajna), will give us the courage to live in self-control of the sense-organs, which in its turn will supply us with steadiness in meditation for realising the Highest.”

To summarise the above, Svadhyaaya consists of the following:

Shravana (Listening/hearing)

• Daily and regular study (through listening or reading) with sincerity. Notes should be made wherever required.
• Studying in measured quantities (say 5 pages a day) 

Manana
(Reflection)

• Deep reflection, analysis and conclusion of what has been studied
• Endeavoring to recall/remember frequently of what has been studied

Nidhidhyasana (Application to life)

• Practicing the teaching and making it completely as a part of one’s daily life.

The various courses (on Vedanta, Yoga, Indian culture etc.) conducted by Chinmaya International Foundation (CIF) are beautifully designed to achieve the above goal. First of all, the courses are available online so the individual can access them any time and anywhere. Further, the courses are divided into systematically step-by-step measured audio/video lectures/sessions which the individual can watch/hear at his/her own pace. Further, after each session, the individual is to give an online examination which would help him/her learn, reflect and remember what has been taught in the session. Further, the courses are designed and structured in a manner so as to appeal to and be practically applicable to the needs of the modern world. Also, the courses cater to any person (whether a beginner having no knowledge or an advanced seeker) irrespective of his/her background and lead the aspirant from his/her respective level to the highest soul-satisfying level of wisdom and knowledge. 

It is also to be noted that the scriptures themselves instruct that a person must always continue to do Svadhyaaya as well as share the knowledge gained with others. In this regard, the Taittiriya Upanishad (1.11.1) states:

स्वाध्यायप्रवचनाभ्यांनप्रमदितव्यम्‌ 
Never neglect Swaadhyaaya (self-study) and Pravacana (teaching of scriptures).

So, let us all undertake the technique of Svadhyaaya (through courses such as those conducted by CIF) and get a fruitful access to the higher AI (Ancient Intelligence) of the scriptures and thereby achieve ultimate well-being, peace and satisfaction within ourselves! 

- Chaitanya Bhatt

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam: A Vedantic Voyage from Cosmos to Consciousness

Charting the Cosmic Course — The Map Before the Voyage

1. Adhikāri

The Worthy Seeker
At Naimisha woods the sages inquire,
For Truth alone their hearts aspire.
Suta speaks, and Vyasa finds,
A deeper thirst within his mind.
Parikshit, crowned yet ready to leave,
Seeks the wisdom that death can give.
Shuka arrives, the teacher bright,
And opens the path of eternal light.

2. Sādhanā

The Path Within
The king asks, "What must one do,
When life's last moment comes in view?"
Shuka teaches the cosmic form,
The Lord who shelters sun and storm.
Creation's secrets, Brahma's meditation,
The source behind this manifestation.
Hear and chant, remember the Name,
And turn the mind towards the Supreme Flame.

3. Sarga

The First Creation
Maitreya speaks to Vidura wise,
Of worlds that from the Lord arise.
From subtle nature, elements flow,
The cosmic seed begins to grow.
Kapila reveals wisdom deep,
Where Self awakens from its sleep.
Creation unfolds by Divine decree,
A universe born from Reality.

4. Visarga

Creation Through Beings 
Brahma creates through sons divine,
Daksha builds the mortal line.
Sati's grief and Shiva's might,
Dhruva's penance shines so bright.
Prithu restores the earth's lost grace,
A righteous king in dharma's place.
The world takes form through every being,
The Lord's own power in creation seen.

5. Sthāna

Order of the Whole
Rishabha teaches freedom's way,
Bharata's tale shows mind's sway.
The cosmos stands in ordered design,
Planets, worlds and realms align.
Attachment binds the noblest soul,
Awareness alone can make one whole.
Know your place in creation's plan,
And rise beyond the limited man.

6. Poṣaṇa

The Lord Who Protects
When Ajamila falls from grace,
The Name restores his forgotten place.
Chitraketu learns through joy and pain,
The soul is free from birth and chain.
The Lord protects those who call His name,
No heart is ever beyond His flame.
Through sorrow's night and darkness deep,
Divine compassion guards those who seek.

7. Ūti

The Seeds of Desire
Hiranyakashipu seeks worldly power,
Prahlada blooms in the darkest hour.
One heart demands the world obey,
One sees Narayana every day.
Desires shape the paths we choose,
The mind creates the chains we use.
The Lord appears as Narasimha's might,
To protect devotion's inner light.

8. Manvantara

The Cycles of Time
Many Manus rise and pass away,
Through cosmic ages, night and day.
Gajendra cries from the crocodile's hold,
And surrender breaks bondage old.
Ocean churns with poison and treasure,
Grace transforms the hidden pressure.
Bali offers all beneath Vamana's feet,
The ego bows in surrender complete.

9. Īśānukathā

Lives of the Devoted
The kings of old walk dharma's road,
Bearing the world's entrusted load.
Bhagiratha brings the Ganga stream,
Ambarisha lives the devotee's dream.
Rama shines with righteous grace,
Yayati learns desire's embrace.
The royal lines prepare the way,
For Krishna's glorious coming day.

10. Āśraya

The Supreme Refuge
In Gokula's lanes the flute notes rise,
Krishna's smile enchants the skies.
Putana falls, Kaliya yields,
Govardhana lifts above the fields.
Gopis love with hearts surrendered,
Mathura's tyrant lies defeated.
All searches end, all paths unite,
Krishna alone is the refuge bright.

11. Mukti

Freedom in Wisdom
The Yadavas leave, the Lord prepares,
Uddhava listens through tears and prayers.
The Gita of wisdom Krishna gives,
How the liberated seeker lives.
Twenty-four teachers nature reveals,
The truth that every moment seals.
Beyond all gunas, free and still,
The soul rests in the Divine Will.

12. Nirodha

Return to the Source
The age declines, the worlds withdraw,
Creation returns to the cosmic law.
Names and forms dissolve away,
Like lamps at the end of day.
The Bhagavata's river reaches the sea,
Where all becomes the One Reality.
The journey ends where it first began,
The Self alone, beyond time's span.

- Br.Sri Hari Krishna Ji

The supreme state

Verse 2.51:

Verse 2.52:

When the time comes when the impurities of the nature of delusion born without the right discrimination between the Self and the Not-Self by which the knowledge of the Self and not-Self are clearly known, the intellect does not get impure and travel through the channels of sense objects, that intellect transcendes the impure state and attains purity.
At that time, the being attains dispassion from benefits of what is to be heard from the Vedas and what was heard. The mind does not run after the objects of desires that have been described in the sacred texts too.
When does the person attain the result of Karma Yoga which is the identity with the Supreme, by the individual transcending the impurity of delusion and has got the refined discrimination of the Self ? If that is the question, listen.

- Brahmacharini Sharanya Chaitanya.

A balanced state of mind

Verse 2.49:

Verse 2.50:

The one endowed with an intellect balanced in all experiences, gives up competetly in this world, both the results of good and bad actions which are the experience of auspiciousness and misery. Their mind is pure through acquiring knowledge of the Self. Therefore through the integrity of a balanced mind, fight or engage in Action.
Yoga indeed is skill in action. In action which is one's own nature when one is engaged in action in the present moment, whether the results are successful or a failure have a balanced mind as an offering to Ishwara. That is the state of skill in action.
That is skill which even if it is of the nature of bondage, the actions with a balanced state of mind one gets freed off. Therefore be you endowed with a balanced state of mind.
Why so...? (...to be continued.)

- Brahmacharini Sharanya Chaitanya.

Balance of mind is Yoga

Verse 2.47:

Verse 2.48:

Be integrated and do actions only as an offering to Ishwara. Even there, let it be with the thought that may Ishwara be pleased with me and give up attachments O Dhananjaya.
Without attachment to results, the actions done born of pure Satwa guna capable of helping the individual to attanin knowledge of the Self, when you gain success in that or contrarily you are unsuccessful in the effort, among victory and defeat too, do actions by keeping the mind equal.
What is that Yoga standing on which a you do actions, it is said is the balance of mind between success and failure is called yoga.
Again further, united with that evenness of mind, work done as an offering to Ishwara, such actions....(will be continued in the next verse.)

- Brahmacharini Sharanya Chaitanya.