Author: Swami Sivananda
Publisher: Divine Life Society
Year: 2014
Language: English
Pages: 150
ISBN/UPC (if available): NA
Description
Vedanta literally means the end, conclusion or the culmination of the Veda. It is comprised of the Upanishads. It deals with the transcendental science of the Atman, or Brahma Jnana.
It is the philosophical portion expounding the nature of the Atman, whereas the first portion of the Vedas, the Karma-Kanda deals with ritualistic observances and sacrifices. Vedanta expounds the true nature of the Self, declares that Brahman, the Supreme Self alone is real, the world and the diverse phenomena are unreal, and the individual soul is identical with Brahman.
The Upanishads and the Brahmasutras are the most authoritative works on the Vedanta. Upon these intricate texts numerous voluminous complicated commentaries by several great Acharyas like Shankara, Ramanuja, Madhva, Nimbarka, Vallabha, have been written. They are extremely difficult and very lengthy works. And the language too is difficult Sanskrit. Therefore, to give a clear understanding of the basic principles of Vedanta philosophy in easy and simple manner these few lessons are given.
They present the truths and the details of Vedanta philosophy in a way that can be read and understood by all and remembered without difficulty. This will give a good idea of the main outlines of the Vedanta philosophy, the details of which could be filled in later through a study of the bigger works. This is a groundwork for detailed Vedantic study. It equips the student with a preliminary knowledge of the Vedanta.
Contents
Preface
Vedantic Kirtan
Vedanta Explains
Attributes of Brahman
Upanishad-Jyoti
BOOK ONE
BASES OF VEDANTA
Introduction
Three bodies
Gross body
Subtle body
Causal body
Five sheaths
Gunas
Adhyaropa Apavada
Avidya
How to transcend the sheaths
The sheaths are not the Atma
Thy real Nature
Sadhana
Moksha
Three Avasthas
BOOK TWO
VEDANTA PRASHNOTTARI
1. Anubandhachatushtaya
2. Karma and Upasana
3. Definition of Brahman
4. Maya and Avidya
5. Vairagya
6. Jahad-Ajahad-Lakshana
7. Shravanachat ushtaya
8. Evolution of the universe
9. Duhkha-parampara
10. Pain not the essential nature of the Atma
11. Sat-Chid-Ananda are one
12. Atma different from the three states
13. Uniqueness of knowledge of Brahman
14. Brahma-jnana and Moksha
15. Adhyaropa and Apavada
16. Three Kinds of Satta
17. Three Bhavanas
18. Shad-Lingas
19. Purushatantra and Vastu-Tantra
20. Karma and Avidya
21. Swarupajnana and Ignorance
22. Krama-Srishti and Yugapat-Srishti
23. Eternity of the Self
24. Jnana-Bhumikas
25. Two kinds of Granthas
26. Vrittivyapti and Phalavyapti
27. Asti-Bhati-Priya-Nama-Rupa
28. Avacchhedavada and Pratibimbavada
29. Moksha
30. Fruit of Nididhyasana
BOOK THREE
CATECHISMAL UPANISHADS
Sarvasara Upanishad
Niralamba Upanishad
BOOK FOUR
CATEGORIES IN VEDANTA
Introduction
The Categories
BOOK FIVE
DRIK-DRISHYA-VIVEKA
Seer and the seen
Superimposition
The two Shaktis
Creation
Meditation
Six Samadhis
Analysis of the Self
Three kinds of Jivas
BOOK SIX
ATMA-BODHA
Introduction
Means for Moksha
Nature of the world
Sthula-Sharira
Sukshna-Sharira
Adhyasa
Ahamkara
Neti-Neti Doctrine
Vedanta Sadhana
Fruits of Self-realisation
Vision of a Jnani
Jivanmukti
Nature of Brahman
BOOK SEVEN
WHO AM I?
I. The supreme aspiration - Body is not the I
II. Senses are not the I
III. Prana is not the I
IV. Mind is not the I
V. Intellect is not the I
VI. Causal body is not the I
VII. The Truth behind forms
VIII. The Changeless among the changing
IX. Qualifications of the aspirant
X. The nature of the mind
XI. The ‘I’ is the Atma.
BOOK EIGHT
VEDANTA FOR BEGINNERS
Introduction
Karma
Who is a Killer of Atma
Renunciation
Upasana
Control of Senses
Mind and Its Works
Guru and the Disciple
Vedantic Ethics
Brahman
Brahman is Bliss
Ishwara and Jiva
Maya
Projection of the World
Sheaths of the body
Samadhi
Vedantic Sadhana
Obstacles in Sadhana
The Jnani
Vedantic Assertions
PHILOSOPHY OF RAGA-DWESHA
ADHYAROPA OR SUPERIMOPSITION
‘I’ IS THE SOUL AND NOT THE BODY
ILLUSTRATIONS IN VEDANTA (NYAYAS)
WAKING EXPERIENCE IS AS FALSE AS DREAM
WAKING EXPERIENCE HAS RELATIVE REALITY LIKE DREAM
SIVA JNANAMRITA UPANISHAD
SIVA-VIDYA
PSEDUO-VEDANTIC STUDENT
VEDANTA IN ALPHABET