Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches the Mundaka Upanishad, discussing the limitations of lower knowledge in Vedic ritualism, the role of religion in pursuing desires and morality, the transition from conventional religion to spirituality, and the conflict between materialistic dreams and spiritual goals.
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Quick takeaways
Transition from lower knowledge to higher knowledge is essential for spiritual seekers, emphasizing the limitations of rituals and actions prescribed in the Vedas.
Knowledge is the key to attaining the imperishable ultimate reality and liberating oneself from the cycle of birth and death, highlighting the need to seek higher knowledge beyond temporary benefits.
The transition from conventional religion to spirituality, embracing the pursuit of higher knowledge, necessitates renunciation of lower goals and seeking guidance from a knowledgeable teacher.
Deep dives
The Transition from Lower Knowledge to Higher Knowledge
This podcast episode explores the transition from lower knowledge to higher knowledge, as described in the Mundaka Upanishad. The teacher explains that lower knowledge consists of rituals and actions aimed at fulfilling desires in this world and the next, such as attaining wealth or going to heaven. However, the teacher criticizes these rituals, highlighting their limitations and the cycle of birth and death that they perpetuate. The higher knowledge, on the other hand, leads to the realization of the imperishable ultimate reality, which can liberate one from the cycle of samsara. The episode also emphasizes the importance of examining the worldly pursuits acquired through lower knowledge and seeking the guidance of a knowledgeable teacher in order to attain the higher knowledge.
The Limitations of Karma
Karma, or ritualistic action, is criticized for being limited and incapable of providing lasting fulfillment. While performing rituals and actions prescribed in the Vedas can lead to temporary benefits, such as material wealth or heavenly experiences, they still keep one within the cycle of birth and death. The episode highlights that knowledge is the key to attaining the imperishable ultimate reality and liberating oneself from the limitations of karma. It also emphasizes that seeking higher knowledge and the realization of the infinite should be the ultimate goal, rather than being content with the limited benefits derived from karma.
The Transition to Spiritual Pursuits
The episode explains that the transition from lower knowledge to higher knowledge is open to all spiritual seekers, regardless of age or stage in life. It emphasizes the importance of examining the limitations of worldly pursuits and realizing the need for spiritual pursuit. Renunciation of lower goals and a dedicated commitment to seeking higher knowledge are seen as essential for those pursuing spiritual enlightenment. Seeking guidance from a knowledgeable teacher is emphasized as an important step on the path to attaining higher knowledge and liberation.
Renouncing Lower Knowledge
The importance of evaluating the limitations of lower knowledge and realizing the need for higher knowledge is highlighted. The transition from conventional religion to spirituality is emphasized as a crucial step towards seeking true fulfillment and liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The episode also explores the concept of renunciation, both in its physical and mental forms, as a means to embrace the pursuit of higher knowledge and spiritual evolution.
The Quest for Ultimate Reality
The episode encapsulates the quest for ultimate reality and the importance of shifting from the pursuit of worldly desires to seeking higher knowledge. It emphasizes that the pursuit of fulfillment through conventional religion and rituals is limited, whereas the pursuit of higher knowledge leads to spiritual liberation and realization of the imperishable ultimate reality. Seeking the guidance of a knowledgeable teacher and cultivating a mindset that values spiritual pursuits are emphasized as essential for the journey towards realizing the infinite.
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...
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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.
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