February 16, 2023 Class Notes by Abhiram Bhashyam

Introduction

A lovely saying in Sanskrit (words of wisdom) for how learning happens. Learning happens in four ways:

1.     Acharyat – ¼ of learning comes from one’s guide

2.     Svamedhaya – ¼ comes from one’s own effort

3.     Brahmacharibyah– ¼ comes from one’s seeker/community

4.     Kalakramenacha – ¼ comes from the passage of time

So much of what we experience is indirect or solo, but the Practices to Perfection course is an experience where all of these ways of learning are experienced. Feel refreshed in this course. As you associate, so you think. As you think, so you develop. In practice 13, we started a special journey on association and we’ll review all of that leading up to the current verse.

Review

Verse 2, Practice 13: sadvidvānupasṛpyatāṃ: Translation:  Follow to surrender to the one who is followed or surrendered to divinity. Our practice: Study Happiness. To teach happiness, we have to study happiness. You cannot serve if you yourself are not part of a study group.

Verse 2, Practice 14: pratidanam tatpaduka sevyatam: Translation: Serve the feet of the Master/Guide. Our practice: Visualize Guide. As we go to Ayodhya, remember that you are not born a Hindu. You can only call yourself a Hindu in a meaningful way if you fathom what Sanatana Dharma is, then you follow it, then you further it. Sanatana Dharma is not a statistic, it is a sentiment.

Verse 2, Practice 15: brahmaikaksaramarthyatam: Translation: The Infinite, expressed as Aum- feel this as being meaningful.  Our practice: Invoke pages – on every page that you can, write Aum. Awareness allows us to engage in waking, dreaming, sleeping. Live in a reflective rather than robotic way.

Verse 2, Practice 16: srutisirovakyam samakarnyatam: Translation: Actively listen to Vedanta/Upanishads. Our practice: Write notes. When one is more organized, that enables one to engage in svadhyaya – getting to know yourself.

Verse 3, Practice 17:vakyarthasca vicaryatam: Translation: Reflect upon Vedanta. Our practice: Walk freely. 

Verse 3, Practice 18: srutisirahpaksah samasriyatam: Translation: Contemplate/Immerse yourself upon Vedanta. Our practice: Sit still

Verse 3, Practice 19: dustarkatsuviramyatam: Translation: Typically, ‘du’ tends to be negative. Dustarka means negative logic or wrong thinking. Suviramyatam means to avoid this or not give into wrong logic. Our practice: Eat alone

Verse 3, Practice 20: srutimatastarko nusandhiyatam: Translation: Srutimatastarka means the right thinking aligned with the scripture. Anusandhiyatam means to follow. Be dedicated to right thinking. Our practice: Ask the wise

Verse 3, Practice 21: brahmasmiti vibhavyatam: Translation: Intensely feel you are Infinite. According to Swami Chinmayananda’s translation, this reads as, “always be absorbed in the attitude, ‘I am Brahman.’” Our practice: Label less

Verse 3, Practice 22: aharahargarvah parityajyatam: Translation: Again and again, let go of arrogance and give up pride. Our practice: Return dedication

Verse 3, Practice 23: dehe hammatirujhyatam: Translation: Give up, “I am body.” Feel that you are more than this body – you are Infinite. Keep disidentifying. Our practice: Help bodies.

Discourse

Verse 3, Practice 24: budhajanairvadah parityajyatam

Translation: Give up arguing with those who are wise.

Absolute – In the beginning of Bhagavad Gita, Prince Arjuna asks Shri Krishna how the wise walk/sit/stand/speak. In our culture, we are taught that when interacting with the most wise: walk behind, sit/stand after them, ask permission to speak. This culture is like that so we start to think like a wise person. To think like the wise, we have to give up ordinary living.

Relative – When you walked into satsang, your life changed forever. This is why the one who has introduced you to satsang is your best friend. Satsang allows us to keep moving forward.

Our Practice (RAW for the week) – Prostrate openly. Whenever you are with someone wise, prostrate.

RAW debrief: Last week, the RAW was to return dedication and help bodies. If you understand, then you are unaffected. If you understand how much you are given, then you will keep giving.

Discussion: Which of the 12 sadhanas (from 13-24) is easiest for you and why?