Lecture Notes on Upanishads and Ashtavakra Gita with Swami Sarvabriyananda

Introduction

• Guest speaker: Swami Sarvabriyananda
• Expert on Upanishads and Ashtavakra Gita
• Current fellow at Harvard Divinity School
• Focus of discussion: Key messages of Upanishads; mention of Ashtavakra Gita

What are Upanishads?

• Definition: Central texts of Hinduism, source of Hindu philosophy and spirituality
• Components of Vedas:
  • Karmakanda (rituals)
  • Gyanakanda (knowledge and philosophy)
• Significance:
  • Upanishads form the Gyanakanda, known as Vedanta (final teaching/conclusion of Vedas)
  • They represent the ultimate meaning of the vast body of Vedic texts
• Number of Upanishads:
  • Around 10-11 Upanishads chiefly commented on by Adi Shankaracharya
  • Notable Upanishads: Isha, Kena, Katha, Mundaka, Mandukya, Aitareya, Taittiriya, Chhandogya, Brihadaranyaka
  • Mention of a verse memorized by monks as syllabus

Importance of Specific Upanishads

• Mandukya Upanishad:
  • Only 12 mantras, considered sufficient for liberation (Moksha)
• Isha Upanishad:
  • Mahatma Gandhi's quote about its essential message: "Renounce and enjoy."
• Key Message of Isha Upanishad:
  • Acknowledge the pervasiveness of Brahman in everything
  • Engage in life while recognizing this truth

Experiences with Upanishads

• Reading Upanishads often leads to feelings of elation due to their deep resonance with our inner selves
• Deep intuition: Teaches that we are not limited but are, in fact, infinite
• Chandogya Upanishad: "Nalpe sukham asti" – Real happiness is in the infinite, not in the limited

Key Messages of Upanishads

• Core teachings summarized in five key ideas:
  1. Om: Represents the ultimate reality
  2. Tatvamasi: "That Thou Art"
  3. Aham Brahmasmi: "I am Brahman"
  4. Ayam Atma Brahma: "This very self is Brahman"
  5. Prajnanam Brahma: "Consciousness is Brahman"
• Mahavakyas: Key sentences that express the identity of the individual self and the ultimate reality

Methods of Investigation in Vedanta

• Dhrigdhrishya Viveka: Distinction between seer and seen
• Avastatraya Vichara: Investigation into waking, dreaming, and deep sleep states
• Panchakosha Vichara: Investigation into five layers of human personality:
  • Annamaya Kosha (body)
  • Pranamaya Kosha (vital force)
  • Manomaya Kosha (mind)
  • Vijnanamaya Kosha (intellect)
  • Anandamaya Kosha (bliss, the Atman)

Stories from Upanishads

• Nachiketa and Yama:
  • A conversation about the nature of reality and the quest for understanding beyond death
• Janaka and Yajnavalkya:
  • Discussion on the ultimate reality and the nature of existence

Vedanta and Other Religions

• Impersonal Truth: Vedanta suggests a core truth underlying all religions
• Vivekananda's Perspective: Science of religion, allowing a universal understanding of divinity and existence

The Role of Technology in Spiritual Spread

• Influence of Technology: Platforms like YouTube have increased interest in Upanishads and spiritual teachings
• Historical Introduction to West: Anquetil Duperon's translation of the Upanishads, Schopenhauer's admiration for them

Personal Background of Swami Sarvabriyananda

• Grew up in Bhubaneswar, India
• Influenced by parents connected to Ramakrishna Mission
• Studied management but chose to pursue monastic life for spiritual exploration

Ashtavakra Gita

• Context: A dialogue between sage Ashtavakra and King Janaka
• Nature of the Text: A direct expression of non-dualistic philosophy, focusing on the essence of reality
• Key Verses:
  1. Verse on Ocean and Boat: The universe as a boat in the infinite ocean of existence, observing life serenely
  2. Verse on Ocean and Wave: Acknowledging the universe as waves arising from the ocean, where the ocean remains unchanged
  3. Verse on Imagination: The universe as an imagination; the ocean is untouched by the rise and fall of waves

Conclusion

• Swami Sarvabriyananda shares profound insights into the teachings of Upanishads and Ashtavakra Gita
• The messages of these ancient texts continue to resonate and offer transformative understanding in contemporary life.