Vedanta Talks - Swami Sarvapriyananda
Vedanta Society of New York
Swami Sarvapriyananda delivers insightful talks on Vedanta at the Vedanta Society of New York, an institution founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1894. Vedanta, rooted in the ancient Vedas, is one of the world’s oldest and most expansive spiritual philosophies. It emphasizes the oneness of all existence, the divinity of the individual soul, and the harmony among all religions, offering timeless wisdom for personal and spiritual growth. Through these talks, Swami Sarvapriyananda explores profound spiritual truths, making Vedanta’s teachings relevant to modern seekers.Vedanta Society of New YorkApple PodcastSpotify PodcastDonations to support Vedanta Society of New York gratefully accepted via PaypalAll Original Content © Vedanta Society of New York
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 21, 2026 • 1h 14min
2. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad - Yajnavalkya and Maitreyi Samvada: Introduction continued...
Dive deep into the intriguing concepts of the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad! Discover the profound dialogue between Yajnavalkya and Maitreyi about love and spirituality. Explore the Advaita interpretation of the Purnamada mantra and its relationship to Brahman, Jiva, and Jagat. Examine Bhattri Prapanchya's critiques and Shankaracharya's rebuttals on the nature of Brahman. Reflect on the practical fruits of realizing Purnam, embracing freedom from fear and suffering, while uncovering the essence of non-dual identity!
Jan 21, 2026 • 1h 12min
167. Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 14, Verses 16 - 20 | Swami Sarvapriyananda
Explore the fascinating dynamics of the three gunas: sattva, rajas, and tamas. Discover how actions yield different results—purity, pain, or ignorance. Delve into the post-death journeys influenced by these gunas. Learn the importance of seeing them as the doers while recognizing the self as the witness. Uncover practical steps to transcend their binding nature and achieve lasting bliss. The wisdom of realizing one's true self beyond the mind's limitations is key to immortality and freedom from suffering.
Jan 17, 2026 • 57min
Gospel | Chapter 5: Oct 27, 1882 (Part 4) | Swami Sarvapriyananda
Swami Sarvapriyananda explores the profound teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, focusing on the harmony of religions and the multifaceted nature of Kali. He delves into the interplay between Brahman and Shakti, explaining the universe's creation through powerful metaphors like the spider's web. The discussion includes the Shakta view of liberation and the essential role of grace, while also emphasizing that spiritual life can thrive within worldly duties. Listeners gain practical advice on devotion, discipline, and the transformative power of the mind.
Jan 12, 2026 • 1h 11min
1. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad - Yajnavalkya and Maitreyi Samvada
Delve into the depths of the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, exploring its significance in Vedanta. Discover the intriguing dialogue between Yajnavalkya and Maitreyi on love and spirituality. Unpack the Purnam mantra, revealing its philosophical richness through the concepts of absolute infinity and the identity of God and self. Learn about the emergence of the relative from the absolute and the implications of Vedantic practices for realizing one's true nature. Conclude with a discussion on the critiques of dualist readings and the essence of Brahman.
Jan 12, 2026 • 59min
166. Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 14, Verses 11 - 15 | Swami Sarvapriyananda
Explore the intriguing dynamics of the three gunas: sattva, rajas, and tamas, as Swami Sarvapriyananda unpacks their influence on our lives. Discover how predominance of sattva brings clarity and awareness, while rajas leads to restlessness and tamas signifies inertia. With vivid anecdotes from monastic life, learn about finding balance between busyness and mindfulness. Delve into the spiritual implications of these qualities, including the impact on death and rebirth based on one's dominant guna.
Jan 12, 2026 • 1h 11min
165. Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 14, Verses 6 - 10 I Swami Sarvapriyananda
Explore the captivating teachings of the Bhagavad Gita as the discussion dives into the three gunas: sattva, rajas, and tamas. Discover how sattva, though pure and luminous, can bind through attachments to happiness and knowledge. Rajas drives passion and action, while tamas represents ignorance and laziness. Learn about the transformative power of karma yoga, the dangers of intellectualism, and practical ways to cultivate a more sattvic life. Gain insights on designing a sustainable spiritual routine for lasting growth.
Jan 12, 2026 • 1h 2min
164. Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 14, Verse 6 I Swami Sarvapriyananda
Swami Sarvapriyananda delves into the Bhagavad Gita's teachings on the three gunas: sattva, rajas, and tamas. He explains how sattva promotes purity and illumination while binding the self to happiness and knowledge. The talk highlights the importance of self-application, avoiding mislabeling others, and emphasizes spiritual growth from tamas to sattva. Engaging anecdotes, including Sri Ramakrishna’s analogies, illustrate the dynamics of these qualities in daily life. Swami warns against attachment to spiritual happiness, urging listeners to transcend mental states.
Jan 6, 2026 • 1h 13min
Gospel | Chapter 5: Oct 27, 1882 (Part 3) | Swami Sarvapriyananda
Swami Sarvapriyananda explores the diverse paths of jnana, bhakti, and yoga, revealing their shared essence. He contrasts ordinary ignorance with the transcendence of jnani reasoning and the devotional view of the world as God's glory. Personalizing the impersonal, he discusses the significance of relationships in devotion, highlighting different attitudes like friendship and motherhood. The rich tapestry of yogic traditions is woven into his narrative, showcasing the harmony of various spiritual paths and their impact on our understanding of existence.
4 snips
Jan 6, 2026 • 1h 2min
Isha Upanishad | Mantras 17 - 18 | Swami Sarvapriyananda
Explore the profound teachings of the Isha Upanishad as Swami Sarvapriyananda delves into mantras about liberation. Discover the contrast between immediate and sequential liberation, and the role of karma and upasana in leading to divine realms. Analyze the poignant dying prayer that merges prana with cosmic energy, as well as the symbolic significance of fire in rituals. Hear insights into enlightenment, the nature of death, and Vivekananda's interpretation of seeing divinity in everything. A journey through consciousness awaits!
Jan 4, 2026 • 1h 19min
Ask Swami with Swami Sarvapriyananda | Dec 28th, 2025
In this enlightening session, Swami Sarvapriyananda engages with audience members on profound topics. He explores the nature of pure experience and Brahman, challenging perceptions of consciousness and identity. Questions range from whether enlightened beings can manipulate time to the potential for AI to achieve consciousness. Swami offers insights on meditation for liberation, the significance of Ishta Devata, and the role of living cells in artificial intelligence. His nuanced discussion blends ancient philosophy with modern dilemmas, making for a thought-provoking dialogue.
