Rituals and Karma in Vedic Religion

13min Snip

00:00

Play full episode

Summary

Transcript

Episode notes

This chapter explores the concept of Apurva in Vedic religious acts, discussing the rituals performed to generate good karma and desired outcomes. It delves into the limitations of ritualistic religion, the consequences of good and bad karma, and the temporary nature of heavenly realms. The chapter also touches on the continuation of rituals in modern Hinduism and the difference between conventional religion and spirituality.

Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches the Mundaka Upanishad which one of the major Upanishads belonging to the Atharva Veda. Mundaka means ''shaved'' like a shaved head. The teachings revealed in this Upanishad are meant to leave the student clean, or shaved of the veil of ignorance. Indeed, the study of this Upanishad has been traditionally confined to the shaven-heads, or the sannyasins, who have renounced everything and devoted themselves exclusively to contemplation. The book consists of 64 Mantras (verses) split across Mundakas (parts) and Khandas (sections) as follows: Mundaka 1 - Khanda 1 - 9 mantras (1.1.1 - 1.1.9) Mundaka 1 - Khanda 2 - 13 mantras (1.2.1 - 1.2.13) Mundaka 2 - Khanda 1 - 10 mantras (2.1.1 - 2.1.10) Mundaka 2 - Khanda 2 - 11 mantras (2.2.1 - 2.2.11) Mundaka 3 - Khanda 1 - 10 mantras (3.1.1 - 3.1.10) Mundaka 3 - Khanda 2 - 11 mantras (3.2.1 - 3.2.11) Reference books: 1. Mundaka Upanisad translated by Swami Gambhirananda - https://www.vedanta.com/store/mundaka... (or) 2. Eight Upanisads Vol. 2 translated by Swami Gambhirananda - https://www.vedanta.com/store/Eight-U... ► To support the Vedanta Society of New York: http://www.vedantany.org/donate Vedanta NY Archives: / vedantanewyorkarchives Web: http://vedantany.org Soundcloud: http://Soundcloud.com/VedantaNY iTunes Podcast: http://bit.ly/vedanta-talks-itunes Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5IrDmqX... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VedantaNY ABOUT VEDANTA Vedanta is one of the world’s most ancient religious philosophies and one of its broadest. Based on the Vedas, the sacred scriptures of India, Vedanta affirms the oneness of existence, the divinity of the soul, and the harmony of religions. ABOUT US Vedanta Society of New York is affiliated with the Ramakrishna Order of India. In fact, this is the Order's first Center started by Swami Vivekananda, in 1894. It was a historic event, for the seed of the world-wide Ramakrishna Movement was sown here in New York over a century ago. Swami Sarvapriyananda is the present Resident Minister and Spiritual Leader of the Vedanta Society of New York.